Gabapentin for Dogs and Cats
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PetMD’s medications content was written and reviewed by veterinary professionals to answer your most common questions about how medications function, their side effects, and what species they are prescribed for. This content shouldn’t take the place of advice by your vet.
What Is Gabapentin Used for Dogs and Cats?
Gabapentin is a prescription medication commonly prescribed by vets to help treat pain, seizures, and anxiety in dogs and cats.
Gabapentin has also been shown to help reduce stress associated with visits to the veterinarian or the groomer.
Gabapentin is currently not FDA-approved as a veterinary medication. However, it is readily utilized in the veterinary field, and veterinarians can legally prescribe certain human drugs for use in animals in certain circumstances. This is called extra-label or off-label use because this use isn’t described on the drug label.
Common brand names of gabapentin include Neurontin® and Gralise®.
In certain circumstances, your vet may recommend a compounded formulation of gabapentin.
Compounded medications are prescribed if there’s a specific reason your pet’s health can’t be managed by an FDA-approved drug. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. They are created by either a veterinarian or a licensed pharmacist on an individual basis to best suit a patient’s particular needs.
While the federal government does not classify gabapentin as a controlled substance, some states classify it as a Schedule V controlled substance. As such, this may affect the prescribing, dispensing, and refilling of this medication due to stricter laws in those states.
How Gabapentin Works for Dogs and Cats
The way gabapentin works to reduce pain, controls seizures, and decrease anxiety is not well understood at the time of this publication.
Gabapentin functions similarly to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a naturally occurring brain neurotransmitter. Like GABA, gabapentin slows down the excitatory neurotransmitters involved in pain, anxiety, and seizures.
Dogs and cats with chronic pain often become more sensitive to their pain over time. They may experience exaggerated pain from sensations that wouldn’t normally hurt much or at all, like soft petting. Talk to your veterinarian about whether gabapentin may be helpful in managing these exaggerated pain responses.
Gabapentin Directions for Dogs and Cats
Follow the directions on the drug label or as provided by your veterinarian.
Gabapentin can be given with or without food.
Giving gabapentin with certain medications can result in health risks to your pet, so it’s important to discuss your pet’s medications, including vitamins and supplements, and medical conditions with your veterinarian.
If your veterinarian recommends that you discontinue gabapentin in your dog or cat for any reason, closely follow your veterinarian’s recommendations on how to wean them off this medication. Abruptly stopping gabapentin after a long period of your pet taking it can cause them to experience withdrawal symptoms.
If your pet is taking gabapentin for management of seizures, your veterinarian may recommend reducing the dose gradually to prevent breakthrough seizures.
Do not give any medication to your pet that has not been prescribed by your veterinarian, including gabapentin.
There are different brands and formulations of gabapentin that are not interchangeable, so use only the form of gabapentin prescribed by your veterinarian. This is particularly important for liquid versions of gabapentin manufactured for humans because these liquid versions typically contain xylitol, a sweetener, that is toxic to dogs and cats. Your veterinarian can prescribe a liquid formulation of gabapentin that does not contain xylitol.
Missed a Dose?
Speak with your veterinarian about what to do if you forget to give your pet a dose of gabapentin.
Generally, your veterinarian may advise you to give the dose when you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, your veterinarian may instruct you to skip the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule.
Do not give extra or double doses.
Possible Side Effects of Gabapentin for Dogs and Cats
The most common side effects observed with gabapentin in dogs and cats are:
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Sedation (drowsiness or sleepiness)
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Ataxia (loss of coordination)
In cats, an increase in drooling and vomiting has also been observed.
If you believe your pet may be experiencing any side effects of gabapentin, consult your veterinarian.
Human Side Effects
Gabapentin is also a prescription medication for humans, frequently with dosages different from those prescribed for your pet by a veterinarian.
Due to possible side effects, humans should never use medicine dispensed for their pets, and pets should not be given any medicine dispensed for a human’s use.
If you accidentally ingest your pet’s medication, immediately seek medical attention or call the national Poison Control Center hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
Monitoring Your Pet
Typically, beyond monitoring your pet’s response to gabapentin, no specific monitoring is required, but your veterinarian may recommend routine testing depending on your pets' individual needs, other medications they may be on, and/or the issue that initially caused your pet to be placed on this medication.
When To Call Your Vet
Call your veterinarian if any of the following apply:
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Severe side effects are seen (see above)
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Your pet’s condition worsens or does not improve with treatment
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You see or suspect an overdose
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You have additional questions or concerns about the use of gabapentin
Gabapentin Overdose in Dogs and Cats Information
Overdoses of gabapentin can cause:
Most commercially available forms of gabapentin oral liquid contain xylitol, which can cause severe toxicity in dogs.
If you suspect an overdose, immediately seek emergency veterinary care or contact an animal poison control center. Consultation fees often apply.
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Pet Poison Helpline® 855-764-7661
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ASPCA® Animal Poison Control 888-426-4435
How To Store Gabapentin for Dogs and Cats
Follow these tips when storing your pet’s gabapentin:
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Gabapentin should be stored at controlled room temperatures of 68–77 degrees F (20–25 degrees C). Brief exposure to temperatures between 59–86 degrees F (15–30 degrees C) are acceptable.
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Keep the container tightly closed to protect from moisture and light.
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Always confirm storage requirements by reviewing the label.
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Compounded medications should be stored according to the compounding pharmacy’s label.
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Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Gabapentin for Dogs and Cats FAQs
What does gabapentin do for dogs?
Gabapentin is most commonly prescribed in dogs for pain relief and to help reduce anxiety associated with veterinary and grooming visits. Sometimes, gabapentin is used in combination with other medications for management of seizures in dogs.
What does gabapentin do for cats?
Gabapentin is prescribed in cats for relief of pain and to help reduce anxiety associated with the stress of veterinary and grooming visits.
No vet writer or qualified reviewer has received any compensation from the manufacturer of the medication as part of creating this article. All content contained in this article is sourced from public sources or the manufacturer.
References
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Crociolli GC, Cassu RN, Barbero RC, Rocha TL, Gomes DR, Nicácio GM. Gabapentin as an adjuvant for postoperative pain management in dogs undergoing mastectomy. J Vet Med Sci. 2015;77(8):1011-1015.
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van Haaften KA, Forsythe LRE, Stelow EA, Bain MJ. Effects of a single preappointment dose of gabapentin on signs of stress in cats during transportation and veterinary examination. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2017;251(10):1175-1181.
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Davis LV, Hellyer PW, Downing RA, Kogan LR (2020). Retrospective Study of 240 Dogs Receiving Gabapentin for Chronic Pain Relief. J Vet Med Res 7(4): 1194.
