Which species have cited Hydroxyzine dosing data?

Hydroxyzine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 6 species: African Grey Parrot, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Ferret, Lovebird, Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Hydroxyzine a controlled substance?

Hydroxyzine is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Hydroxyzine

US brand names:Atarax, Vistaril

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Hydroxyzine is dosed at 2 mg/kg PO q8-12h in rabbits, per Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.878 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Behavioral

Routes

POIM

Indications

AntihistamineantipruriticanxietyFeather pickingPrurituspruritus (antihistamine with mild sedative effect)

Mechanism of Action

H1 antihistamine with anxiolytic and antipruritic properties. Metabolized to cetirizine (active metabolite). Crosses blood-brain barrier.

Side effects & warnings

Sedation common. Anticholinergic effects. Used for pruritus and anxiety. IM injection painful — avoid. Metabolized to cetirizine which is also used clinically.

Species with Hydroxyzine dosing data (6 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Ferret Lovebird Rabbit (Domestic)

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Ferret drugs All Lovebird drugs All Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 6 dose rules

Moderate×4Weak×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 6 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 6 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	1–2 mg/kg	q8-12h	Moderate	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.629, Hydroxyzine monograph spanning p.629-631.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Cat (Domestic)	PO	1–2 mg/kg	q12h	Moderate	Plumb's 10th ed printed p.629, Hydroxyzine monograph spanning p.629-631.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

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Backed by 6 published sourcesShow

· 504. Krinsley M. IME-use of DermCaps Liquid and hydroxyzine HCl for the treatment of feather picking. J Assoc Avian Vet. 1993;7:221. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.473 doi:10.2307/27671101 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.10 (Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Agents Used in Birds.a,b).
· 504. Krinsley M. IME-use of DermCaps Liquid and hydroxyzine HCl for the treatment of feather picking. J Assoc Avian Vet. 1993;7:221. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.473 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.10 (Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Agents Used in Birds.a,b).
· Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.878 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits).

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