Food safety

Can Cats Drink Coffee?

Toxic — call your vet now — Coffee for cats.

Toxic — call your vet now

Why: Coffee contains caffeine, which is toxic to cats. Caffeine affects the heart and nervous system — restlessness, a racing heart, tremors and seizures can follow even a small amount, and coffee grounds and beans are more concentrated than the drink.

If your cat ate coffee: Call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Note how much was drunk and whether it was grounds or beans. Restlessness, vomiting, a racing heart or tremors need emergency care.

Related: Chocolate, Beer, Soda

Why this verdict

Coffee contains caffeine, which is toxic to cats. Caffeine affects the heart and nervous system — restlessness, a racing heart, tremors and seizures can follow even a small amount, and coffee grounds and beans are more concentrated than the drink.

If your cat ate coffee

Call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Note how much was drunk and whether it was grounds or beans. Restlessness, vomiting, a racing heart or tremors need emergency care.

Related foods

Chocolate, Beer, Soda

Check another food

Back to the Food-Safety Checker to check all 90 foods, or see the beginner feeding guide and the feeding estimator.

Before you use the result

Use the result as a starting point for observation and planning. Cats vary by age, body condition, temperament, medical history, and household setup.

Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and the Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat. Chocolate toxicity figures are approximate values from the Merck Veterinary Manual. If your cat ate something on the toxic list, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.