gabapentin
Gabapentin (Neurontin) is an FDA-approved human medication commonly prescribed off-label by veterinarians, along with other medications, for cats and dogs to manage anxiety during events like vet visits and to treat chronic pain, such as arthritis. Although gabapentin is considered an anti-seizure medication, it’s not typically used on its own to treat seizures in cats or dogs. Instead, it might be prescribed in combination with other medications to control symptoms. Since the dose is based on your pet’s weight, your veterinarian will help to determine the right dose. Common side effects include sleepiness, tiredness, and difficulty with walking and balance.
What is Gabapentin for pets?
What is Gabapentin for pets used for?
How Gabapentin for pets works
Gabapentin is an antiepileptic. It’s not completely known how the medication works, but it’s thought to lower the amount of chemicals that cause excitement and pain in the nervous system. This can help calm the nerves and lessen pain for cats and dogs.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Gabapentin for pets?
Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Tiredness
- Difficulty with walking and balance
Other Side Effects
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Clumsiness or unsteadiness
continuous, uncontrolled, back-and-forth, or rolling eye movements
More common in children
Aggressive behavior or other behavior problems
concentration problems and change in school performance
crying
false sense of well-being
hyperactivity or increase in body movements
rapidly changing moods
reacting too quickly, too emotional, or overreacting
restlessness
suspiciousness or distrust
Less common
Black, tarry stools
chills
depression, irritability, or other mood or mental changes
loss of memory
pain or swelling in the arms or legs
painful or difficult urination
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
swollen glands
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach pain
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
clay-colored stools
coma
confusion
convulsions
dark urine
decreased urine output
difficult or troubled breathing
dizziness
fast or irregular heartbeat
headache
increased thirst
irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
itching or skin rash
joint pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
muscle ache or pain
pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
unpleasant breath odor
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Blurred vision
delusions
hoarseness
lack or loss of strength
lower back or side pain
swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs
trembling or shaking
Less common or rare
Accidental injury
appetite increased
back pain
bloated or full feeling
body aches or pain
burning, dry, or itching eyes
change in vision
change in walking and balance
clumsiness or unsteadiness
congestion
cough producing mucus
decrease in sexual desire or ability
dryness of the mouth or throat
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
excessive tearing
eye discharge
feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
feeling of warmth or heat
flushed, dry skin
flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
fruit-like breath odor
impaired vision
incoordination
increased hunger
increased sensitivity to pain
increased sensitivity to touch
increased thirst
indigestion
noise in the ears
pain, redness, rash, swelling, or bleeding where the skin is rubbed off
passing gas
redness or swelling in the ear
redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
sweating
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tightness in the chest
tingling in the hands and feet
trouble sleeping
trouble swallowing
trouble thinking
twitching
unexplained weight loss
voice changes
vomiting
weakness or loss of strength
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Gabapentin for pets
Pros
Helps to calm your pet before a stressful event
Dose can be made at a compounding pharmacy if commercial forms don’t work
Capsules can be opened and mixed with a small amount of food
Cons
Causes side effects like sleepiness and tiredness
Might not be safe for pets with serious liver or kidney problems
Commercial liquid solution contains xylitol which is toxic to dogs
Pharmacist tips for Gabapentin for pets
Gabapentin is commercially available in the form of capsules, tablets, and a liquid solution. If these forms don’t fit your pets needs, your veterinarian can prescribe a medication made in a compounding pharmacy.
If your dog or cat can’t swallow the gabapentin capsule, you can open it and mix the powder inside with a small amount of food.
If you accidentally forget to give a dose of gabapentin, it’s probably best to skip it and wait until the next dose is due. This is because too much medication can cause extreme sleepiness.
Gabapentin can cause your dog or cat to be sleepy and tired. If this becomes an issue, let your veterinarian know.
Gabapentin might cause your dog or cat to have problems with walking or balance, especially at higher doses. If you’re concerned about this, discuss with your veterinarian.
Gabapentin might interact with certain medications, including opioids and medications that affect the nervous system like alprazolam (Xanax). Make sure you let your veterinarian know all medications that your pet is taking before starting gabapentin.
Frequently asked questions about Gabapentin for pets
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What are the risks and warnings for Gabapentin for pets?
Gabapentin can cause some serious health issues. This risk might be even higher for certain pets. If this worries you, talk to your veterinarian about other options.
Sleepiness
Risk factors: Taking a higher dose of gabapentin
gabapentin might make your dog or cat sleepy and tired, especially if they take a higher dose. If this becomes problematic, let your veterinarian know. They might recommend a lower dose or prescribe a different form of the medication.
