Aspirin is extremely toxic to cats. Cats lack the glucuronyl transferase enzyme needed to metabolise salicylates safely, causing them to accumulate to lethal levels. Even a single quarter tablet can cause toxicity in a typical-sized cat. Never give aspirin to cats.
🚨 Emergency
This substance is toxic to cats. If your cat has already ingested it, call ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Toxic Dose Information
This table shows toxic thresholds — not recommended doses. There is no safe dose.
| Dose / Amount | Effect | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Any dose | Toxic | GI ulcers, organ damage |
| 5mg/kg | Early toxicity signs | Vomiting, depression |
| 25mg/kg+ | Severe toxicity | Respiratory distress, seizures |
| Single 325mg tablet | Often fatal | Emergency |
ℹ️ Note: These are TOXIC thresholds, not doses. There is no safe dose of aspirin for cats. (Note: vets sometimes use very low-dose aspirin for specific cardiac conditions — this is specialist use only.)
Never Use These Products
- Aspirin (any dose — even baby aspirin) without specialist vet direction
- Ibuprofen — even more toxic than aspirin in cats
- Naproxen — highly toxic
- Any human NSAID without explicit veterinary prescription
- Paracetamol/Tylenol — one of the most lethal substances for cats
Signs of Toxicity
- Almost never — in rare specialist cases, very low-dose aspirin (5mg per cat, every 48–72 hours) is used for specific cardiac thrombus conditions
- Only ever under direct veterinary supervision with monitoring
Signs of Toxicity
🚨 Emergency Steps
Any ingestion of can cats take aspirin warrants an immediate call to Poison Control.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Baby aspirin (81mg) is still many times over the toxic threshold for a typical-sized cat. Never give aspirin to cats.
Vomiting, weakness, breathing difficulty, and seizures can develop within hours. Call Poison Control immediately.
Only veterinary-prescribed medications — Buprenorphine, Meloxicam (at vet doses), and Gabapentin are commonly used safely for cats.
Yes, significantly. Cats are more sensitive because they lack the enzyme to metabolise it — toxicity accumulates faster.
Call ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Note the amount and your cat's weight. Go to an emergency vet.