Can cats drink alcohol?
No. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can be extremely toxic to cats, and cats are especially sensitive to it. Keep drinks, foods made with alcohol and products like hand sanitiser away from your cat, and call your vet if your cat swallows any.
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Why
All animals can get alcohol poisoning, but cats are especially sensitive. Alcohol is not only in drinks: it can also be in liqueur sweets, hand sanitiser, mouthwash and raw, rising bread dough. Signs usually appear quickly after a cat swallows it.
Signs to watch for
- Unusual drowsiness or dullness
- Difficulty walking, wobbliness
- Slow breathing
- In severe cases: seizures or collapse
What to do
Contact your vet or a pet poison helpline right away. Note what your cat swallowed, how much and when, and keep the bottle or packaging. Don't wait for signs to appear, and don't try to make your cat sick at home.
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Where else can alcohol hide?
Besides drinks, alcohol can be found in liqueur sweets, hand sanitiser, mouthwash and raw, rising bread dough.
Related foods
All foods: What can cats eat?Sources
- Alcohol Poisoning — VCA Animal Hospitals (R. Schmid, A. Brutlag; updated May 2026)
- Cats and human foods — Cats Protection
- PDSA Hidden Hazards guide (PDF) — PDSA
- Common cat poisons and toxins — Blue Cross
- Cats and poisons — International Cat Care
General information from the sources below, not reviewed by a vet and not a substitute for veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your vet.
How kids practise this in PetPrep
In PetPrep a child looks after a realistic cat: meals at the right times, water, walks and care. Knowing what is safe to share is part of being ready for a real pet.