Four Medications You Should Never Give a Cat

I am on the email list for Petplace.com and every so often they send an email that has important information I feel compelled to share just in case someone who sees this didn't know.  So - here you go - the four meds you should never give to a cat:

It is not uncommon for a well-intentioned owner to accidentally poison their cat with medications that are not intended for pets. You should NEVER give your cat medication without first checking with your veterinarian. But some medications used for humans are also given to animals under certain conditions.

So... what medications should you never give? I'll tell you. 

1. Aspirin - Toxicity from aspirin (salicylate toxicity) is poisoning which occurs following the ingestion of aspirin or aspirin-containing products. Cats are more susceptible than dogs to the effects of aspirin because they are unable to metabolize the drug as quickly. If your cat ingests aspirin, take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment. If you live more than 30 minutes from the veterinary hospital, call ahead for advice on whether or not to induce vomiting at home prior to transportation.

2. Ibuprofen - This is a popular and effective over-the-counter medication recommended for treating pain and inflammation in humans. For cats, ibuprofen can easily exceed toxic levels. The most common cause of ibuprofen toxicity is a well-meaning owner who tries to alleviate pain in his or her cat by administering a dose that the owner thinks is adequate, without knowing what a toxic dose might be. The initial toxic effect is bleeding stomach ulcers but increasing doses of ibuprofen eventually lead to kidney failure and, if left untreated, can be fatal. 

3. Pyrethrin and Permethrin Insecticides - The most common types of insecticide used to kill fleas are pyrethrins. Permethrin-based topical flea products are usually labeled "for use in dogs only." Application of permethrin-based insecticide to a cat will usually result in toxic signs within 6 hours which include drooling, lethargy, muscle tremors, vomiting, and seizures. 

4. Tylenol - Acetaminophen is a medication commonly used to alleviate fever and pain. Common brands include Tylenol®, Percoset®, the aspirin-free medication Excedrin®, and various sinus, cold and flu medications. Cats are much more sensitive to acetaminophen than dogs and are therefore more susceptible to acetaminophen toxicity. One regular strength acetaminophen tablet is toxic and potentially lethal to a cat. There is no home care for acetaminophen toxicity.