Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Metoclopramide is dosed at 0.2–0.5 mg/kg IM q6-8h in dogs, per Whitehead K, Cortes Y, Eirmann L. Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders in critically ill dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2016;26(2):234-253. doi:10.1111/vec.12449 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.896 (2026-08-01).. Metoclopramide is used in dogs for Acute vomiting, Severe vomiting, CRI for persistent nausea, Nausea, vomiting, gastroparesis, Nausea, vomiting. Routes documented in dogs: IM, IV, PO, SC. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 4 cited dose rules for Metoclopramide in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Reglan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q6-8h | As needed | Acute vomiting | Strong | Whitehead K, Cortes Y, Eirmann L. Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders in critically ill dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2016;26(2):234-253. doi:10.1111/vec.12449 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.896 (2026-08-01). |
| IV | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | per hour (CRI) | As needed | Severe vomiting, CRI for persistent nausea | Strong | Merck/MSD Veterinary Manual, Prokinetic Drugs table (0.01-0.02 mg/kg/h IV infusion) https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/prokinetic-drugs | Higher published regimens: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 9th Ed (1-2 mg/kg/day); Today's Veterinary Practice, Management of GI Hypomotility in the Hospitalized Patient (0.5 mg/kg bolus then 2-8 mg/kg/day) |
| PO | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q6-8h | 3-7 days | Nausea, vomiting, gastroparesis | Strong | Whitehead K, Cortes Y, Eirmann L. Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders in critically ill dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2016;26(2):234-253. doi:10.1111/vec.12449 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.896 (2026-08-01). |
| SC | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q6-8h | 3-7 days | Nausea, vomiting | Strong | Whitehead K, Cortes Y, Eirmann L. Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders in critically ill dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2016;26(2):234-253. doi:10.1111/vec.12449 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.896 (2026-08-01). |
One of the cited rules is a continuous-rate-infusion regimen: IV 0.01–0.02 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 dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Dopamine D2 receptor antagonist. Increases GI motility (prokinetic) and acts centrally as an antiemetic at the chemoreceptor trigger zone.
May cause extrapyramidal signs (restlessness, tremors). Contraindicated with GI obstruction or perforation. Avoid concurrent use with phenothiazines.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Metoclopramide dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: IM 0.2–0.5 mg/kg q6-8h; IV 0.01–0.02 mg/kg per hour (CRI); PO 0.2–0.5 mg/kg q6-8h; SC 0.2–0.5 mg/kg q6-8h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Metoclopramide in dogs: IM, IV, PO, SC.
Cited course lengths for Metoclopramide in dogs include: As needed; 3-7 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Metoclopramide is indicated in dogs for: Acute vomiting, Severe vomiting, CRI for persistent nausea, Nausea, vomiting, gastroparesis, Nausea, vomiting.
These are general warnings for Metoclopramide across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. May cause extrapyramidal signs (restlessness, tremors). Contraindicated with GI obstruction or perforation. Avoid concurrent use with phenothiazines.
Why a species-specific page? Metoclopramide pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — 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.