My cat ate Amitraz – what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline

Call a vet today

Call your vet today for advice – don't wait until signs appear. Amitraz is toxic to cats.

What to do now

What to do right now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
Note what, how much and when.
Bring the packaging.
Keep your cat calm.
Remove what is left.

Don't

Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Do not give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

Amitraz should not be used on cats.^[1] Amitraz may cause lethargy, seizures and depression.^[1]

Signs to watch for

Lethargy
Seizures
Depression

Where it is found

Topical insecticide products used to control fleas, ticks, mites and lice in animals

What the experts say

“Amitraz is a topical insecticide used to control fleas, ticks, mites, and lice in animals. Overdoses may cause neurological and cardiovascular depression such as lethargy, seizures, and decreased heart rate. Amitraz should NOT be used on cats.”
— Pet Poison Helpline [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What signs should I watch for?

Possible signs include lethargy, seizures and depression.^[1]

Sources

Pet Poison Helpline

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages