What are the symptoms of Alcohol poisoning in cats?

vomiting, disorientation, difficulty walking or stumbling, slow breathing, low body temperature, seizures, coma

Alcohol

Q: Can cats eat Alcohol?

Dangerous: Deadly — cats have zero tolerance for ethanol. Alcohol affects cats far more severely than humans or even dogs. A cat's small body size means even a teaspoon of spirits can cause dangerous blood alcohol levels. Cats lack the liver enzymes to metabolize ethanol efficiently. Even small amounts — beer, wine, spirits, rubbing alcohol, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, or foods cooked with alcohol — can cause central nervous system depression, dangerously low blood sugar, respiratory failure, and death. Source: ASPCA.

Dangerous

Verdict

Deadly — cats have zero tolerance for ethanol.

Toxic principle: ethanol

Source: ASPCA · Verified 2026-06-12

If your cat ate this

Cats hide symptoms — don't wait and see. Even small amounts of certain substances can be fatal to a cat. Act fast.

1. Call your veterinarian immediately
US — National hotline: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 aspca.org(24/7, Consultation fee may apply.)
US — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee; also covers Canada.)
GB — National hotline: Animal PoisonLine 01202 509 000 animalpoisonline.co.uk(24/7, £35 per call (8am–8pm weekdays), £45 at other times.)
AU — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 1300 869 738 animalpoisons.com.au(24/7)
NZ — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 0800 869 738 poisons.co.nz(11am–7pm NZ time (currently being extended), Charges apply.)
CA — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee.)

Verified 2026-08-06

Verdict

Alcohol affects cats far more severely than humans or even dogs. A cat's small body size means even a teaspoon of spirits can cause dangerous blood alcohol levels. Cats lack the liver enzymes to metabolize ethanol efficiently. Even small amounts — beer, wine, spirits, rubbing alcohol, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, or foods cooked with alcohol — can cause central nervous system depression, dangerously low blood sugar, respiratory failure, and death.

Symptoms to watch for

• vomiting
• disorientation
• difficulty walking or stumbling
• slow breathing
• low body temperature
• seizures
• coma

What to do

Treat as a veterinary emergency. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a veterinarian. Keep all alcoholic beverages and alcohol-based products well out of reach.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 aspca.org