Toxic to cats · Medications

Is Ibuprofen toxic to cats?

Extreme severity No safe amount — No amount is considered safe.

Yes. Even a small amount can be life-threatening — treat any exposure as an emergency and contact a vet immediately.

Symptoms to watch for

  • Vomiting
  • Bloody vomitus
  • Diarrhea
  • Black-tarry stool
  • Weakness
  • Pale gums
  • Anemia
  • Abdominal pain
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Kidney failure
  • Liver failure
  • Tremors
  • Seizures

How vets treat it

Call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately for life-saving treatment advice. Never give medication without veterinary consultation.

Why it's dangerous

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that causes severe gastrointestinal ulceration and can lead to acute kidney and liver failure due to high sensitivity in pets.

Toxic compound: Ibuprofen

Good to know

Cats are particularly poorly tolerant of NSAIDs, which can result in severe kidney failure even with repeated small doses. Dog-specific NSAIDs like Rimadyl or Metacam should be used instead under supervision.

Sources

This page is informational and is not veterinary advice. If your pet has been exposed to something risky, contact your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

More substances toxic to cats

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