My cat ate caffeine – what should I do?
Call a vet todayCall your vet today for advice – don't wait until signs appear. Caffeine is toxic to cats and may cause tremors, seizures or hyperactivity.
What to do right now
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
- Note what, how much and when your cat ate.
- Bring the packaging.
- Remove what is left.
- Keep your cat calm.
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
Caffeine is found in many drinks, including coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks.[1] Common caffeine-containing products also include some supplements, energy pouches, shots and tablets.[2]
Signs to watch for
Where it is found
What the experts say
“Caffeine (found in a lot of drinks such as coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks)”
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 caffeine is dangerous for my cat?
Call your vet today about what, how much and when your cat ate.
What signs should I watch for?
Watch for tremors, seizures or hyperactivity, and call your vet.
What should I do now?
Call your vet or nearest emergency vet, note what, how much and when, and bring the packaging.
Sources
- US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine
- Pet Poison Helpline
- Cortinovis & Caloni 2016, Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats, Front Vet Sci
- Haemodiafiltration in massive caffeine intoxication in a dog, Vet Med Sci 2023
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
Chocolate