Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Mirtazapine is dosed at 1.88 mg per cat PO q48h in cats, per Quimby JM, Lunn KF. Mirtazapine as an appetite stimulant and anti-emetic in cats with chronic kidney disease: a masked placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial. Vet J. 2013;197(3):651-655. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.05.048; Fitzpatrick RL, Quimby JM, Benson KK, et al. In vivo and in vitro assessment of mirtazapine pharmacokinetics in cats with liver disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32(6):1951-1957. doi:10.1111/jvim.15237 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.922 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.895, Mirtazapine monograph spanning p.893-895; 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. Mirtazapine is used in cats for Appetite stimulation - cats with chronic kidney or hepatic disease, Appetite stimulation (CKD, cancer). Routes documented in cats: PO, Transdermal. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Mirtazapine in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Remeron, Mirataz
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 1.88 mg per cat | q48h | As needed | Appetite stimulation - cats with chronic kidney or hepatic disease | Strong | Quimby JM, Lunn KF. Mirtazapine as an appetite stimulant and anti-emetic in cats with chronic kidney disease: a masked placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial. Vet J. 2013;197(3):651-655. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.05.048; Fitzpatrick RL, Quimby JM, Benson KK, et al. In vivo and in vitro assessment of mirtazapine pharmacokinetics in cats with liver disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32(6):1951-1957. doi:10.1111/jvim.15237 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.922 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.895, Mirtazapine monograph spanning p.893-895; 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 |
| Transdermal | See the cited source for the printed regimen | q24h (Mirataz) | As needed | Appetite stimulation (CKD, cancer) | Strong | MIRATAZ- Mirtazapine Ointment [US Product Label for Cats]. Dechra Veterinary Products; 2020. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5ff9fdb7-554f-4f91-8cfc-6d05094384c6 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.922 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.893, Mirtazapine monograph spanning p.893-895; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, |
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Antagonizes presynaptic alpha-2 adrenergic autoreceptors and heteroreceptors, increasing norepinephrine and serotonin release. Potent appetite stimulant.
Mirataz (transdermal) FDA-approved for feline weight loss. Strong appetite stimulant. Sedation at low doses. Serotonin syndrome risk with other serotonergic drugs. Cats: q48-72h dosing (longer half-life).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Mirtazapine dose ranges in cats, with cited source references: PO 1.88 mg per cat q48h; Transdermal See the cited source for the printed regimen q24h (Mirataz). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Mirtazapine in cats: PO, Transdermal.
Cited course lengths for Mirtazapine in cats include: As needed. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Mirtazapine is indicated in cats for: Appetite stimulation - cats with chronic kidney or hepatic disease, Appetite stimulation (CKD, cancer).
These are general warnings for Mirtazapine across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Mirataz (transdermal) FDA-approved for feline weight loss. Strong appetite stimulant. Sedation at low doses. Serotonin syndrome risk with other serotonergic drugs. Cats: q48-72h dosing (longer half-life).
Why a species-specific page? Mirtazapine 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.