My cat ate methylphenidate – 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. Methylphenidate 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 was eaten.
Bring the packaging.
Keep your cat calm.

Don't

Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Do not give any human medicine.
Do not leave what is left within reach.

Why it can be dangerous

Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant used in human medicine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder.^[1] Methylphenidate is used in veterinary medicine for narcolepsy, cataplexy, and hyperkinesis-hyperactivity.^[1] Methylphenidate is very similar to amphetamines.^[1]

Signs to watch for

vomiting
diarrhea
drooling
tremors
seizures
hyperactivity
panting
agitation

Where it is found

human medicine
veterinary medicine

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 methylphenidate is dangerous?

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now, and note how much was eaten.

Which signs should I watch for?

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, tremors, seizures, hyperactivity, panting, and agitation.

What should I do now?

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet, bring the packaging, and keep your cat calm.

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

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