Can cats drink alcohol?

Updated 12/05/2023

Even though some scientists believe that the odd glass of wine can be good for us humans, can other species enjoy a beverage or two? Can cats drink alcohol? Let’s find out…

Can cats drink alcohol?

You might be wondering if cats can consume alcohol because you’ve seen the so-called ‘cat wine’ in the pet section of your local supermarket. The truth is, this isn’t wine at all - it’s most likely catnip mixed with other kitty-safe liquids. So, yes, the drinks that are marketed as “cat wine” but are fully cat-safe and contain no traces of alcohol are generally safe for felines in small quantities. Although it’s important to note that any dietary changes can upset our cat’s stomachs, so it’s important to be careful when introducing any new foods or drinks into their diet. If you’re changing your cat’s diet, it’s important to do it gradually over a number of days.

But what about the alcohol we humans enjoy? Is that safe for our feline friends? It’s a straight-up no for this. Not only is alcohol inherently bad for cats, causing all kinds of nasty reactions (we’ll come to those later), cats’ bodies are a lot smaller than those of humans. So, whatever they ingest will affect them a whole lot more - a small sip to us is equivalent to a huge gulp to our kitty friends. So, under no circumstances should you be allowing your kitty so much as a taste of your Friday night beverages.

Can cats have alcohol if it’s cooked into something?

Can you give cats alcohol if it’s cooked into something, like a cake? Well while the cooking process aims to ‘cook off’ the alcohol content, there’s no complete guarantee that it’ll be completely gone, so it’s not worth the risk in our books. And more often than not, alcohol is cooked into things that aren’t safe for cats anyway. Take cake, for example. Not only is it extremely high in fat (a characteristic that should be steered clear of), it also contains butter (cats are lactose intolerant), and potentially other harmful ingredients, like coffee and chocolate. Then think of the sauces that wine is often cooked into - these often contain onion, garlic, and milk or cream - all human foods that can be seriously harmful for cats. If you think your cat has eaten/drank any of these, it’s really important to contact your veterinarian to discuss the next best step for your pet.

Why is alcohol bad for cats?

Consuming alcohol can cause your kitty to change their behavior or lose consciousness. Plus even other more serious consequences can occur, like kidney or liver failure, metabolic acidosis, respiratory problems, cardiac arrest, and death. Even a really small amount of alcohol could be toxic to your pet. Cats can get alcohol poisoning, which can lead to serious health issues and even death. 

It’s extremely important to contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your cat may have ingested alcohol, or a sauce/food containing alcohol. Seeking prompt veterinary advice and getting your cat in for an examination will help give them the best chance of recovery.

Meet our veterinary expert, Evie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Evie Moloney RCVS. Evie is a vet surgeon who graduated from the University College Dublin, which is the only university offering the veterinary medicine degree in Ireland. She really enjoys surgery and has also worked as an emergency and critical care vet. She is passionate about sharing education about preventative health care 
for pets, especially the importance of regular dog and cat teeth brushing at home. She also enjoys helping owners find practical solutions for keeping pets as comfortable as possible while living with conditions such as arthritis. When not working, she enjoys hiking and swimming. 

Other foods that aren’t safe for cats

Maybe it was a tad obvious that alcohol isn’t right for kitties, but what about the other foods that we humans enjoy? Can cats tuck into many other delicacies their humans love to chow down on? Before becoming a kitty parent, be sure to get clued-up on what your cat can and can’t eat. To start you off, find a few foods and drinks below that aren’t safe for cats…

• Coffee
• Ice cream
• Cherries
• Chocolate