What are the symptoms of Nicotine and vape liquid poisoning in cats?

vomiting, drooling, tremors, weakness, collapse

Nicotine and vape liquid

Q: What if my cat ate Nicotine and vape liquid?

Toxic: Toxic — concentrated vape juice is the high-risk form. Cigarettes, gum, patches, and especially nicotine e-liquid cause vomiting, then tremors, weakness, and in severe cases collapse. A puddle of vape juice is a large dose for a cat. Source: ASPCA.

Q: Is Cannabis and CBD also safe for cats?

Toxic: Toxic — THC makes cats wobbly and miserable. CBD is not automatically safe.

Toxic

Verdict

Toxic — concentrated vape juice is the high-risk form.

Toxic principle: nicotine (especially concentrated vape liquid)

Also called: vape, e-cigarette, vape juice, cigarette, nicotine gum

Source: ASPCA · Verified 2026-08-13

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

Cigarettes, gum, patches, and especially nicotine e-liquid cause vomiting, then tremors, weakness, and in severe cases collapse. A puddle of vape juice is a large dose for a cat.

Symptoms to watch for

• vomiting
• drooling
• tremors
• weakness
• collapse

What to do

Call a vet or poison control. Bring the bottle so they can estimate nicotine strength.

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

Related foods

Cannabis and CBD

Toxic

Toxic — THC makes cats wobbly and miserable. CBD is not automatically safe.

Other exposures

SSRI antidepressants

Toxic

Toxic in overdose — serotonin syndrome is an emergency. Do not start these at home.

Prescription

Iron supplements

Toxic

Toxic — elemental iron in adult or prenatal tablets can damage the gut and liver.

Over the counter

Thyroid medication

Toxic

Toxic in overdose — too much thyroid hormone or methimazole is a vet problem, not a home adjustment.

Prescription