All hazards › Household › Glyphosate Weed Killer (Roundup) & cats

Is Glyphosate Weed Killer (Roundup) Safe for Cats?

🚫 Not Safe
✅ 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.
Risky while wet. Glyphosate spray on fur gets groomed off into a cat’s stomach, though fully dried treated grass is low risk.

Why it’s a problem

A cat crossing sprayed grass collects residue on paws and belly, then ingests it during normal grooming. The surfactants in weed killers irritate the mouth and gut more than the glyphosate itself. Indoor cats are mainly at risk from a roamer’s contaminated coat or from concentrate spilled indoors.

How to keep your pet safe

Keep the cat inside during and after spraying until the plants are completely dry, commonly about 24 hours. Wipe paws and belly with a damp cloth if outdoor contact is suspected.

Warning signs to watch for

Drooling, foaming at the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, pawing at the face, low appetite.

When to call the vet

Wipe any residue off the coat with a damp cloth and call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline with the product name. Do not scrub the mouth with soap and do not induce vomiting at home.

Common questions

My cat came home smelling like weed killer, what now?

Wipe or damp-clean the coat to stop further grooming and call a veterinarian or pet poison hotline for advice. Note which product it was, because surfactant content drives the risk.

My cat groomed its paws right after I finished spraying weeds, is that bad?

It can be, because the spray was still wet. Wipe the paws and mouth with a damp cloth and call a vet or pet poison hotline for advice.

More household hazards for cats

🐱 Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol)☠️ ToxicNo. Antifreeze kills cats at tiny doses — just a few licks from a puddle can cause fatal kidney 🐱 Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite)🚫 Not SafeRisky. Dried surfaces and aired fumes are usually fine, but liquid bleach burns a cat’s mouth an🐱 Rat Poison (Anticoagulant Rodenticide)☠️ ToxicNo. Rat poison can kill cats, though they are more often poisoned by eating affected rodents tha🐱 Snail & Slug Bait (Metaldehyde)☠️ ToxicNo. Metaldehyde is toxic to cats too, though they are exposed less often than dogs — usually by 🐱 Ant Baits & Traps (Borax / Avermectin)🚫 Not SafeNo. Ant baits are low in toxicity for cats, but plastic trap parts and sticky gel residue make t🐱 Permethrin Yard & Bug Sprays☠️ ToxicNo. Permethrin is highly poisonous to cats — even tiny amounts from grooming contaminated fur or

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).