{"id":628992,"date":"2024-07-20T13:51:59","date_gmt":"2024-07-20T17:51:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628992"},"modified":"2026-04-01T16:41:03","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T20:41:03","slug":"ibuprofen-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ibuprofen-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Ibuprofen for cats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ibuprofen<\/span><\/a> should never be given to cats. Ibuprofen is toxic to felines, and even a single dose could result in severe health complications. <\/span>Pain relievers<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What is ibuprofen?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What is ibuprofen used for in cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Though popular as an over-the-counter pain medication for humans, ibuprofen is not safe for cats.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like aspirin and naproxen, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (<\/span>NSAID<\/span><\/a>). People take nonprescription ibuprofen, like brand-name <\/span>Advil<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Motrin<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s not true for pets. <\/span>Ibuprofen is more poisonous<\/span><\/a> in dogs and cats than in humans.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a variety of reasons, dogs and cats are more sensitive to ibuprofen and other human NSAIDs. A <\/span>single 124 mg dose<\/span><\/a> is enough to induce symptoms of <\/span>ibuprofen toxicity<\/span><\/a> in an average-sized cat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cats don\u2019t have the same <\/span>concentration of liver enzymes<\/span><\/a> 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\u2019t. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ibuprofen overdoses are dangerous because <\/span>the drug blocks the enzymes used to synthesize prostaglandins<\/span><\/a>. 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 <\/span>increase blood flow to the kidneys<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is ibuprofen safe for cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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

Side effects of ibuprofen in cats<\/span><\/h3>\n

A cat could have problems with even a small dose of ibuprofen. The most <\/span>common symptoms<\/span><\/a> involve the gastrointestinal tract and include:<\/span><\/p>\n