Medication safety · 2 min read

Is Diclofenac (Voltarol) toxic to cats?

No — dangerous

No. Diclofenac (Voltarol) is a prescription NSAID and is toxic to cats by any route — tablets, topical gel, or accidentally licked after skin application.

If your cat has just eaten diclofenac (voltarol)

  1. Wipe off any gel residue from your cat's mouth or fur.
  2. Call your vet immediately.
  3. If you can't reach your vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7.

What's the full picture?

Diclofenac is sold in UK pharmacies as Voltarol gel (topical anti-inflammatory). Cats can be exposed by licking the gel off a human's skin, or by having it applied to them (never do this).

All NSAID hazards apply — GI ulceration and kidney injury.

Symptoms to watch for

0–12 hours
Drooling, vomiting, reduced appetite.
12–72 hours
GI bleeding, kidney injury signs.

If you're worried right now

Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet first. For poison advice, the Animal PoisonLine (UK) is on 01202 509000 — 24/7, charges apply. Your vet can also call the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) directly.

Aspirin no Ibuprofen no Naproxen no Topical creams (5-FU, calcipotriene, hormone creams) no

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

↑ Top