Household danger · 2 min read

Is Gorilla Glue (polyurethane adhesive) dangerous for cats?

No — dangerous

No. Gorilla Glue and similar polyurethane adhesives expand massively when in contact with stomach acid, forming a foreign body that often requires surgical removal.

If your cat has just eaten gorilla glue (polyurethane adhesive)

  1. Do not induce vomiting — the expanding foam can lodge in the oesophagus.
  2. Call your vet immediately — surgery is often required.
  3. Bring the glue packaging for identification.

What's the full picture?

Expanding polyurethane adhesives (Gorilla Glue, Elmer's ProBond) react with moisture and rapidly expand — up to 3–4 times their original volume in a cat's stomach. The expanded mass forms a solid foreign body that usually can't be vomited up and needs surgery to remove.

Cats are less often exposed than dogs (less chewing of tubes) but accidents happen, especially with spilled glue on paws that the cat then licks off.

Symptoms to watch for

Within hours
Retching, drooling, loss of appetite, swollen abdomen.
Hours to days
Persistent vomiting, unable to keep food down — foreign body obstruction.

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.

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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

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