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An orange cat looking into a generic pill bottle: Ibuprofen for cats
Pets

Ibuprofen for cats

Ibuprofen is not safe for cats, but there are NSAIDs specifically approved for veterinary use
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By | Jul. 20, 2024 Medically reviewed by Emma Ryan, DVM

Key takeaways

  • Ibuprofen should never be used in cats

  • When a cat is given ibuprofen, gastrointestinal tract problems are the most common side effects. Clinical signs of ibuprofen poisoning in a cat include loss of appetite, vomiting, vomiting blood, diarrhea, abdominal pain, black and tarry stools, bloody stools, and lethargy.

  • Incoordination, tremors, seizures, and coma mark severe ibuprofen poisoning.

  • If a cat is given ibuprofen, immediately call an animal poison control center or get the cat emergency veterinary care.

In this article:

Ibuprofen should never be administered to cats. Ibuprofen is extremely toxic to felines, and even a single dose can result in severe health complications. Even so, ibuprofen toxicity is common in dogs and cats. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center reports that Ibuprofen poisoning is the most frequent medication poisoning in pets. While dogs sometimes accidentally ingest ibuprofen, cats are usually given ibuprofen pills by well-meaning owners for pain or other issues. 

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 concern. Ibuprofen has a wide margin of safety in people, so most people experience no side effects or complications. Most individuals do not require emergency medical attention even when it is consumed in excess.

That’s not true for pets. Ibuprofen is highly poisonous in dogs and cats.

For a variety of reasons, dogs and cats are more sensitive to ibuprofen and other human NSAIDs. A single 100 mg tablet 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. It’s only good for a few hours. 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 swelling and pain. 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, 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, 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?

No. Ibuprofen is never safe for cats. Even small doses can 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 usually appear two to six hours after ingestion. Immediate veterinary care is needed.

Serious side effects could result from giving the cat either a large dose of ibuprofen or more than one dose. 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 displays any severe side effects 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:

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:

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

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 dose and monitor the cat for side effects safely.

Other pain medications FDA approved for use in cats include:

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 for your pet. 

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