Ibuprofen for cats

In this article:

• Ibuprofen for cats
• Is ibuprofen safe for cats?
• Alternatives
• Summary

In this article

• Ibuprofen for cats
• Is ibuprofen safe for cats?
• Alternatives
• Summary

Ibuprofen should never be given to cats. Ibuprofen is toxic to felines, and even a single dose could result in severe health complications. Pain relievers are one of the most common causes of pet poisoning. While dogs sometimes accidentally ingest ibuprofen, cats are usually given ibuprofen pills by well-meaning owners for pain or other issues. If a cat is in pain, see a veterinarian for appropriate pain medications. If a cat has been given ibuprofen or has accidentally eaten some ibuprofen, a veterinarian should examine the cat.

RELATED: What is ibuprofen?

What is ibuprofen used for in cats?

Though popular as an over-the-counter pain medication for humans, ibuprofen is not safe for cats.

Like aspirin and naproxen, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). People take nonprescription ibuprofen, like brand-name Advil or Motrin, without worries. Ibuprofen has a wide margin of safety in people, so most people experience no side effects or complications at normal doses. Most individuals do not require emergency medical attention even when too much is taken.

That’s not true for pets. Ibuprofen is more poisonous in dogs and cats than in humans.

For a variety of reasons, dogs and cats are more sensitive to ibuprofen and other human NSAIDs. A single 124 mg dose is enough to induce symptoms of ibuprofen toxicity in an average-sized cat. 

Cats don’t have the same concentration of liver enzymes needed to break down ibuprofen as people do. People rapidly break down ibuprofen, so it lasts for only a few hours after a pill is swallowed. Cats don’t. Instead, the drug lasts for days at significantly high concentrations. In other words, small doses of ibuprofen in a cat are equivalent to long-lasting overdoses in a person.

Ibuprofen overdoses are dangerous because the drug blocks the enzymes used to synthesize prostaglandins. These molecules are like hormones and have many uses throughout the body. One thing they do is cause swelling and pain, so ibuprofen reduces both. However, they also regulate blood clotting, protect the stomach and intestines from stomach acid, and increase blood flow to the kidneys and the liver when needed. As a result, too much ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal ulceration, or gastrointestinal perforation due to stomach acid damage. Because ibuprofen also decreases blood flow to the kidneys and liver, too much ibuprofen can result in liver damage, kidney damage, or kidney failure. This is what happens when cats are given ibuprofen.

Is ibuprofen safe for cats?

Can a cat have ibuprofen? No, ibuprofen is never safe for cats. Even small doses can cause problems, and human-sized doses could cause digestive system damage, kidney damage, or liver damage. Prolonged or heavy use could be lethal.

Side effects of ibuprofen in cats

A cat could have problems with even a small dose of ibuprofen. The most common symptoms involve the gastrointestinal tract and include:

• Refusal to eat
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Blood in the vomit
• Black and tarry stools

Symptoms can appear two to six hours after ingestion, but some complications will not appear for several days. Immediate veterinary care is needed.

Serious side effects could result from giving the cat either a large dose of ibuprofen or repeated doses. In these cases, ibuprofen can compromise kidney function, damage the liver, and cause central nervous system problems. Besides the symptoms listed above, symptoms of more severe ibuprofen poisoning include:

• Frequent urination
• Decreased urination
• Drinking more or drinking less
• Loss of coordination
• Agitation
• Yellowing of the gums, eyes, or skin
• Agitation
• Shaking
• Seizures
• Coma

Again, a cat given ibuprofen should be seen by a veterinarian. If the cat also shows severe signs of ibuprofen toxicity, immediate emergency care is needed. 

Interactions of ibuprofen with other pet meds

Ibuprofen is not safe to give to cats. Its toxic effects could be amplified if it’s given along with certain other medications, including:

• Other NSAIDs
• Corticosteroids
• Drugs that can damage the kidneys or liver
• Diuretics

Ibuprofen alternatives for cats

Human NSAIDs are not safe for cats, but there are NSAIDs approved for veterinary medicine. Most NSAIDs approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are only for use in dogs, but NSAIDs specifically approved for cats include:

• Onsior (robenacoxib)

Administered as a tablet or injection, robenacoxib helps manage pain in cats after orthopedic surgery, spays, or neuters, and can be safely given to a cat for three days. 

• Mobic (meloxicam)

Meloxicam is FDA-approved as a one-time injection in cats to relieve pain after bone or muscle surgery, spays, or neuters. More than one dose is likely to cause side effects or complications.

Although both NSAIDs are only approved for short-term treatment, some veterinarians may prescribe meloxicam or robenacoxib as a long-term treatment for chronic pain. They will follow guidelines established by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) to safely dose and monitor the cat for side effects.

Other pain medications FDA-approved for use in cats include:

• Buprenorphine
• Tramadol
• Amitriptyline
• Amantadine
• Gabapentin
• Prednisolone
• Maropitant

Meloxicam and robenacoxib are commonly used for post-surgical pain. To avoid NSAID adverse effects, veterinary professionals could use a topical version of buprenorphine, an opioid called Zorbium. One dose is applied to the back of the neck and provides post-surgical pain relief for four days.

For more chronic pain, pet owners can also help the cat feel better with therapies that don’t involve drugs, including:

• Glucosamine-chondroitin supplements
• Environmental changes such as ramps, padded beds, and raised bowls for eating or drinking
• Weight loss
• Physical rehabilitation

Summary

Ibuprofen is not safe for cats. Never give a cat human pain medications, including ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Instead, take your cat to a veterinarian who can prescribe safe pain medications.