My cat ate aspirin – what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline

Call a vet now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Aspirin is toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure.

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

Aspirin is a common over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine.^[1] Aspirin is used in both human and veterinary medicine.^[1]

Signs to watch for

Kidney failure

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

How much aspirin is dangerous for a cat?

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now.

What signs should I watch for?

Kidney failure.

How soon can signs start?