Is Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) dangerous for cats?
No, and this is one of the most urgent emergencies in veterinary medicine. Antifreeze is sweet-tasting and attractive to cats. A teaspoon can kill. Treatment must start within hours.
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Key facts
- Verdict: No — dangerous to cats. Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) should never be given deliberately.
- Category: Chemical
- Onset: Signs can start 0–12 hours — 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 antifreeze (ethylene glycol)
- This is a time-critical emergency. Treatment within 3 hours is most effective; after 8–12 hours, severe kidney damage is often irreversible.
- Do not induce vomiting at home.
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet immediately. Tell them specifically that it's antifreeze — they should see you urgently.
- If you can't reach a vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7.
- Bring the antifreeze container or a photo of the label.
What's the full picture?
Ethylene glycol — the active ingredient in most antifreeze and screenwash products — tastes sweet and cats will readily lick up spills. It causes acute kidney failure, and without aggressive treatment within hours, it's almost always fatal.
The toxic dose in cats is extremely low. As little as 1.5ml per kg of body weight is potentially lethal — that's about 6ml (one teaspoon) for a 4kg cat.
Classic exposure routes are spilled antifreeze on garage floors or driveways, leaking radiators, and puddles near parked cars. Propylene-glycol-based antifreeze (sold as 'pet-safe') is much less toxic but not completely risk-free.
The UK Veterinary Poisons Information Service lists ethylene glycol among the most common causes of acute kidney failure in UK cats. Treatment with fomepizole or ethanol within 3 hours of ingestion significantly improves outcome; after 24 hours survival is rare.
Symptoms to watch for
Hidden sources you might not think of
- Car antifreeze (bright green or orange liquid)
- Car screenwash (often contains ethylene glycol or methanol)
- Radiator coolant
- Some brake fluids
- Decorative snow globes and novelty liquid-filled ornaments (some contain ethylene glycol)
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Questions owners ask
My cat walked through a puddle in the driveway — could it be antifreeze?
Possibly — especially if it's a greenish or bright-coloured liquid. Clean the paws thoroughly before your cat grooms them. If your cat has licked paws or you suspect ingestion, go to the vet now.
Why is antifreeze so attractive to cats?
Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste. Combined with the fact that it's often left in puddles that look like water, it's a perfect trap for pets.
A bitter deterrent spray makes cables, bin lids, and cupboard edges taste unpleasant without harming your cat.
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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