Can cats drink coffee?

Updated 12/05/2023

If you’re a cat and coffee lover like us, sipping on a freshly-poured, steaming blend with your kitty by your side is synonymous with pure heaven. But while a cup a day gives us humans the caffeine kicks we crave, can cats drink coffee? Or will they need to get their kicks elsewhere? Let’s find out…

Can cats drink coffee?

So is coffee safe for cats? It’s a definite no for this one - coffee is extremely dangerous to cats and should be steered clear of for our feline friends. So if you’re wondering whether coffee can kill cats, the answer is yes. While after learning this you won’t be letting your kitty lap at your morning cup of Joe, it’s also worth thinking about where you keep your stash. These days, many households are home to a coffee machine that requires fresh coffee or pods that make a morning brew simple to put together. While these might make life easier for us humans, they’re also super easy for our fluffy friends (especially those with pointy claws!) to get into. So to make sure your kitty can’t claw their way into your stash, pack it away in a place they won’t be able to open or reach.

Why is coffee bad for cats?

As you’ll know, coffee is high in caffeine, which is why it’s so terrible for our feline friends. Cats are much more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than us humans. Caffeine raises the blood pressure and can cause cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat). It can also cause a loss of muscle control, resulting in tremors and even seizures. You might also be aware that caffeine affects the intestinal tract, so it can cause vomiting and diarrhea for our feline friends.

Can cats eat coffee-flavored food?

So can cats have coffee if it’s cooked into something? Again, it’s a straight no for this one. While sneaking your favorite feline a bite of coffee cake might seem like a treat, there really are hundreds of other cat-friendly treats you could choose from that won't harm their health. So don’t worry about your feline friend missing out on the flavor - coffee simply isn’t worth the risk!

Is coffee poisonous to cats?

Yes, coffee is highly poisonous to cats and should never be fed to our feline friends. If you’re worried your cat has ingested coffee grounds, granules, liquid coffee or something flavored with it, contact your vet immediately.

Signs your cat has ingested coffee

• Hyperactivity
• Vomiting
• Restlessness/irritability 
• Elevated body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure 
• Tremours 
• Seizures 
• Collapse

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.

Other foods that aren’t safe for cats

While some human foods might be common sense to avoid for our kitty pals, others are maybe harder to decide upon. Like any responsible pet parent, make sure you’re clued-up about what your feline family member can and can’t eat. Here are a few to get you started…

• Tea
• Chocolate
• Cola
• Garlic
• Onion
• Grapes 
• Raisins
• Citrus fruits 
• Raw meat, eggs and fish 
• Dairy products