Giving your cat DayQuil for symptoms that are similar to your own when you take DayQuil might sound like a good idea, but can it do more harm to your cat than good?
DayQuil is manufactured for human consumption, and the folks at Vicks did not plan on you giving it to your feline friend. That means that as they developed it they did not formulate it or test it on cats to see how they react to it. It’s generally not a good idea to give your cat human medication. Some vets will recommend it, but that is on a pet by pet basis and not an across the board nod of approval.
If you suspect that your cat has a cold or flu, it’s likely not the same type of cold and flu that humans get, or that DayQuil is recommended for. Cats aren’t susceptible to the same strains of viruses that go around. If they’ve got a full blown cold, call your vet, tell them the list of symptoms, and they’ll be able to give you a specific recommendation for how to treat your cat.
Can I Give My Cat DayQuil? Answer: No.
DayQuil contains acetaminophen, and this is a type of medicines that you should not give your cat, as it can be toxic. Hopefully you haven’t given it to your cat already, but if so skip to the next section where we discuss what to do for accidental ingestion.
Cats and humans do share many features in common, but often our medications can cause severe reactions in our pets, and they are definitely not interchangeable.
Accidental Ingestion
If your cat has accidentally swallowed some DayQuil, either in pill form or liquid, you should immediately call your vet and ask them what to do. If their office is not open and you don’t have their after-hours number handy, call a pet poison hotline to see what your next steps should be. The number is 888-426-4435 and there is a $65 charge. Your best course of action will vary depending on your cat’s age and size and how much they took in, so you need cat-specific guidance here.
Helping Your Cat Through a Cold
Here are some all-natural things you can do to help your cat with a cold or the feline flu. First, make sure that they have a comfortable place to rest. You may notice that you cat will sleep just about anywhere in your house while they’re well, but when they’re sick they might like there own special bed prepared.
Nourish Them with High Quality Food
One of the best things you can do for your cat when they’re ailing is to upgrade their food. If you currently get your cat the bargain cat food, consider getting them a vet-recommended brand of food while they’re sick. Nothing is more important to your cat’s health than their food intake, and some of the better brands really do formulate the food better than the less expensive brands. This includes putting ingredients that your cat would more likely eat in the wild. They cut out the veggie and grain fillers and put more meat in the food.
You may also want to consider keeping your cat on this new cat food even after they get better. You’ll notice that they have more energy, have a better coat of hair, and that they strain less when going to the bathroom. Not only does it provide short term benefits, but it also keeps them healthy for the long term so you get more years of enjoyment from your cat. Since they pretty much handle their own exercise needs, and you don’t have to worry about taking them for walks or cleaning up their poop in the park like a dog, the one thing you can really control is the food you eat.
So to recap: You definitely don’t want to give your cat DayQuil, it’s not good for them at all and can actually be quite toxic to their body. If you’ve found that you cat has gotten into your supply, call the vet or an after hours poison hotline for what to do.