Antifreeze poisoning in cats
Also known as Ethylene glycol.
The ethylene glycol in antifreeze tastes sweet, and a teaspoonful can be fatal. The antidote only works in the first few hours.
If you suspect your cat has licked antifreeze, every hour counts.
- System
- Poisoning and accidents
- Is it urgent?
- Usually
- Spreads to other cats
- No
- Spreads to people
- No
- Typical cost in Spain
- Emergency care and hospitalisation, €600–2,500.
Symptoms
- Seems drunk: wobbling
- Vomiting
- Great thirst
- After a few hours, deep lethargy
- Kidney failure within one or two days
Causes
Puddles in garages, poorly closed bottles and other car products that contain it.
How it is diagnosed
Specific blood and urine tests, where available.
Treatment
An antidote in the first few hours and intravenous fluids; afterwards, treatment of kidney failure.
No doses, on purpose: any medicine must be prescribed by your vet for your cat.
Prognosis
Poor if there is already kidney failure; good if treated in the first few hours.
Prevention
Keep antifreeze sealed and clean up any spills.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I suspect antifreeze poisoning?
If you suspect your cat has licked antifreeze, every hour counts. At the vet: an antidote in the first few hours and intravenous fluids; afterwards, treatment of kidney failure.
Can a cat recover from antifreeze poisoning?
Poor if there is already kidney failure; good if treated in the first few hours. An antidote in the first few hours and intravenous fluids; afterwards, treatment of kidney failure.
How much does it cost to treat antifreeze poisoning?
As a guide for Spain in 2026: Emergency care and hospitalisation, €600–2,500. Prices vary a lot between clinics and cities, and out-of-hours emergencies cost more.
How can antifreeze poisoning be prevented?
Keep antifreeze sealed and clean up any spills.
More in poisoning and accidents
Educational content from Michipedia. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a vet: if you have any doubt about your cat's health, ask. Costs are a guide for Spain in 2026.