Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Fentanyl is dosed at 2–4 mcg/kg/h TRANSDERMAL q72h (patch replacement) in cats, per Davidson CD, Pettifer GR, Henry JD. Plasma fentanyl concentrations and analgesic effects during full or partial exposure to transdermal fentanyl patches in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004;224(5):700-705. doi:10.2460/javma.2004.224.700 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.544 (2026-08-01).. Fentanyl is used in cats for Post-operative pain. Routes documented in cats: TRANSDERMAL. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Fentanyl in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Duragesic, Sublimaze
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRANSDERMAL | 2–4 mcg/kg/h | q72h (patch replacement) | 72h per patch | Post-operative pain | Moderate | Davidson CD, Pettifer GR, Henry JD. Plasma fentanyl concentrations and analgesic effects during full or partial exposure to transdermal fentanyl patches in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004;224(5):700-705. doi:10.2460/javma.2004.224.700 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.544 (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.
Potent synthetic mu-opioid receptor agonist (50-100x more potent than morphine). Rapid onset, short duration IV. Transdermal provides sustained release over 72 hours.
Potent respiratory depressant. Transdermal patch: 12-24 hour onset, variable absorption (shave area, do not cut patches). Controlled substance (Schedule II). Bradycardia. Fever increases absorption rate.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Fentanyl dose range in cats, with cited source references: TRANSDERMAL 2–4 mcg/kg/h q72h (patch replacement). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Fentanyl in cats: TRANSDERMAL.
Cited course lengths for Fentanyl in cats include: 72h per patch. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Fentanyl is indicated in cats for: Post-operative pain.
These are general warnings for Fentanyl across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Potent respiratory depressant. Transdermal patch: 12-24 hour onset, variable absorption (shave area, do not cut patches). Controlled substance (Schedule II). Bradycardia. Fever increases absorption rate.
Why a species-specific page? Fentanyl 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.