Can dogs and cats eat Paracetamol (acetaminophen)?
Paracetamol is extremely dangerous to cats: it destroys red blood cells' ability to carry oxygen and damages the liver. Dogs are less sensitive but can also be poisoned.
Why
Paracetamol (cats lack the liver enzymes to break it down safely)
Signs to watch for
- brown or blue-grey gums
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of face and paws (cats)
- vomiting
- lethargy
- yellow gums (liver damage)
Good to know
Cats: even part of one tablet can be fatal — there is no safe dose. Dogs: never give unless prescribed by a vet; overdose causes liver damage.
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
- Pet Poison Helpline – Acetaminophen
- Merck Veterinary Manual – Toxicoses from Human Analgesics in Animals
- PDSA – Poisons and hazards for your pets
Checked against these sources in October 2026.