Cat has eaten paracetamol
Paracetamol kills cats — even one tablet is potentially fatal; phone the vet now and head straight to the practice.
In the next 60 seconds
- Phone the vet immediately.
- Bring packaging.
- Note time and amount.
- Drive to the practice without delay.
Recognise the signs
- Vomiting, drooling
- Lethargy, weakness, depression
- Brown or chocolate-coloured gums (methaemoglobinaemia)
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face and paws
- Collapse, death
First aid steps
- Phone the vet immediately.
- Bring packaging.
- Note time and amount.
- Drive to the practice without delay.
Do NOT
- NEVER give a cat paracetamol.
- Do not induce vomiting at home.
- Do not delay — antidote works only early.
While transporting to the vet
- Bring packaging.
- Phone ahead — N-acetylcysteine and oxygen will be prepared.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Any known ingestion regardless of amount
- Brown gums, weakness, breathing difficulty
Common causes
- Owner-administered (well-meaning, mistaken belief it's safe)
- Tablet dropped on the floor
- Children's medications
- Bin-raiding
What the vet will need to know
- Tablet strength
- Number of tablets
- Time of ingestion
- Cat's weight
Aftercare
- N-acetylcysteine antidote, IV fluids, oxygen, possibly transfusion.
- Hospitalisation 48–72 hours.
- Even with treatment, prognosis can be poor with delays.
Prevention
- Never give a cat any human medication.
- Lock medications away.
- Brief children — cats are not small dogs.
Frequently asked questions
Why is paracetamol so dangerous to cats?
Cats lack the liver enzyme needed to metabolise paracetamol safely. Even a single 250mg tablet can be fatal to an average cat.
Are cats more sensitive than dogs?
Drastically so. A dose that causes liver damage in dogs is fatal in cats.
What can I give my cat for pain?
Only vet-prescribed cat-specific medication. Never human painkillers.