Mary Allen
In humans, it’s a standard medicine chest ingredient: paracetamol. However, cats should never take painkillers. Here you can find out why the remedy is toxic to your cat and which medications can also harm the house tiger.
When we humans have a headache or feel a little feverish, we like to turn to a painkiller like paracetamol. Cats, on the other hand, are highly sensitive to the drug – even small doses can, in the worst case, lead to the death of the animal. You should therefore act according to the following rule of thumb: Never give human medicines to animals! If your cat seems ill, take it to the vet, who will prescribe a medication that is specially tailored to the sensitive organism of four-legged friends. Experiments with medicines from the human pharmacy, on the other hand, do more harm than good to your darling.
Why Paracetamol Can Poison Cats
The active substance of paracetamol is processed in the body of animals and humans in the liver. However, while humans usually do this without any problems when used correctly, cats produce the toxic breakdown product glutathione in their liver after ingesting paracetamol. The substance means that the cat’s blood can bind less oxygen and it also causes severe liver damage.
Symptoms of Paracetamol Poisoning in Cats
If a cat eats paracetamol, severe symptoms of poisoning will quickly appear. The heart rate increases, at the same time the cat finds it difficult to breathe. Their mucous membranes become bluish-pale and there can be swelling on their paws and face due to water retention, so-called edema. Damage to the liver can also cause what is known as “jaundice”, which causes the skin and mucous membranes to turn yellowish.
In the event of severe poisoning, the cat will vomit and its urine will turn dark brown. You should take your cat to the vet as soon as possible at the first symptoms of paracetamol poisoning – there is a risk of death. It is important that you can tell the doctor what your cat took and how long ago the poisoning happened. In this way, the veterinarian can help your darling faster and more easily.
Which Drugs Can Still Be Toxic
Not only paracetamol is dangerous for cats. Numerous other medicines, which we humans usually tolerate well, can also cause serious damage to our velvet-pawed housemates. Among other things, these include:
- Contraceptives (“birth control pills”)
- Beta-blockers, such as those used to treat heart disease
- Thyroid hormones
- ADHD medications such as Ritalin
- Antidepressants in larger quantities
- Ibuprofen (painkiller)
- Diclofenac (pain reliever)
It is best to keep all medicines in a well-locked pharmacy cupboard. This means that neither your cat nor your children can accidentally take harmful medication.