Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Doxycycline is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q12-24h in cats, per Lappin M. Chronic feline infectious disease. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2006. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01).. Doxycycline is used in cats for Upper respiratory infections, Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila, Hemoplasma (Mycoplasma haemofelis), Feline stomatitis adjunct, Bartonella (cat scratch disease). Routes documented in cats: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 5 cited dose rules for Doxycycline in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Vibramycin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12-24h | 14-21 days | Upper respiratory infections, Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila | Strong | Lappin M. Chronic feline infectious disease. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2006. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 28 days | Hemoplasma (Mycoplasma haemofelis) | Strong | Greene C, Hartmannn K, Calpin J. Appendix 8: antimicrobial drug formulary. In: Greene C, ed. Infectious Disease of the Dog and Cat. Elsevier; 2006:1186-1333. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-2406-4.50080-6 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 14-28 days | Feline stomatitis adjunct | Moderate | Bonenberger T. Typical cat bite abscess, or not: chronic draining tracts & nodules. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2009. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 28 days | Bartonella (cat scratch disease) | Moderate | Lappin M. Protozoal and miscellaneous infections. In: Ettinger S, Feldman E, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine: Diseases of the Dog and Cat. Vol 1. WB Saunders; 2000:408-417. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | 14-28 days | Feline chronic gingivostomatitis adjunct | Weak | Lappin MR, Blondeau J, Boothe D, et al. Antimicrobial use guidelines for treatment of respiratory tract disease in dogs and cats: Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases. J Vet Intern Med. 2017;31:279-294. doi:10.1111/jvim.14627 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01). |
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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.
Inhibits protein synthesis by binding to 30S ribosomal subunit, preventing aminoacyl-tRNA attachment.
Can cause esophageal strictures in cats if not followed by water. Photosensitivity. Avoid in pregnant animals (tooth discoloration in fetus).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Doxycycline dose ranges in cats, with cited source references: PO 5–10 mg/kg q12-24h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q12h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q12h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Doxycycline in cats: PO.
Cited course lengths for Doxycycline in cats include: 14-21 days; 28 days; 14-28 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Doxycycline is indicated in cats for: Upper respiratory infections, Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila, Hemoplasma (Mycoplasma haemofelis), Feline stomatitis adjunct, Bartonella (cat scratch disease), Feline chronic gingivostomatitis adjunct.
These are general warnings for Doxycycline across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Can cause esophageal strictures in cats if not followed by water. Photosensitivity. Avoid in pregnant animals (tooth discoloration in fetus).
Why a species-specific page? Doxycycline pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — 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.