Is Paracetamol toxic to cats?
No, never. Paracetamol is one of the most lethal drugs a cat can be given. A single standard 500mg tablet can kill an average-sized cat. Never give paracetamol, even in 'just a small amount'.
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Key facts
- Verdict: No — dangerous to cats. Paracetamol should never be given deliberately.
- Category: Human painkiller
- Onset: Signs can start 0–4 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 paracetamol
- This is a genuine emergency. Treatment is time-critical — within 2 hours of ingestion gives the best outcome.
- Do not try to induce vomiting at home — this is dangerous in cats.
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet immediately.
- If you can't reach a vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7.
- Bring the tablet packaging with you, noting strength (usually 500mg tablets) and quantity missing.
- Use our paracetamol dose calculator to estimate severity while you travel to the vet.
What's the full picture?
Paracetamol poisoning is one of the most common and most lethal accidental poisonings in UK cats. Cats lack a liver enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) that both humans and dogs use to process paracetamol safely. Without that enzyme, paracetamol accumulates and is converted to a toxic metabolite (NAPQI) that destroys red blood cells and severely damages the liver.
The toxic dose in cats is extremely low — around 10mg per kg of body weight. A standard 500mg paracetamol tablet is therefore 10–12 times the toxic dose for an average 4kg cat. A half tablet is still a lethal dose.
Most paracetamol poisonings happen when owners try to treat a cat in pain with human medication, often because they believe 'just a little bit' is safe. It is not. If your cat appears to be in pain, call your vet — there are cat-safe painkillers available on prescription.
Use our paracetamol dose calculator below if you think your cat has had any paracetamol. It will estimate severity based on your cat's weight and the dose. In almost every case the answer will be: go to the vet now.
This guidance reflects published UK veterinary toxicology literature including BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association) references and VPIS monograph data on feline paracetamol toxicity. Cats are exquisitely sensitive because they lack sufficient glucuronyl transferase enzyme activity to metabolise paracetamol safely.
In the UK, paracetamol is sold under brand names including Panadol, Calpol (the children's liquid suspension), Disprol, and as a component of many cold and flu remedies (Lemsip, Night Nurse, Beechams). All forms are equally toxic to cats — the liquid suspensions are particularly dangerous because they may be left accessible and have sweet flavouring that could attract a cat.
Symptoms to watch for
Hidden sources you might not think of
- Paracetamol tablets (own-brand, Panadol, Anadin)
- Calpol and other paracetamol-based children's medicines
- Lemsip and other cold and flu sachets
- Co-codamol (paracetamol + codeine)
- Paracetamol dropped on the floor and found by the cat
Safer alternatives
- Vet-prescribed cat-safe painkillers (meloxicam in small controlled doses is one option for specific conditions)
- Always call your vet before giving any painkiller
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What to keep in a cat first-aid kit instead
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Questions owners ask
What should I do if my cat has been given paracetamol accidentally?
Treat it as an emergency and call your vet or an emergency vet immediately — even if you gave only a small amount and the cat seems fine. Paracetamol poisoning in cats progresses rapidly and treatment is most effective in the first 2-4 hours. Don't wait for symptoms to appear.
Can I give my cat paracetamol for pain?
No — never. Paracetamol is one of the most toxic substances a cat can be given. There is no safe dose of paracetamol for cats. Even a quarter of a standard 500mg tablet can cause fatal liver failure and methemoglobinaemia. If your cat is in pain, call your vet — they can prescribe cat-safe pain relief such as buprenorphine or meloxicam at appropriate doses.
My cat seems in pain. Can I give half a paracetamol just this once?
No. Even half a tablet can be fatal. Phone your vet — they can prescribe or recommend a cat-safe painkiller. Never use any human painkiller on a cat without vet instruction.
My cat bit into a paracetamol tablet and spat it out. What now?
Go to the vet. Even a small amount of paracetamol absorbed through the mouth and stomach can be toxic. Bring the tablet with you and your cat's weight.
Why is paracetamol so dangerous to cats when humans tolerate it fine?
Cats lack enough of a liver enzyme called glucuronyl transferase, which is what humans and dogs use to process paracetamol safely. Without it, the drug is converted to a toxic byproduct that destroys red blood cells and damages the liver. The exact dose that is routine for a human adult can be fatal to a cat.
A lockable medicine box is the simplest way to keep human tablets out of reach of a curious 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