Nothing found. Try the Latin name or the product name.
Search
Nothing found. Try the Latin name or the product name.
Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
Para-aminophenol analgesic and antipyretic. Toxic doses for cat from published sources; they are not treatment doses. Used in veterinary practice (dog); overdose thresholds from published sources, not treatment doses.
Toxic doses
Single acute ingestion, mg of the substance per kg of body weight. These are toxic doses, not treatment doses.
| Species | Signs begin | Severe | Deaths reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dog
Used in veterinary practice: overdose threshold |
from 100 mg/kg | from 200 mg/kg | not established |
MSD Vet Manual 2024 · Wismer 2011 (ASPCA APCC) +1
High confidence
A veterinary manual and poison-centre reviews agree. Reference book A veterinary reference written and reviewed by specialists, summarising accepted practice. The product label gives the authorised dose. MSD Veterinary Manual, Professional version, reviewed Jul 2024, 2024 signs rarely below 100, methaemoglobinaemia over 200 Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. dvm360, Conference proceedings, 2011 liver injury reported at 100 Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. dvm360, Conference proceedings, 2009 dry eye after 40, methaemoglobinaemia at 200 |
|
Cat
No safe dose |
from 10 mg/kg | from 40 mg/kg | not established |
MSD Vet Manual 2024 · Allen 2003 +1
High confidence
All sources agree there is no safe dose; older sources put the usual toxic dose at 50-100 mg/kg, the lower figure is shown. Reference book A veterinary reference written and reviewed by specialists, summarising accepted practice. The product label gives the authorised dose. MSD Veterinary Manual, Professional version, reviewed Jul 2024, 2024 signs from 10, toxicosis usually from 40-50 Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. Canadian Veterinary Journal, Can Vet J 2003;44(6):509-510, 2003 no safe dose; signs and death reported at 10 Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. dvm360, Conference proceedings, 2011 no safe dose for cats |
Dog
Signs: Vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, jaundice (liver necrosis), swelling of the face and paws, fast heart and breathing, dark mucous membranes at higher doses, dry eye.
Paracetamol is used in dogs at veterinary doses (in the UK a paracetamol and codeine product is authorised for dogs). Above them the liver is mainly affected; methaemoglobinaemia from about 200 mg/kg. Dry eye has been reported after 40 mg/kg. Repeated dosing harms at lower doses.
Cat
Signs: Brown or bluish mucous membranes (methaemoglobinaemia), difficult breathing, swelling of the face and paws, Heinz-body anaemia, brown urine, hypothermia, vomiting, jaundice.
There is no safe dose for cats: they can hardly glucuronidate paracetamol. Signs are reported from 10 mg/kg (part of one tablet), and in one report deaths at that dose.
Safety information
Known Contraindications
-
Critical
(Cat) Do not give paracetamol (acetaminophen) to cats at any dose. Cats can hardly glucuronidate it; methaemoglobinaemia, Heinz-body anaemia and swelling of the face and paws are reported from 10 mg/kg (part of one tablet), and deaths at that dose.
Professional reference for veterinary professionals. Not advertising and not a substitute for the product label/SPC.
For veterinary professionals only. It does not replace clinical judgement or the product label; check the dose in the official label (SPC). vetman is not liable for harm caused by using this information.
Trademarks belong to their owners; vetman is not affiliated with the manufacturers and receives no payment from them.
The database is protected under Chapter VII of the Law of Georgia on Copyright and Related Rights; automated or bulk copying is prohibited.
This reference is still growing. Missing a product? Let us know. · Report an error or request an addition · Updated: 19 Oct 2026