My cat ate acetaminophen—what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 3 sources

Based on: US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine, Pet Poison Helpline, Glutathione in acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in cats, Open Vet J 2013

Call a vet now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Acetaminophen can be fatal to cats because they lack certain liver enzymes needed to safely break it down.

What to do now

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now
  2. Note what, how much and when
  3. Bring the packaging
  4. Keep your cat calm
  5. 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

Acetaminophen is fatal to cats. [1][1] Cats lack certain liver enzymes needed to safely break down acetaminophen. [1][1]

Signs to watch for

  • Red blood cell damage
  • Liver damage
  • Liver failure

Where it is found

  • Over-the-counter medication
  • Prescription pain medications
  • Products labeled for cold and flu symptoms
  • Products labeled for allergies
  • Products labeled for fever

What the experts say

“Dogs and cats can suffer both forms of side effects from acetaminophen, but cats are more prone to red blood cell damage while dogs are more likely to get liver damage.”

— US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine [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.

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Common questions

How much acetaminophen is dangerous for a cat?

A dose as low as 10 mg/kg can produce signs of toxicity and lead to death; 50–100 mg/kg is toxic. [3][3]

What signs can acetaminophen cause?

Signs include red blood cell damage and liver damage. [1][1]

What should I do now?

Acetaminophen should never be given to cats. [1] Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now.[1]

Sources

  1. US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine
  2. Pet Poison Helpline
  3. Glutathione in acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in cats, Open Vet J 2013

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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