Tramadol for Cats: A Pain Medication

Awareness around pain in cats has grown significantly over the past couple of decades. As many people now know, pain can negatively impact a cat’s well-being and cause stress that can slow healing and accelerate aging. 

Unfortunately, there are not many good medication options to address pain in cats. Tramadol, however, is one medication that is sometimes prescribed for cats in pain. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect if your cat is prescribed tramadol.

Tramadol for cats at a glance

What is tramadol for cats and how does it work?

Tramadol is an opioid medication that is used to manage both acute and chronic pain, including pain from osteoarthritis. Tramadol is FDA approved for use in people, though it is not FDA approved for use in animals. But veterinarians can still prescribe tramadol “off-label” to cats.

Opioids such as tramadol reduce the sensation of pain by attaching to opioid pain receptors on nerve cells. When opioid medications attach to these receptors, a series of chemical reactions is triggered, blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. As a result, your cat doesn’t feel as much pain.

Tramadol may also reduce pain by increasing levels of the “feel-good” chemical messengers norepinephrine and serotonin in the bloodstream.

Tramadol is considered safe for cats. However, tramadol is now classified as a Schedule 4 medication by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) due to its potential for misuse and dependence in people. 

How is tramadol given to cats?

Tramadol for cats is available in both oral and injectable forms. The oral forms of tramadol are typically given to cats at home. The injectable form of tramadol is occasionally used in veterinary hospitals to manage pain related to surgery.

Tramadol comes in 50 mg tablets. But the tablets are very bitter in taste, and it can be difficult to get cats to take them. Therefore, your veterinarian may suggest giving your cat tramadol as a tasty liquid or treat for ease.

The typical starting dosage of tramadol for cats is 2 mg per kilogram of body weight every 8 to 12 hours. However, your veterinarian will calculate your cat’s dosage of tramadol by taking into account their unique needs. The exact dosage will depend on several factors, including:

• Your cat’s weight

• Any health conditions they have

• The type of pain being treated 

• Any other medications that your cat is taking 

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Your veterinarian may also recommend combining tramadol with a muscle relaxer, such as gabapentin, to enhance pain relief. But never combine medications without the guidance of a licensed veterinarian. 

What are the common side effects of tramadol in cats?

In general, tramadol is considered to be safe for healthy cats. It doesn’t typically cause many side effects. But the most common tramadol side effects in cats are mild sedation and dilated pupils. 

There’s the potential for additional negative side effects, as well. While less common, these can include:

• Heavy sedation

• Tremors

• Incoordination

• Slowed heart rate

• Constipation

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Loss of appetite

If you notice any of these side effects, stop giving your cat tramadol and call your veterinarian. 

The bitter taste of tramadol tablets often causes gagging and drooling in cats. If your cat reacts to the tablets in this way, try hiding the medication in a pill pocket. Or you can ask your veterinarian to have the tramadol compounded into a tasty liquid or treat. 

What are the most serious risks of tramadol for cats?

Although rare, the most serious risk that tramadol poses for cats is serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome happens when levels of serotonin are too high in the body. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include: 

• Agitation

• Restlessness

• Hyperactivity 

• Tremors

• Seizures

If you notice your cat is behaving abnormally after they take tramadol, call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline for guidance. 

In humans, tramadol is known to induce seizures in some cases. If your cat has a history of seizures or a brain disease, tramadol is not recommended.

Does tramadol interact with any other cat medications?

Tramadol can interact with other medications your cat may be taking, including:

• Antifungal medications that end in “-azole,” such as ketoconazole

• Cimetidine

• Cyproheptadine

• Ketamine

• Mirtazapine

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including selegiline

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Tricyclic antidepressants

• Other opioid medications

• SAMe or other liver supplements

• Heart medications

• Macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin

Never give Ultracet to cats, as this formulation of tramadol contains acetaminophen, which is extremely toxic to cats.

In addition, use caution when giving tramadol to a cat who is nursing or pregnant or who has heart, liver, or kidney disease. Be sure to let your veterinarian know about any health conditions your cat has in advance.

And be sure to tell your veterinarian about any other medications, vitamins, or supplements that your cat is taking before they are prescribed tramadol. 

What should you do if your cat misses a dose of tramadol?

If your cat misses a dose of tramadol, give them the medication as soon as possible. However, if it is close to the time when they’re supposed to take their next dose, skip the missed one. And give them the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. 

Never give your cat two doses of tramadol close together in time. Doses should be spaced out by at least 6 hours.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ

Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ, is a well-known international influencer in the veterinary and animal healthcare spaces. She has 16 years of experience in private practice and more than 15 years experience in veterinary media work.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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