Problems with walking and balance
Risk factors: Taking a higher dose of gabapentin
gabapentin can lead to walking and balance problems, especially at higher doses. Let your veterinarian know if this becomes a concern. They might suggest reducing the dose or switching to a different form of the medication.
Gabapentin dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250mg/5ml | 60 ml | $11.18 | $0.19 |
Typical dosing for Gabapentin for pets
The dose is based on your pet’s weight. Your veterinarian will help determine the right dosage and appropriate product.
Cats:
Anxiety: The typical dose is 10 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg given by mouth once, 2 to 3 hours before the event.
Chronic pain: The typical dose is around 10 mg/kg given by mouth every 8 to 12 hours.
Dogs:
Anxiety: The typical dose is 25 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg given by mouth once, 1.5 to 2 hours before the event.
Chronic pain: The typical dose is around 10 mg/kg given by mouth every 8 to 12 hours.
Interactions between Gabapentin and other drugs for pets
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acepromazine
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Amobarbital
- Anileridine
- Aripiprazole
- Asenapine
- Baclofen
- Benperidol
- Benzhydrocodone
- Bromazepam
- Buprenorphine
- Buspirone
- Butabarbital
- Butorphanol
- Calcifediol
- Calcium Oxybate
- Cannabidiol
- Carbinoxamine
- Carisoprodol
- Carphenazine
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Chlorpromazine
- Chlorzoxazone
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Clorazepate
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dexmedetomidine
- Diacetylmorphine
- Diazepam
- Dichloralphenazone
- Difenoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Diphenhydramine
- Diphenoxylate
- Doxylamine
- Droperidol
- Enflurane
- Esketamine
- Estazolam
- Eszopiclone
- Ethchlorvynol
- Ethopropazine
- Ethylmorphine
- Fentanyl
- Flibanserin
- Flunitrazepam
- Fluphenazine
- Flurazepam
- Fluspirilene
- Fospropofol
- Gabapentin Enacarbil
- Halazepam
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Hexobarbital
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroxyzine
- Isoflurane
- Ketamine
- Ketazolam
- Ketobemidone
- Levocetirizine
- Levorphanol
- Lorazepam
- Loxapine
- Magnesium Oxybate
- Meclizine
- Melperone
- Meperidine
- Mephobarbital
- Meprobamate
- Meptazinol
- Mesoridazine
- Metaxalone
- Methadone
- Methdilazine
- Methocarbamol
- Methohexital
- Methotrimeprazine
- Methylene Blue
- Midazolam
- Molindone
- Moricizine
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nalbuphine
- Nicomorphine
- Nitrazepam
- Nitrous Oxide
- Olanzapine
- Opium
- Opium Alkaloids
- Orlistat
- Orphenadrine
- Oxazepam
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Papaveretum
- Paregoric
- Pentazocine
- Pentobarbital
- Perampanel
- Perazine
- Periciazine
- Perphenazine
- Phenobarbital
- Pimozide
- Piperacetazine
- Pipotiazine
- Piritramide
- Potassium Oxybate
- Prazepam
- Pregabalin
- Primidone
- Prochlorperazine
- Promazine
- Promethazine
- Propofol
- Quazepam
- Quetiapine
- Ramelteon
- Remifentanil
- Remimazolam
- Remoxipride
- Secobarbital
- Sertindole
- Sodium Oxybate
- Sufentanil
- Sulpiride
- Suvorexant
- Tapentadol
- Temazepam
- Thiethylperazine
- Thiopental
- Thiopropazate
- Thioridazine
- Tilidine
- Tizanidine
- Tolonium Chloride
- Topiramate
- Tramadol
- Triazolam
- Trifluoperazine
- Trifluperidol
- Triflupromazine
- Trimeprazine
- Zaleplon
- Zolpidem
- Zopiclone
- Zotepine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
- Aluminum Hydroxide
- Aluminum Phosphate
- Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
- Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
- Ginkgo
- Magaldrate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Magnesium Hydroxide
- Magnesium Oxide
- Magnesium Trisilicate
How much does Gabapentin cost?
Gabapentin contraindications for pets
Liquid solution containing xylitol for dogs
Gabapentin images
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References
Best studies we foundACI Healthcare USA, Inc. (2023). Gabapentin- gabapentin capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.
Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2024). Gabapentin- gabapentin solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Di Cesare, F., et al. (2023). Gabapentin: Clinical use and pharmacokinetics in dogs, cats, and horses. Animals.
Idowu, O., et al. (2018). Hypoglycemia in dogs: Causes, management, and diagnosis. The Canadian Veterinary Journal.
Jerzsele, Á., et al. (2018). Effects of p.o. administered xylitol in cats. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Penderis, J. (2017). The wobbly cat: Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to generalised ataxia. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Paws off xylitol; it’s dangerous for dogs.
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