Ibuprofen poisoning in cats – signs and what to do
Contact a vet todayContact your vet today if you think your cat has this – it can become serious. Ibuprofen poisoning is an illness caused by a cat eating ibuprofen.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet today.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
- Keep fresh water available.
- Let your cat rest somewhere calm.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it is
Ibuprofen is toxic to cats and can cause serious health issues if eaten.[1] Lower doses can cause stomach upset and stomach ulcers, while higher doses can cause kidney problems.[1]
Signs
Causes and risk factors
How a vet finds out
- What you tell your vet
- Your cat’s clinical signs
- Urine tests
How vets treat it
- Fluids or a drip
- Hospitalisation
- Blood transfusion
- Medication
What the experts say
“Vomiting and/or diarrhoea (sometimes with blood) ; Abdominal (tummy) pain ; Lethargy (low energy) ; Loss of appetite ; Pale gums ; Drinking more ; Weeing more, weeing less or not at all ; Weakness, wobbliness or incoordination ; Tremors and/or seizures”
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
What is ibuprofen poisoning in cats?
Ibuprofen is toxic to cats and can cause serious health issues if eaten.[1]
What signs can ibuprofen poisoning cause?
Signs can include vomiting or diarrhoea, sometimes with blood, tummy pain, low energy, loss of appetite, pale gums, drinking more, changes in weeing, weakness, wobbliness or incoordination, tremors and seizures.[1]
How will a vet find out if my cat has ibuprofen poisoning?
Your vet will make a diagnosis based on what you tell them and your cat’s clinical signs; urine tests may also be used.
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
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