- Expanding (polyurethane) glue is worst
- Within hours
- Affects: Stomach (forms a mass)
Why this verdict for cats
Expanding glues harden in a cat’s stomach into a blockage that often requires surgery. Treat ingestion as an emergency.
Warning signs to watch for
- Retching
- Swollen belly
- Not eating
⚠ If your cat ate glue
Act immediately — don't wait for symptoms.
- Call your vet or a pet poison helpline right away.
- Note how much was eaten and when.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to.
Glue covers everything from a harmless school glue stick to one of the more dramatic surgical emergencies a vet sees. The difference comes down to two words on the label: polyurethane, and expanding.
How much is safe?
Expanding polyurethane construction adhesives — the Gorilla Glue family and similar wood glues — are the dangerous ones, and the amount needed is small. These glues react with moisture and foam, so a few tablespoons swallowed will expand in the warm, wet stomach into a rigid mass several times its original volume. That mass takes the shape of the stomach, cannot be vomited up and cannot pass. Ordinary white PVA school glue, glue sticks and most craft glues are far less serious and usually cause only an upset stomach. Super glue (cyanoacrylate) sets instantly and can bond the mouth or tongue but rarely causes internal blockage.
What happens if a cat eats too much?
With expanding glue, the picture builds over hours: retching without producing anything, drooling, a visibly swollen and painful belly, restlessness, refusing food, and lethargy. Because the mass is solid and rigid, it obstructs completely rather than partially, and it presses on the diaphragm and blood vessels as it grows.
⚠ What to do if your cat ate glue
Go to a veterinary hospital immediately with the glue container (ASPCA 888-426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 on the way). Do not induce vomiting — the glue will already be foaming and can be inhaled, and a partly set mass will not come up. Surgery to remove the hardened cast is the usual outcome, and it is far safer done before the stomach wall is compromised. If it was ordinary school glue, a phone call is usually enough to confirm you can monitor at home.
⚠️ Worried your pet got into this?
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell which kind of glue it was?
Read the label for 'polyurethane' or any claim about expanding or foaming. Those are the surgical ones. PVA, school glue and glue sticks are much lower risk.
The glue got on my dog's fur — should I wash it off?
Yes for wet glue, using warm soapy water. Never use acetone or nail polish remover on a pet. If it has set hard against the skin, let a vet or groomer trim it out.
More household items for cats
By the CanMyPet Editorial Team · Reviewed against ASPCA Animal Poison Control, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Pet Poison Helpline · Last updated July 31, 2026.
Sources
- ASPCA — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- American Kennel Club — Dog Nutrition
- Pet Poison Helpline — Poison List