Aspirin and Salicylates
Aspirin is one of the most commonly used pain medications. It's often prescribed for treating arthritis or cardiomyopathies (enlarged heart), as well as for pain relief. But cats have smaller quantities of glucuronyl transferase, an enzyme necessary to metabolize certain drugs, than most other animals. The small amount of this enzyme prolongs the length of time that a medication is present in a cat's blood- stream, and significantly decreases the amount of drug needed to produce the desired effect. Aspirin can be used safely in cats as long as the dosage prescribed specifically by a veterinarian is followed. Clinical signs of an overdose include panting and fever, increased bleeding time for wounds, vomiting - often with blood present - liver damage, seizures, coma and death. Beware of hidden dangers: any product that contains salicylate has a form of aspirin in it. For instance, two tablespoons of bismuth salicylate contain the equivalent of one aspirin.

Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen (the main ingredient in Tylenol®) should never be given to cats. A single tablet can be lethal. As with aspirin, the small amount of glucuronyl transferase prevents cats from metabolizing the drug like most animals. Clinical signs of toxicity include depression, panting, swollen paws and face, anemia and liver damage.

NSAIDs
Most homes have at least one product in the medicine cabinet containing ibuprofen, carprofen, etodolac, or other NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). Carprofen and etodolac are approved for use in dogs and are commonly prescribed for chronic pain, such as occurs with arthritis. Although some NSAIDs can be used safely in cats, they are usually limited to one to three doses at reduced strengths. These NSAIDs are generally given after surgeries as a single injection, and then the cat is placed on other forms of medication. Clinical signs of an NSAID overdose include gastric and intestinal ulcers, which can bleed and, in severe cases, perforate. NSAIDs can also cause acute renal (kidney) failure and death.

Are Pain Medications Poisonous to Cats?

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