Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Morphine is dosed at 0.1–0.3 mg/kg IM q4-6h in cats, per KuKanich B, Wiese AJ. Chapter 11: Opioids. In: Grimm KA, Lamont LA, Tranquilli WJ, Greene SA, Robertson SA, eds. Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, The Fifth Edition of Lumb and Jones. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2015:207-226. (Plumb's Morphine, reference on the CATS intermittent-dosing line) — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.291 (2026-08-01).. Morphine is used in cats for Moderate to severe pain. Routes documented in cats: IM. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Morphine in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.1–0.3 mg/kg | q4-6h | Short-term | Moderate to severe pain | Strong | KuKanich B, Wiese AJ. Chapter 11: Opioids. In: Grimm KA, Lamont LA, Tranquilli WJ, Greene SA, Robertson SA, eds. Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, The Fifth Edition of Lumb and Jones. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2015:207-226. (Plumb's Morphine, reference on the CATS intermittent-dosing line) — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.291 (2026-08-01). |
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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.
Prototype full mu-opioid receptor agonist. Activates mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptors producing analgesia, sedation, and euphoria.
Histamine release with rapid IV injection (hypotension, bronchoconstriction — give slowly). Vomiting and defecation common initial effects. Respiratory depression. Cats: may cause excitation/dysphoria at higher doses. Controlled substance (Schedule II).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Morphine dose range in cats, with cited source references: IM 0.1–0.3 mg/kg q4-6h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Morphine in cats: IM.
Cited course lengths for Morphine in cats include: Short-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Morphine is indicated in cats for: Moderate to severe pain.
These are general warnings for Morphine across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Histamine release with rapid IV injection (hypotension, bronchoconstriction — give slowly). Vomiting and defecation common initial effects. Respiratory depression. Cats: may cause excitation/dysphoria at higher doses. Controlled substance (Schedule II).
Why a species-specific page? Morphine 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.