Is it bad for them? · Paracetamol / acetaminophen
My cat ate paracetamol / acetaminophen — what now?
Enter your cat's weight and how much they ate. We'll calculate the dose, give you a clear severity level, and the right poison helpline for your country.
Fill in the form to see the dose
We'll calculate the mg/kg, severity, and the right poison helpline for your country.
If your cat just ate paracetamol / acetaminophen
- 1Move your cat away from any remaining paracetamol / acetaminophen so they can't eat more.
- 2Note the details a vet will ask for: your cat's weight, roughly how much they ate, and when.
- 3Don't try to make them vomit unless a vet or poison line tells you to — with some substances it causes more harm.
- 4Get advice now — enter the amount in the calculator above for a severity read, and call the helpline below.
About paracetamol / acetaminophen toxicity in cats
Cats lack the liver enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) needed to metabolise paracetamol — even one tablet can be fatal. Dogs are more tolerant but hepatotoxicity begins around 100 mg/kg.
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Paracetamol / acetaminophen and cats — common questions
Can paracetamol / acetaminophen poison a cat?
Cats lack the liver enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) needed to metabolise paracetamol — even one tablet can be fatal. Dogs are more tolerant but hepatotoxicity begins around 100 mg/kg. How serious it is depends on your cat's body weight and how much they ate — use the calculator above for the exact dose and a clear severity level.
How much paracetamol / acetaminophen does it take to harm a cat?
It depends on your cat's weight, how much they ate, and the exact form. Paracetamol / acetaminophen comes in different forms (500 mg tablet (each), children's suspension (mg/g)) and the concentration varies between them, so the form matters as much as the amount. Enter the details above to get the dose in mg/kg and whether it lands in the low, moderate, high, or emergency range.
What should I do if my cat ate paracetamol / acetaminophen?
Act quickly: note your cat's weight, roughly how much they ate and when, and keep any packaging. Don't try to make them vomit unless a vet or poison line tells you to. In US, contact Pet Poison Helpline on +1-855-764-7661 (24/7) or your nearest vet straight away.
How does the paracetamol / acetaminophen toxicity calculator work?
Enter your cat's weight and how much they ate. We work out the dose in mg/kg from vet-reviewed thresholds, grade the severity, and show the right poison helpline for your country. It's free and needs no account.