Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Phenobarbital is dosed at 1–2 mg/kg PO q12h in cats, per Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1036 (2026-08-01).. Phenobarbital is used in cats for Epilepsy. Routes documented in cats: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Phenobarbital in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Luminal, Solfoton
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 1–2 mg/kg | q12h | Long-term | Epilepsy | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1036 (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.
Enhances GABA-A receptor activity by prolonging chloride channel opening. Also blocks AMPA/glutamate receptors. Raises seizure threshold.
First-line anticonvulsant for dogs. Hepatotoxicity with chronic use (monitor liver enzymes and serum levels). PU/PD, polyphagia, sedation (often transient). Hepatic enzyme inducer (many drug interactions). DEA controlled.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Phenobarbital dose range in cats, with cited source references: PO 1–2 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Phenobarbital in cats: PO.
Cited course lengths for Phenobarbital in cats include: Long-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Phenobarbital is indicated in cats for: Epilepsy.
These are general warnings for Phenobarbital across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. First-line anticonvulsant for dogs. Hepatotoxicity with chronic use (monitor liver enzymes and serum levels). PU/PD, polyphagia, sedation (often transient). Hepatic enzyme inducer (many drug interactions). DEA controlled.
Why a species-specific page? Phenobarbital 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.