Why it is dangerous to cats
Paracetamol is a human remedy for pain and fever. A cat's body cannot break it down well, so it is especially dangerous to cats: it damages the red blood cells, which can then no longer carry oxygen, and the liver.
Never give your cat paracetamol for pain or fever, not even a tiny amount. A cat can also find some dropped on the floor or left on a table.
A poisoned cat's gums can turn brownish or greyish, it struggles to breathe, and its face and paws can swell. Contact a vet or an emergency clinic straight away, even if your cat seems well, say when it happened and take the packaging with you.
What to watch out for
- Paracetamol damages the red blood cells: the cat weakens and struggles to breathe.
- The gums can turn brownish, greyish or pale.
- The face and paws can swell.
- The liver can be damaged: later the gums and the whites of the eyes can turn yellow.
- Never give your cat any painkiller made for people.
The forms it comes in
The same substance can turn up in different places.
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Cold and flu remedies
DangerousSome of them contain paracetamol too.
What it can cause
Signs that can appear after eating it. Each page explains what to look out for and when to hurry to a vet.