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Acarbose for Cat

Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg

Acarbose is used in cat for Diabetes mellitus (postprandial glucose control). Routes documented in cat: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Acarbose in cat, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Trade names: Precose

Dose ranges

RouteDoseFrequencyDurationIndicationEvidenceSource
PO12.5–25 mg per catWith each mealLong-term adjunct to insulinDiabetes mellitus (postprandial glucose control)WeakPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Absolute dose ceiling, regardless of body weight: 25 mg total (PO).

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These ranges are per kg. Enter your cat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.

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Mechanism of action

Competitively inhibits alpha-glucosidase enzymes in the small intestinal brush border, delaying carbohydrate digestion and reducing postprandial glucose spikes.

Side effects & warnings

Flatulence and diarrhea common. Administer with first bite of each meal. Used as adjunct to insulin therapy in diabetic dogs and cats.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cat may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Other Endocrine drugs with cat dosing

Acarbose dosing in other species

Why a species-specific page? Acarbose pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cat — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.