Can dogs and cats eat Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)?
Antifreeze tastes sweet and even a small lick can cause fatal kidney failure. Cats are particularly sensitive.
Why
Ethylene glycol (metabolised to toxic compounds that damage the kidneys)
Signs to watch for
- appears drunk, wobbly
- vomiting
- excessive thirst
- lethargy
- seizures
- reduced urination (kidney failure, 1–3 days later)
Good to know
Treatment must begin within hours to have the best chance, often before signs are obvious. Mop up leaks and spills; some screen washes, snow globes and photo chemicals also contain it.
If you think your pet has been poisoned
If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten or touched something poisonous, contact your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately, even if your pet seems fine – some poisons take hours or days to show signs, and early treatment works best. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to, as this can cause more harm. Take the packaging, label or a piece of the plant with you, and note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
Sources
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual – Ethylene Glycol Toxicosis in Animals
- PDSA – Antifreeze poisoning in cats
- PDSA – Antifreeze poisoning in dogs
- RSPCA – Antifreeze poisoning in cats
- Pet Poison Helpline – Antifreeze
Checked against these sources in October 2026.