Household danger · 2 min read

Is Gorilla Glue (polyurethane adhesive) dangerous for cats?

No — dangerous

No. Gorilla Glue and similar polyurethane adhesives expand massively when in contact with stomach acid, forming a foreign body that often requires surgical removal.

If your cat has just eaten gorilla glue (polyurethane adhesive)

  1. Do not induce vomiting — the expanding foam can lodge in the esophagus.
  2. Call your vet immediately — surgery is often required.
  3. If you can't reach a vet, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 ($95 consult fee) or Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661.
  4. Bring the glue packaging for identification.

What's the full picture?

Expanding polyurethane adhesives (Gorilla Glue, Elmer's ProBond) react with moisture and rapidly expand — up to 3–4 times their original volume in a cat's stomach. The expanded mass forms a solid foreign body that usually can't be vomited up and needs surgery to remove.

Cats are less often exposed than dogs (less chewing of tubes) but accidents happen, especially with spilled glue on paws that the cat then licks off.

Symptoms to watch for

Within hours
Retching, drooling, loss of appetite, swollen abdomen.
Hours to days
Persistent vomiting, unable to keep food down — foreign body obstruction.

If you're worried right now

Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet first. For poison advice, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (US) is on (888) 426-4435 — 24/7, charges apply. Your vet can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA APCC) directly.

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About this guidance

Every entry on this site is compiled from published US veterinary toxicology sources — AAFP, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA APCC) references, AVMA-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.

This is general information written for US cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The ASPCA Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.

Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.

Last reviewed: · By the Cat Ate It editorial team

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