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Cat Health

Can I Give My Cat Ibuprofen UK?

Published Last updated 2 min read

Quick answer

Never give ibuprofen (Nurofen) or any human painkiller to a cat. Cats are extremely sensitive to ibuprofen — even one tablet can cause fatal kidney failure. If your cat swallowed any human medication, phone your vet or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 immediately. Only use medicines prescribed by your vet.

Key takeaways

  • No — never give ibuprofen, Nurofen, or any human NSAID to a cat. Cats cannot safely metabolise ibuprofen. Even one tablet can cause kidney failure and death.
  • Cats are far more sensitive than dogs. A single 200 mg ibuprofen tablet can be fatal to an average cat. There is no safe human dose.
  • Vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and collapse. Kidney failure may develop rapidly. Early treatment is critical.

Why ibuprofen kills cats

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) designed for humans — ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac — are among the most common causes of preventable poisoning in UK cats.

Cats lack efficient pathways to metabolise these drugs. Toxic effects include:

  • Stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Acute kidney failure — can develop within hours
  • Neurological signs in severe cases

There is no safe human dose for cats.

Common exposure routes

  • Tablets dropped on the floor
  • Well-meaning owners treating limping or pain at home
  • Access to handbags or bedside cabinets
  • Assumption that "children's doses" are safe — they are not

Symptoms

  • Vomiting (sometimes with blood)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy and weakness
  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Collapse

Symptoms may appear within hours. Do not wait — kidney damage can be irreversible.

What to do if your cat ate ibuprofen

  1. Phone your vet or Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000, charges apply) immediately
  2. State the number of tablets, strength (mg), and time eaten
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet instructs you
  4. Attend your vet promptly — early treatment significantly improves survival

See ibuprofen poisoning in pets for full guidance.

Safe pain relief for cats

Only your vet can prescribe cat-safe pain relief — options exist but require professional dosing and monitoring. Never share medications between pets.

Sources & further reading

Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.

PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-07-19).

More on this topic

Also see symptoms, symptom checker, and poison guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give my cat ibuprofen for pain?
No — never give ibuprofen, Nurofen, or any human NSAID to a cat. Cats cannot safely metabolise ibuprofen. Even one tablet can cause kidney failure and death.
How much ibuprofen is toxic to cats?
Cats are far more sensitive than dogs. A single 200 mg ibuprofen tablet can be fatal to an average cat. There is no safe human dose.
What are signs of ibuprofen poisoning in cats?
Vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and collapse. Kidney failure may develop rapidly. Early treatment is critical.
What should I do if my cat ate ibuprofen?
Phone your vet or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 immediately with tablet strength and number eaten. Do not wait for symptoms — early treatment saves lives.