Medication safety · 2 min read

Is Iron supplements toxic to cats?

No — dangerous

No. Iron tablets (ferrous sulphate, ferrous fumarate — common UK brands: Feroglobin, Galfer, Spatone) are toxic to cats. Iron overdose causes severe vomiting, followed by delayed liver and heart injury after a deceptive 'recovery' period.

If your cat has just eaten iron supplements

  1. Move your cat away from the iron supplement.
  2. Don't induce vomiting at home — this is dangerous in cats.
  3. Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet immediately.
  4. If you can't reach a vet, call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 — 24/7, charges apply.
  5. Note how much iron supplement was eaten, when, and your cat's weight.

What's the full picture?

Iron toxicity has a characteristic biphasic pattern: severe vomiting and diarrhoea in the first 6 hours, followed by apparent recovery for 12–24 hours, then worsening again with liver failure and cardiac problems.

The deceptive recovery phase is dangerous — owners think the cat is fine and don't go to the vet. Veterinary assessment is essential for any iron overdose regardless of apparent improvement.

Multivitamins often contain iron. Check the label carefully. Children's chewable vitamins with iron are a particular risk because they're flavoured and attractive.

Symptoms to watch for

0–6 hours
Severe vomiting, diarrhoea (often with blood).
6–24 hours
Deceptive recovery — cat seems better.
24–72 hours
Liver failure signs, shock, cardiac issues.

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.

Fish oil / omega-3 supplements caution Paracetamol no Vitamin D supplements (cholecalciferol) 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

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