Emergency? Call now - do not wait for symptoms.
Is Aspirin toxic to dogs or cats?
Category: Medication | Last reviewed: April 2026
Quick verdict
Dogs
CAUTIONCats
TOXICAspirin and dogs
Aspirin is occasionally used in veterinary medicine at specific doses, but human doses are unsafe without vet guidance. Dogs metabolise aspirin much more slowly than humans. GI ulceration and kidney damage are the primary risks. Baby aspirin is not 'safe' for dogs without veterinary direction.
Onset
2-6 hours
Symptoms
- - vomiting
- - black stools
- - diarrhoea
- - abdominal pain
- - lethargy
- - kidney damage at high doses
What to do now
Contact your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) to assess the dose ingested relative to your dog's weight.
Toxicity is dose-dependent. Your dog's weight and the quantity consumed are both important - include these when you call poison control.
Aspirin and cats
Cats eliminate aspirin extremely slowly - it takes a cat 40 hours to metabolise a single aspirin tablet. Repeated doses quickly build to toxic levels. Even one adult aspirin tablet can be fatal to a small cat. Aspirin is contraindicated in cats.
Onset
4-8 hours
Symptoms
- - vomiting
- - lethargy
- - loss of appetite
- - blood in stool
- - respiratory distress
- - seizures
- - liver and kidney failure
What to do now
Contact ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) or your vet immediately for any aspirin ingestion in cats.
Data sources
- - ASPCA Animal Poison Control
- - Merck Veterinary Manual
- - Pet Poison Helpline
Last reviewed: April 2026
Data error? Email data@treatortoxic.com with a source reference.