Doxycycline for Cats: An Antibiotic That Can Treat a Number of Bacterial Infections
Key takeaways:
Doxycycline (Vibramycin) is an effective antibiotic that is used to treat several different types of bacterial infections in cats.
The antibiotic is usually given to cats once every 12 or 24 hours for up to 12 weeks, depending on the type of infection.
The capsule and tablet forms of doxycycline can irritate a cat’s esophagus. So give them with water and/or food. Alternatively, you can give doxycycline as a compounded oral liquid.
Table of contents
Doxycycline is an antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections in cats. It’s available in a variety of forms. So your veterinarian will let you know the best way to give doxycycline to your cat.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of doxycycline for cats, including the typical dosage and potential side effects.
Doxycycline for cats at a glance
Common names | Doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doxy 100) |
What it treats | Bacterial infections and bacterial diseases transmitted by fleas and ticks |
How it comes (forms) | Oral tablets or capsules, flavored oral liquid, injectable, dental gel |
Standard dosage | Depends on your cat’s weight and infection type |
Common side effects | Vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, esophagus inflammation and narrowing |
Cost |
What is doxycycline for cats, and how does it work?
Doxycycline is an antibiotic that’s often used to treat bacterial infections in cats. The most common types of infections doxycycline can treat include bacterial upper respiratory infections and infections caused by bacteria that are spread by fleas and ticks.
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Doxycycline works by stopping the growth and spread of bacteria in your cat’s body. This gets rid of the infection. It can also completely kill bacteria at higher doses.
Doxycycline is available in generic forms. But there are also several brand-name versions, including Vibramycin and Doxy 100.
Veterinarians commonly prescribe doxycycline to cats. But this is considered an off-label use, since the medication is not FDA approved for use in cats. Off-label prescribing is common in veterinary medicine.
How is doxycycline given to cats, and what is the standard dosage?
How much doxycycline your cat will need depends on the type of infection they have. In general, cats are usually given between 5 mg to 10 mg per kilogram of body weight, every 12 or 24 hours. Your cat may need to take doxycycline for as few as 5 days. Or they may need to take it for up to a month, depending on their infection.
Doxycycline comes in several forms, including tablets, capsules, oral liquid, and an injectable form that is typically only used in a veterinary hospital setting. Doxycycline also comes in a gel form that can be applied to the gums of cats with periodontal disease, a type of dental infection.
Your veterinarian will tell you exactly how much medication to give your cat and when.
Prevent fleas: A regular preventive medication can keep your cat from getting flea-related infections. Learn your options for cats.
Cat ringworm: Ringworm is a common infection in cats. Here’s how to treat this fungal skin condition and how to keep yourself from getting it.
Annual checkup time: Cats need to go to the vet at least once a year for a regular checkup. This will help ensure they’re healthy and catch any issues early.
What should you do if your cat misses a dose of doxycycline?
If you forget to give your cat a dose of doxycycline, give them the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for their next dose, skip the missed one and stick to their regular medication schedule. Do not give double doses of doxycycline to your cat.
If you have any questions about the timing of doses, talk to your veterinarian.
What are the common side effects of doxycycline in cats?
Like all antibiotics, doxycycline can cause digestive side effects in cats, including:
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea or soft stool
Vomiting
Excessive tiredness
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Giving doxycycline to cats with food can help reduce the risk of digestive side effects (and help hide the bitter taste of the medication). If that doesn’t help, stop giving your cat the medication and call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Be cautious about giving doxycycline to young cats or pregnant cats. The medication can permanently stain growing teeth and disrupt normal bone growth. Like some other antibiotics, doxycycline can also cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. So it’s best to avoid exposing your cat to direct or prolonged sunlight while they are taking doxycycline.
What are the most serious risks of doxycycline for cats?
More serious side effects of doxycycline for cats include liver irritation and esophageal irritation or stricture (narrowing).
Doxycycline can irritate the lining of a cat’s esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) and cause painful inflammation. In rare cases, doxycycline can cause esophageal ulcers that lead to scarring and narrowing of the esophagus. This can block food from being able to pass to the stomach.
To avoid esophageal irritation, give your cat doxycycline with food. If you’re giving them doxycycline in pill form, follow each dose with at least 1 teaspoon of water by mouth, using a syringe.
You can also ask your vet about getting your cat’s doxycycline as a flavored liquid. Most cats will accept the medication more easily this way. And there is little to no risk of damage to your cat’s esophagus with the liquid form.
Use doxycycline with caution in cats who have liver disease, as it can irritate the liver.
Does doxycycline interact with any other cat medications?
Don’t give doxycycline with other antibiotics unless directed by your veterinarian. Other antibiotics can have harmful interactions with doxycycline.
And don’t give doxycycline at the same time as:
Iron supplements
Multivitamins
Dairy products
These substances can interfere with how doxycycline is absorbed in your cat’s gut.
The bottom line
Doxycycline (Vibramycin) is an effective antibiotic that is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in cats. The pill forms of doxycycline (capsules and tablets) irritate the esophagus and should be given with water and/or food. There are also liquid forms of the medication that may be easier for your cat. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions when giving doxycycline to your cat.
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References
Barrs, V. (2013). Respiratory infections - Bacterial and parasitic. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings.
Bellows, J. (2016). Periodontal disease in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2021). Doxycycline (Vibramycin). Veterinary Partner.
Lappin, M. R., et al. (2017). Antimicrobial use guidelines for treatment of respiratory tract disease in dogs and cats: Antimicrobial guidelines working group of the international society for companion animal infectious diseases. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Mercer, M. A. (2022). Tetracyclines use in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Plumb’s Veterinary Medication Guides. (2020). Doxycycline.
