Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Ketamine is used in cat for Sedation/restraint for fractious cats, Feral cat trap-neuter-return (TNR), Anesthetic induction, CRI for somatic analgesia. Routes documented in cat: IM, IV. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 4 cited dose rules for Ketamine in cat, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5–10 mg/kg | once | Single dose | Sedation/restraint for fractious cats | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| IM | 10–20 mg/kg | once | Single dose for TNR protocol | Feral cat trap-neuter-return (TNR) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| IV | 2–5 mg/kg | once | Single induction dose | Anesthetic induction | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| IV | 0.1–0.5 mg/kg | per hour (CRI) | Intra/post-operative | CRI for somatic analgesia | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
One of the cited rules is a continuous-rate-infusion regimen: IV 0.1–0.5 mg/kg per hour (CRI). CRI regimens are delivered as a continuous infusion rather than discrete doses — verify the rate against the cited source before use.
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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.
NMDA receptor antagonist producing dissociative anesthesia. Provides somatic analgesia, amnesia, and catalepsy while maintaining pharyngeal reflexes.
Increases intracranial and intraocular pressure. Causes increased salivation (premedicate with anticholinergic). Eyes remain open under anesthesia — use lubricant. Do NOT use alone in dogs/cats (muscle rigidity) — combine with a sedative.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cat may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Why a species-specific page? Ketamine 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.