My cat ate ivermectin—what should I do?
Call a vet nowCall your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Ivermectin is toxic to cats and may cause drooling, tremors, seizures, ataxia, coma, dilated pupils, or death.
What to do right now
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
- Note what was eaten, 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
Ivermectin belongs to a class of drugs commonly used in veterinary medicine called avermectins.[1] Avermectins are anthelmintics that kill parasites and are commonly used as an active ingredient in monthly heartworm preventatives for dogs and cats.[1]
Signs to watch for
Where it is found
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
How much ivermectin is dangerous for a cat?
The amount in standard dog and cat heartworm prevention is not likely to cause a concern in non-sensitive breeds if they ingest 1–2 tablets above their normal dosing.
Which signs should I watch for?
Watch for drooling, tremors, seizures, ataxia, dilated pupils, coma, or death.
What should I do now?
Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now, note what was eaten, how much, and when, and bring the packaging.
Sources
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
Nicotine
Onion