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Gabapentin is a very safe and effective drug for cats that suffer from chronic pain or anxiety-related conditions. Although gabapentin is excellent at treating chronic pain, it is also excellent at treating neuropathic pain. Spinal conditions in cats can cause nerve pain. Gabapentin Dosage for Cats. The dosage for gabapentin may vary depending on a cat’s size, as well as whether it’s being used as a pain medication, as part of seizure management, or as a sedative before vet visits or travel. For sedation and to manage anxiety, gabapentin doses in cats may be higher than when used for pain. The dose range for most cats is 50 mg to 200 mg and rarely exceeds 200 mg. When used before a stressful event, gabapentin should be given at least 2 to 3 hours before the event. Key Takeaways: Quick Answers About Gabapentin for Cats 📝. What is gabapentin used for in cats? Pain relief, anxiety reduction, and seizure control. What is the standard dosage? 💊 5-40 mg/kg depending on the condition. Can gabapentin cause side effects? 🚨 Yes, sedation and ataxia are common but mild. Is it safe for long-term use? Gabapentin 50–150 mg/cat PO, 20–40 mg/kg PO (dog) 2–3 hr before visit Use label dose for patient size** Light sedation Opioid Butorphanol 0.2–0.4 mg/kg IV/IM Give oral anxiolytic at home 2-3 hours prior to visit. Options: Gabapentin 20 mg/kg PO 2 - 3 hours prior to leaving home. Trazodone approx. 10 mg/kg PO 2 hours prior to leaving home. Liquid preparations can facilitate administration of the medication and accuracy of dosing. Gabapentin (50 – 100 mg per cat or 150 mg if big cat, PO, 2 – 3 hours before arrival) • Sprinkle the gabapentin powder on 1 TBS wet food and add flavor enhancer (eg, FortiFlora, tuna juice, etc). How much Gabapentin for Cats? According to pet experts and veterinarians, the safe dose of gabapentin for treating seizures in cats is 2-5mg/lb or 5-10mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours. For feline pain, the ideal amount of the medicine is 1.25 to 2 mg/kg every 12 hours. This study set out to investigate the effect of giving a single dose of gabapentin for fear-based aggressive behaviors in cats during veterinary visits. The researchers compared a dose of either 100 or 200 mg/cat to placebo capsules 2 hours prior to the vet visit. Correlations between favorable outcomes were measured based on compliance scores. Some cats will need the injectable sedation in addition to gabapentin, and this is okay. Downing’s preferred protocol is acepromazine (1 mg/mL at 0.02 mg/kg), hydromorphone (2 mg/mL at 0.05 mg/kg), and midazolam (5 mg/mL at 1/4 of the normal anesthetic induction dose) given subcutaneously 15 minutes prior to the appointment. Oral gabapentin in cats – often without additional sedation/premedication – can be used by house-call and clinic-bound veterinarians to facilitate examination, blood draws, cystocentesis and additional injections. Cats received either gabapentin or placebo for 2 weeks and then switched groups for a further two weeks. In the cats receiving gabapentin, owner assessed QoL was improved. With mobility assessed using an accelerometer placed on the cat's collar, a decrease in activity was noted which was attributed to sedation. Dose for petite or geriatric cats: reduce dose to 50 mg per cat NB: The sedative dose (>20 mg/kg) is higher than the analgesic dose of gabapentin in cats (gabapentin for analgesia in cats = 5 – 10 mg/kg or 25 – 50 mg per cat, PO, BID) The use of pre-hospital gabapentin has been the single most effective tool for NB: The sedative dose (>20 mg/kg) is higher than the analgesic dose of gabapentin in cats (gabapentin for analgesia in cats = 5 – 10 mg/kg or 25 – 50 mg per cat, PO, BID) The use of pre-hospital gabapentin has been the single most effective tool for reducing fear and anxiety in healthy cats that I and many clinicians have used. Typical dosages for pain relief range from 1.25 to 2 mg/kg every 12 hours. If it’s for seizures, the dosage is usually between 2-5 mg/lb or 5-10 mg/kg, administered every 8 to 12 hours. RESULTS Owner-assessed cat stress scores during transportation and veterinary examination and veterinarian-assessed compliance scores were significantly lower when cats received gabapentin than when they received the placebo. Sedation was a common effect of gabapentin administration, and ataxia, hypersalivation, and vomiting were also reported. Using a double-blinded, placebo-controlled design, cats were given a single dose of placebo, low dose gaba-pentin (50 mg/cat), or high dose gabapentin (100 mg/cat) in a 1-mL sugar solution. A blinded observer scored each cat for fear, sedation, respiratory rate, and facial injuries at the time of administration, 1, 2, 3, and 12 h after Gabapentin's peak activity occurs approximately two hours after taking it by mouth. Side Effects. Sedation and incoordination are the chief side effects of concern, though they are temporary and resolve in a few hours. Cats may also vomit or drool, but these side effects should resolve within 8 hours of receiving the medication. Clinical studies showed the Schedule V controlled substance to be efficacious for reducing acute feline fear during transportation and veterinary visits. Healthy cats exhibited minimal sedation and side effects. Compared with gabapentin, pregabalin is more potent, requires a smaller dose, and has a longer duration of action. Take-Home Points Determining how much gabapentin to give your cat for sedation requires careful consideration and professional veterinary advice. Understanding gabapentin’s role, dosage guidelines, and potential side effects is crucial for responsible and effective use.
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