Benzonatate for Cat
Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Benzonatate is used in cat for Non-productive cough. Routes documented in cat: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Benzonatate in cat, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Tessalon Perles
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 1–3 mg/kg | q8-12h | Short-term; limited feline data | Non-productive cough | Extrapolated | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Mechanism of action
Tetracaine-related compound that anesthetizes stretch receptors in the lungs and pleura, suppressing the cough reflex peripherally.
Side effects & warnings
Do not crush or chew capsules — releases liquid that can cause oropharyngeal anesthesia and choking. Seizures if capsule bitten. Use with caution in small animals.
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 Respiratory drugs with cat dosing
Benzonatate dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Benzonatate 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.