Which species have cited Ranitidine dosing data?

Ranitidine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 6 species: Cat (Domestic), Chinchilla, Dog (Domestic), Ferret, Guinea Pig, Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Ranitidine a controlled substance?

Ranitidine is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Ranitidine

US brand names:Zantac

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Ranitidine is dosed at 2–5 mg/kg PO q12h in rabbits, per Oglesbee B, Lord B. Gastrointestinal diseases of rabbits. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:174-187. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Gastrointestinal

Routes

POIVIM

Indications

Gastric acid reductionGastrointestinal prokinetic (impaired GI motility)Gastrointestinal ulcers (H2 blocker)GI stasis (prokinetic + acid reduction)prokinetic

Mechanism of Action

Competitively blocks H2 receptors on parietal cells, reducing gastric acid secretion. Also has prokinetic activity via acetylcholinesterase inhibition.

Side effects & warnings

Less drug interaction potential than cimetidine. Prokinetic effect makes it preferred over famotidine when motility enhancement also desired. Administer slowly IV. Note: human formulation withdrawn in some markets.

Species with Ranitidine dosing data (6 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Chinchilla Dog (Domestic)Ferret Guinea Pig Rabbit (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Chinchilla drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Ferret drugs All Guinea Pig drugs All Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 6 dose rules

Moderate×4Weak×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 6 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 6 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	PO	2.5–3.5 mg/kg	q12h	Moderate	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1111, Ranitidine monograph spanning p.1111-1113. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1113, Ranitidine monograph.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Dog (Domestic)	PO	2 mg/kg	q8-12h	Moderate	Bersenas AME. Antacid therapy. In: Bonagura JD, Twedt DC, eds. Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XV. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2014. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1113, Ranitidine monograph spanning p.1111-1113.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

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Backed by 5 published sourcesShow

· Bersenas AME. Antacid therapy. In: Bonagura JD, Twedt DC, eds. Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XV. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2014. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1113, Ranitidine monograph spanning p.1111-1113.
· Johnson-Delaney CA. Formulary Ferret Medicine and Surgery, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; 2017:457-467. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.958 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Ferrets.a).
· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.802 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents).
· Oglesbee B, Lord B. Gastrointestinal diseases of rabbits. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:174-187. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-48435-0.00014-9 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits).

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Calculate Dosage for Ranitidine