Is Acetaminophen / paracetamol toxic to cats & dogs?
Also known as: Tylenol / cold & flu medicine / fever reducers
🚑 What to do right after ingestion
Ingestion is an immediate emergency (no safe dose in cats): decontamination plus N-acetylcysteine antidote — the earlier the better.
Toxicity notes
Cats can barely metabolize it — a single 500mg tablet is lethal; toxic doses in dogs are low too. The most classic household poisoning: owners giving human medicine to a sick pet.
Poisoning symptoms
- • Bluish/brown gums
- • Labored breathing
- • Facial swelling
- • Vomiting
- • Profound lethargy
Symptoms can be delayed (e.g. onion/garlic-induced hemolysis may take days) — a pet looking fine right now is no reason to relax.
FAQ
How much causes poisoning?
Cats can barely metabolize it — a single 500mg tablet is lethal; toxic doses in dogs are low too. The most classic household poisoning: owners giving human medicine to a sick pet.
Can I make my pet vomit at home?
Home-induced vomiting is not advised: corrosive cleaners, sharp bones or existing neurological signs make it dangerous, and improper technique risks aspiration pneumonia. Vomiting should be induced by a vet with proper drugs at the right moment — most effective within 1-2 hours. So “head to the clinic as soon as you know” beats “try to induce vomiting first”.
Even without symptoms, use the symptom checker to review what to watch for
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