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Chlorhexidine for Cat

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

Chlorhexidine is used in cat for Dental rinse, oral wound care, Wound lavage, skin antisepsis. Routes documented in cat: TOPICAL. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Chlorhexidine in cat, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Trade names: Nolvasan, CHX Guard

Dose ranges

RouteDoseFrequencyDurationIndicationEvidenceSource
TOPICAL0 topicalq12hPost-dental procedureDental rinse, oral wound careModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
TOPICAL0 topicalq12-24hAs neededWound lavage, skin antisepsisStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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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

Cationic biguanide that disrupts bacterial cell membranes. Broad-spectrum bactericidal with residual activity on skin.

Side effects & warnings

TOXIC to cats at concentrations >0.05% for mucous membranes. Ototoxic — never use in ear canal if tympanic membrane is ruptured. Dilute appropriately for wound lavage (0.05%). Inactivated by organic matter.

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 Ophthalmic drugs with cat dosing

Chlorhexidine dosing in other species

Why a species-specific page? Chlorhexidine 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.