Can cats eat Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks)?
No. Caffeine is a stimulant that cats metabolise poorly. Coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola, and caffeine tablets are all dangerous.
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Key facts
- Verdict: No — dangerous to cats. Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks) should never be given deliberately.
- Category: Drink
- Onset: Signs can start 30–60 minutes — see the full timeline below.
- If it's already happened: Call your vet now, or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, charges apply) — see the emergency steps below.
If your cat has just eaten caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks)
- Note what was consumed and roughly how much.
- Call your vet immediately. Caffeine acts fast.
- If you can't reach your vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7.
- Do not give coffee, food, or water in an attempt to 'neutralise' it.
What's the full picture?
Caffeine is a methylxanthine — the same class of compound as theobromine in chocolate. Cats are far more sensitive to methylxanthines than humans; a dose that causes a mild buzz in a person can cause serious cardiac and neurological toxicity in a cat. There is no safe threshold for giving caffeine to cats intentionally.
The most likely real-world exposures are tea and coffee. A mug of brewed coffee contains 80-100mg of caffeine; a mug of black tea contains 30-50mg. Both are enough to cause significant toxicity in an average 4-5 kg adult cat. Green tea contains 20-45mg per cup. Herbal teas are generally caffeine-free (check the label), but camomile, pennyroyal, and some other herbal teas have their own toxicity risks in cats.
Energy drinks are particularly dangerous — a standard 250ml can contains 80-160mg of caffeine, often combined with taurine (fine), B-vitamins (fine), and sugar (problematic). The caffeine component alone makes them a high-risk exposure. Keep energy drinks out of cat reach.
Caffeine tablets, diet pills, pre-workout supplements, and certain headache medications contain concentrated caffeine (100-200mg per tablet). These are the highest-risk caffeine source — a single tablet accidentally dropped can cause serious poisoning in a cat.
Signs of caffeine toxicity appear within 30-60 minutes of ingestion: restlessness, rapid or irregular heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tremors, and in severe cases, seizures. If your cat has ingested any significant caffeine source, don't wait for symptoms — call your vet or Animal PoisonLine on (0)1202 509000.
Symptoms to watch for
Hidden sources you might not think of
- Coffee grounds and used coffee pods
- Tea bags (used or unused)
- Energy drinks (Red Bull, Monster, Relentless)
- Caffeine tablets (Pro Plus)
- Pre-workout powders
- Chocolate (also contains caffeine)
Safer alternatives
- Fresh water is the only drink cats need
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Cat owner essentials
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Questions owners ask
My cat licked coffee — is that a problem?
A small lick of a weak latte is low risk, but espresso, strong coffee, or energy drinks are immediate vet territory. Size and strength matter.
My cat drank a small amount of tea or coffee. What should I do?
A small lap of tea or coffee — less than a teaspoon — is unlikely to cause serious harm in an adult cat, but monitor for restlessness, rapid breathing, or tremors for the next hour. Cats are much more sensitive to caffeine than humans; a full mug of strong coffee or a caffeine tablet is a vet emergency. When in doubt, call your vet.
How much caffeine is dangerous for cats?
The toxic dose of caffeine in cats is approximately 20-40mg/kg, and the lethal dose is around 80-150mg/kg. A standard mug of brewed coffee contains 80-100mg of caffeine — enough to cause significant toxicity in an average 4-5 kg cat. Energy drinks contain 80-160mg per can and are particularly dangerous. Even tea (30-50mg per mug) should be kept away from cats.
A cat water fountain encourages drinking, which supports the kidneys — worthwhile for any cat that's had a dietary scare.
Recommended for cat owners
Related
Sources referenced for this guidance
- Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) — UK clinical toxicology reference used by vets
- International Cat Care — feline-specific clinical guidance
- BSAVA — British Small Animal Veterinary Association reference materials
- Merck Veterinary Manual — professional veterinary reference
About this guidance
Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.
This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.
Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team