---
title: "Can I Give My Cat Ibuprofen UK?"
description: "UK guide — never give ibuprofen or Nurofen to cats. Even one tablet causes kidney failure. Emergency steps and Animal PoisonLine contact."
url: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/can-i-give-my-cat-ibuprofen-uk"
canonical: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/can-i-give-my-cat-ibuprofen-uk"
date_published: "2026-07-19"
date_modified: "2026-07-19"
source: "PETHEALTH+"
---

# Can I Give My Cat Ibuprofen UK?

**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.

## 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](/health/ibuprofen-poisoning-pets-uk) 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.

## FAQs

### 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.

## Sources

- [PDSA — Never medicate pets yourself](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub)
- [Animal PoisonLine](https://www.animalpoisonline.co.uk)
- [Blue Cross — Cat health](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice)
- [BVA — Pet poisons](https://www.bva.co.uk)

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Last modified: 2026-07-19