Can you give cats paracetamol? No, and here's why

Why paracetamol is so dangerous to cats

In people, the liver processes paracetamol safely using a chemical pathway called glucuronidation. Cats have very little ability to do this. Instead, paracetamol is converted into toxic by-products that:

• Damage red blood cells, turning haemoglobin into methaemoglobin, which can't carry oxygen. This is why poisoned cats have brown or grey gums and struggle to breathe.
• Destroy red blood cells, causing anaemia.
• Injure the liver, sometimes days after the initial signs.

Because of this, even a small fraction of a single 500 mg tablet can be fatal for an average cat. There is no safe dose of paracetamol for cats.

Can cats have Calpol?

No. Calpol and other children's pain and fever liquids contain paracetamol. They are flavoured and easy to give, which unfortunately makes accidental poisoning more likely when worried owners try to help a cat in pain. The same applies to "cold and flu" remedies, many of which contain paracetamol alongside other ingredients that are also harmful to cats.

Other human painkillers that are dangerous for cats

Medicine	Examples	Main risks to cats
Paracetamol	Panadol, Calpol, many cold and flu remedies	Red blood cell damage, breathing problems, liver failure, death
Ibuprofen	Nurofen, many generics	Stomach ulcers and bleeding, kidney failure, seizures at high doses
Aspirin	Disprin, low-dose aspirin	Cats clear it very slowly: stomach ulcers, bleeding, poisoning
Naproxen	Prescription and pharmacy products	Stomach ulcers, kidney failure
Diclofenac gels and creams	Voltarol and others	Cats lick it off your skin or their fur: kidney and stomach damage
Codeine combinations	Co-codamol	Contain paracetamol plus opioid
Decongestants	Pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine	Agitation, fast heart rate, tremors, seizures

Other human medicines, including antidepressants, ADHD medicines and heart tablets, are also dangerous. Keep all medicines out of reach and pick up any dropped tablets immediately.

Signs of paracetamol poisoning in cats

Signs usually appear within 1 to 4 hours of swallowing paracetamol:

• Brown, grey, blue or muddy-coloured gums and tongue.
• Rapid or difficult breathing.
• Swelling of the face, lips and paws.
• Drooling, vomiting or loss of appetite.
• Weakness, wobbliness or collapse.
• Dark brown urine.
• Later, yellow gums or eyes (jaundice) from liver damage.

Vets treat paracetamol poisoning with an antidote (acetylcysteine), oxygen, fluids, other medicines to protect red blood cells and the liver, and sometimes blood transfusions. The sooner treatment starts, the better the chance of survival. Your vet can also contact the Veterinary Poisons Information Service for specialist advice, and owners in the UK can call the Animal PoisonLine, run by the same service.

Why ibuprofen and aspirin are also unsafe

Vets do use anti-inflammatory drugs in cats, but only specific veterinary medicines at carefully calculated doses. Human NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are much more toxic to cats and can cause severe stomach ulcers and kidney failure even at doses that would be safe for a small child. Aspirin stays in a cat's body many times longer than in a person, so it builds up quickly. Never give these to your cat unless your vet has specifically prescribed a dose, which is rare.

My cat has a fever: what should I do instead?

Owners sometimes reach for paracetamol because their cat feels hot or seems feverish. In cats, warm ears or a warm body are often normal, so first read our guide to why a cat's ears feel hot or cold. If your cat really does seem to have a fever, with lethargy, hiding, not eating or fast breathing, it needs a vet to find the cause, which might be an abscess, an infection such as cat flu or something more serious. Keep your cat in a comfortable room, offer water and food, and phone your vet. Never try to bring a cat's temperature down with human medicines.

Hidden ways cats are exposed to human painkillers

• Dropped tablets that a curious cat bats around and chews.
• Medicated gels and creams on your skin, which a cat licks while being stroked or sleeping on your lap.
• Well-meaning visitors or family members who give "half a tablet" for a limp.
• Cold and flu drinks left within reach on a bedside table.

If you use a painkiller gel, cover the area or wash your hands and skin before cuddling your cat.

Safe pain relief for cats

If your cat is in pain, your vet can prescribe medicines that are licensed for cats, such as:

• Meloxicam (Metacam and generics) for arthritis and post-operative pain. See our guide to Metacam for cats.
• Robenacoxib for short-term pain.
• Buprenorphine and other opioids for moderate to severe pain.
• Frunevetmab (Solensia) monthly injections for arthritis pain.
• Gabapentin for chronic or nerve pain.

Your vet chooses the right medicine based on your cat's age, weight, kidney function and other conditions.

Signs your cat might be in pain

Cats hide pain, so owners sometimes don't realise until a problem is advanced. Watch for:

• Hiding, sleeping more or being less sociable.
• A hunched posture or reluctance to move or jump.
• Reduced appetite or grooming.
• Squinting, flattened ears or a tense face.
• Growling, hissing or biting when touched.
• Toileting outside the litter tray.

If you notice these, call your vet rather than reaching for the medicine cabinet. For stings and minor injuries, see our first aid guide for a cat stung by a bee.

Keeping your cat safe from human medicines

• Store all medicines in closed cupboards, not on bedside tables or kitchen worktops.
• Take tablets over a sink or table, so you'll notice if one drops.
• Don't leave pill organisers where cats can knock them over.
• Wash your hands after applying medicated creams or gels, and don't let your cat lick treated skin.
• Tell visitors, cat sitters and family members never to give your cat human medicine, and write it in your cat sitter notes.
• Check our toxic plant and food checker for other common household dangers.

Other common cat poisons in UK homes

Paracetamol is one of the most serious, but not the only, household poison for cats. Others include lilies (every part, including pollen), antifreeze, dog flea treatments containing permethrin, essential oils, slug pellets and rat poison. If you think your cat has been poisoned by anything, contact your vet immediately and take the packet or plant with you.

What if I've already given my cat paracetamol?

Please don't panic, and don't wait to see if symptoms develop. Many owners give paracetamol with the best intentions, not knowing it's dangerous. Ring your vet straight away: prompt treatment, ideally before signs appear, gives your cat the best chance. Be honest about the amount and time, as it helps your vet treat your cat correctly. Vets see these cases regularly and will focus entirely on helping your cat, not on judging you.