All hazards › Medications › Metformin (Glucophage) & cats

Is Metformin (Glucophage) Safe for Cats?

☠️ Toxic
✅ Cross-checked against veterinary poison-control guidance · Oct 2026 audit
⚠️ Educational info only. If your pet just ate or touched something and looks unwell, skip the reading and call your vet — or Pet Poison Helpline (US): (855) 764-7661, ASPCA Poison Control (US): (888) 426-4435.
No. Metformin can cause dangerous hypoglycemia and acidosis in cats — treat any ingestion as urgent and call your vet promptly.

Why it’s a problem

Cats are much smaller than humans, so a human tablet is a substantial overdose for them. Metformin exposure has been reported to cause severe low blood sugar, vomiting, and, in significant ingestions, lactic acidosis, which can be fatal. Feline metabolism leaves little room for error with this drug.

How to keep your pet safe

Store metformin in a closed cabinet and never leave tablets loose on counters where cats knock things down. Diabetes care for a cat must come from a veterinarian with feline-specific treatment plans.

Warning signs to watch for

Vomiting, lethargy, weakness, wobbliness, trembling, drooling; severe cases: collapse, seizures from hypoglycemia, rapid breathing, unresponsiveness.

When to call the vet

Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline promptly — do not wait for symptoms in a cat. Report the tablet strength and the maximum number possibly eaten.

Common questions

My cat swallowed one of my diabetes pills — is it serious?

Yes — one human metformin tablet is a large dose for a cat and can cause dangerous hypoglycemia. Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away.

Can I give my diabetic cat my metformin?

No. Feline diabetes treatment is entirely different from human treatment and must be veterinarian-directed. Human diabetes drugs can be fatal to cats.

More medications hazards for cats

🐱 Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)☠️ ToxicNo. Ibuprofen is highly toxic to cats — even a quarter of a tablet can cause life-threatening po🐱 Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol)☠️ ToxicNo. Acetaminophen is one of the deadliest human medicines for cats — a single regular-strength t🐱 Naproxen (Aleve)☠️ ToxicNo. Naproxen is extremely toxic to cats, and even a fraction of a tablet can cause fatal kidney 🐱 Aspirin☠️ ToxicNo. Cats process aspirin extremely slowly, so it builds up in their body — aspirin can be genuin🐱 Diclofenac gel (Voltaren)☠️ ToxicNo. Diclofenac gel is especially lethal to cats, which can be poisoned just by grooming it off a🐱 Celecoxib (Celebrex)☠️ ToxicNo. Celecoxib is dangerous for cats, which are among the most NSAID-sensitive animals — any inge

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate or touched something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. In the US: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 (fees may apply).