{"id":629964,"date":"2024-10-02T14:21:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T18:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629964"},"modified":"2026-01-28T14:09:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:09:33","slug":"can-you-give-cats-ibuprofen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/can-you-give-cats-ibuprofen\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you give cats ibuprofen"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are considering pain relief for your cat, you might be wondering: Can you give cats <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a>? Ibuprofen is a popular<\/span> NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug)<\/span><\/a> used to treat pain and inflammation. But although ibuprofen is typically safe for humans,<\/span> it’s not safe to give to cats<\/span><\/a> in any dose. It can cause serious health issues, and even death.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s take a close look at the dangers of giving ibuprofen to cats, including side effects, drug interactions, and what to do if you accidentally or unintentionally give ibuprofen to your cat. We’ll also look at some feline-safe alternatives to ibuprofen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you give a cat ibuprofen?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Can cats take ibuprofen? Both of the veterinarians we connected with emphasized that ibuprofen for cats is a definite no. This medication should not be given to cats under any circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

“While ibuprofen is commonly used in humans for pain relief and inflammation reduction, it is <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> safe to give to cats,” says Bethany Hsia, DVM, veterinarian and co-founder of<\/span> CodaPet<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cats are particularly sensitive to ibuprofen, Dr. Hsia says. “The use of ibuprofen in cats can lead to severe health issues, including gastrointestinal ulcers, kidney damage, and even death,” she describes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nita Vasudevan, DVM, veterinary consultant for <\/span>Embrace Pet Insurance<\/span><\/a>, gives a similar strong warning against giving ibuprofen to your cat. “Ibuprofen is <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> safe for cats,” she says. “In fact, it is toxic and should never be given to cats under any circumstance unless specifically directed by a veterinarian –which is extremely rare.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Vasudevan says that even a small dose of <\/span>ibuprofen can harm cats<\/span><\/a>, and lead to conditions like stomach ulcers and kidney failure. It can be life threatening as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ibuprofen is used to <\/span>treat pain and inflammation<\/span><\/a>. In cats, this occurs after an operation or injury or in cases of arthritis, cancer, urinary tract infection, or other conditions causing pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

But it is not the medication of choice to treat these conditions in cats due to its toxicity, says Dr. Hsia. “In rare cases where a veterinarian might consider using an NSAID like ibuprofen, it would be under a very controlled circumstance with close monitoring.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of ibuprofen, veterinarians usually prescribe medications specifically formulated for cats when treating pain or inflammatory conditions, Dr. Hsia explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Again, ibuprofen is simply not safe for cats.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although cats do experience some of the conditions a medication like ibuprofen can treat, a veterinarian would likely never prescribe ibuprofen due to the potential dangers, says Dr. Vasudevan. “Cats lack the enzymes necessary to metabolize ibuprofen properly, making them particularly vulnerable to its toxic effects,” she explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the<\/span> Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports<\/span><\/i><\/a>, accidental ingestion of NSAIDs by small animals account for about 3% of intoxications reported to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Poison Control Center. In small animals, ingestion of NSAIDs are linked more closely with <\/span>acute kidney injury (AKI) <\/span><\/a>than other medications. Ingestion of NSAIDs can also cause gastrointestinal issues and death.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

You shouldn’t give ibuprofen to your cat, but if you do, you will likely notice some concerning side effects. According to Dr. Hsia and Dr. Vasudevan,<\/span> possible side effects include<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n