Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Gabapentin is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q12h in cats, per KuKanich B. Outpatient oral analgesics in dogs and cats beyond nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: an evidence-based approach. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43:1109-1125. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.04.007 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.597 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.570, Gabapentin monograph spanning p.568-570; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Gabapentin is used in cats for Chronic musculoskeletal pain, Feline hyperesthesia syndrome. Routes documented in cats: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Gabapentin in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Neurontin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | Chronic; taper to discontinue | Chronic musculoskeletal pain | Moderate | KuKanich B. Outpatient oral analgesics in dogs and cats beyond nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: an evidence-based approach. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43:1109-1125. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.04.007 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.597 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.570, Gabapentin monograph spanning p.568-570; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q8-12h | Chronic | Feline hyperesthesia syndrome | Anecdotal | KuKanich B. Outpatient oral analgesics in dogs and cats beyond nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: an evidence-based approach. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43:1109-1125. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.04.007 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.597 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.570, Gabapentin monograph spanning p.568-570; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
The sources disagree for this combination. The ranges below do not overlap on a comparable route. This is not an error in one of them — published veterinary references differ, and reconciling them for a particular patient is a clinical judgement.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.196 | 5-10 mg/kg p.o. q8-12h (starting dose; incremental dose increases are recommended). |
| 5–10 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.378 | • Anticonvulsant dose: 5-10 mg/kg q12h PO. The dose has been increased to |
| 20 | — | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.378 | 20 mg/kg q8-12h in some cats to control seizures. |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Binds to alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels, modulating neurotransmitter release. Reduces central sensitization.
Sedation common, especially initially. Some oral solutions contain xylitol (toxic to dogs). Taper to discontinue (do not stop abruptly). Adjust dose in renal impairment.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Gabapentin dose ranges in cats, with cited source references: PO 5–10 mg/kg q12h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q8-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Gabapentin in cats: PO.
Cited course lengths for Gabapentin in cats include: Chronic; taper to discontinue; Chronic. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Gabapentin is indicated in cats for: Chronic musculoskeletal pain, Feline hyperesthesia syndrome.
These are general warnings for Gabapentin across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Sedation common, especially initially. Some oral solutions contain xylitol (toxic to dogs). Taper to discontinue (do not stop abruptly). Adjust dose in renal impairment.
Why a species-specific page? Gabapentin 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.