# Benazepril: veterinary dose and monograph

> Benazepril is a veterinary cardiovascular drug. Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor pro-drug (active metabolite benazeprilat). Indications include congestive heart failure (with diuretics ± pimobendan); systemic hypertension (dogs and cats); proteinuric chronic kidney disease / protein-losing nephropathy (reduces proteinuria). This monograph lists 3 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/benazepril · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Cardiovascular
- **Also known as:** Fortekor, Benazepril hydrochloride, Benace
- **Species with doses:** Dogs and Cats
- **General dose range:** 0.25–0.5 mg/kg PO q24h — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Congestive heart failure (with diuretics ± pimobendan)
- Systemic hypertension (dogs and cats)
- Proteinuric chronic kidney disease / protein-losing nephropathy (reduces proteinuria)
- Preventive afterload reduction in some myxomatous mitral valve disease protocols

## Benazepril dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

### Dogs

*Benazepril doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CHF / hypertension / proteinuria | 0.25–0.5 mg/kg | PO | q12–24h | — |

- CHF / hypertension / proteinuria: Papich 5e: 0.25–0.5 mg/kg q12–24h PO (0.5 mg/kg q24h in most), increasing by 0.5 mg/kg if needed to a maximum of 2 mg/kg q24h. Plumb’s p.144: heart failure 0.25–0.5 mg/kg once or twice daily; hypertension/proteinuria 0.25–1 mg/kg q12–24h (Bartges 2009). Monitor creatinine and potassium.

### Cats

*Benazepril doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CKD proteinuria / CHF | 0.25–0.5 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |
| Systemic hypertension | 0.5–1 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- CKD proteinuria / CHF: Papich 5e: CKD 0.25–0.5 mg/kg q24h PO. Plumb’s p.144: heart failure 0.25–0.5 mg/kg once daily; CKD proteinuria/hypertension 0.25–0.5 mg/kg q12–24h (Polzin 2006). Monitor creatinine and potassium.
- Systemic hypertension: Papich 5e: 0.5–1 mg/kg/day PO, or 2.5 mg per cat daily for cats up to 5 kg. Plumb’s p.144: 0.5–1 mg/kg once daily (Sparkes; Adams). Usually second-line after amlodipine unless proteinuric.

## Contraindications

Bilateral renal artery stenosis, significant pre-existing hypotension, dehydration/hypovolaemia, hyperkalaemia, and outflow-tract obstruction (e.g. severe sub-aortic stenosis). Pregnancy (fetotoxic — ACE inhibitors damage the developing kidney). Use cautiously with other RAAS drugs/diuretics; known ACE-inhibitor hypersensitivity.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Cats: Monitor renal values closely in CKD cats; benazepril is generally well tolerated but azotaemia and hyperkalaemia can occur, especially with dehydration.

## Adverse effects

- Hypotension (especially first dose with diuretics)
- Azotaemia / worsening renal values (reduced GFR)
- Hyperkalaemia
- GI upset (vomiting, inappetence)
- Rare cough/weakness, hypersensitivity

## Drug interactions

- Diuretics (furosemide): additive hypotension and pre-renal azotaemia — start low, monitor
- Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone) / potassium supplements: hyperkalaemia
- NSAIDs: blunt the ACE-inhibitor effect and increase nephrotoxicity risk
- Other antihypertensives: additive blood-pressure lowering
- Lithium: reduced clearance

## Pregnancy and lactation

Contraindicated in pregnancy — ACE inhibitors are fetotoxic (renal dysgenesis, oligohydramnios-type effects). Avoid in breeding animals intended for pregnancy.

## Monitoring

- Renal values (BUN/creatinine, SDMA) and electrolytes (potassium) at baseline, ~3–7 days after starting/dose changes, then periodically
- Blood pressure
- Body weight / clinical signs of CHF (resting respiratory rate)
- Urine protein:creatinine ratio in proteinuric patients

## Toxicity and overdose

Overdose causes pronounced hypotension, weakness, azotaemia and hyperkalaemia. Generally well tolerated within therapeutic range; the main clinical hazards are first-dose hypotension and renal decompensation when combined aggressively with diuretics in a volume-depleted patient.

Management: No specific antidote. IV fluids to correct hypotension (cautiously in cardiac patients), treat hyperkalaemia (calcium gluconate, dextrose/insulin) and support renal function. Vasopressors if refractory hypotension. Monitor renal values and electrolytes until stable.

## Clinical pearls

- Preferred ACE inhibitor in renal patients — partly biliary clearance means less accumulation than enalapril in CKD
- Expect a small rise in creatinine on starting; a stable mild increase is acceptable, but recheck and adjust if it climbs significantly
- Combine cautiously with furosemide — start low to avoid first-dose hypotension and pre-renal azotaemia
- A cornerstone of feline CKD proteinuria management and canine CHF (with pimobendan + diuretic)
- Stop and reassess if the patient becomes dehydrated or anorexic (RAAS blockade + volume depletion = azotaemia)

## Mechanism of action

Benazeprilat inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme, blocking conversion of angiotensin I to the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II and reducing aldosterone secretion. The result is arteriolar and venous dilation (reduced afterload and preload), lower blood pressure, less sodium/water retention, and reduced intraglomerular pressure — which decreases proteinuria and slows renal injury. Reduced bradykinin breakdown contributes to vasodilation.

## Formulations and products

- 2.5 mg tablet (Fortekor)
- 5 mg tablet (Fortekor)
- 10 / 20 mg tablet (Fortekor / human)
- Fortekor (Elanco (Novartis)) — 2.5 / 5 / 20 mg flavoured tablet, Tablet
- Fortekor Plus (Elanco) — Benazepril + Pimobendan, Tablet (combination)
- Benace / Benazepril — 5 / 10 / 20 mg tablet, Tablet (human-label)

## Storage

Tablets: 15–30 °C, dry, protected from light.

## Before you use this dose

> **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

## Other cardiovascular drugs

- [Amiodarone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/amiodarone)
- [Amlodipine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/amlodipine)
- [Atenolol](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/atenolol)
- [Captopril](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/captopril)
- [Carvedilol](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/carvedilol)
- [Digoxin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/digoxin)
- [Diltiazem](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/diltiazem)
- [Dobutamine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/dobutamine)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Benazepril for dogs?

Reference doses for Benazepril in dogs: 0.25–0.5 mg/kg PO q12–24h (CHF / hypertension / proteinuria). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Benazepril for cats?

Reference doses for Benazepril in cats: 0.25–0.5 mg/kg PO q24h (CKD proteinuria / CHF); 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q24h (Systemic hypertension). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Benazepril not be used?

Bilateral renal artery stenosis, significant pre-existing hypotension, dehydration/hypovolaemia, hyperkalaemia, and outflow-tract obstruction (e.g. severe sub-aortic stenosis). Pregnancy (fetotoxic — ACE inhibitors damage the developing kidney). Use cautiously with other RAAS drugs/diuretics; known ACE-inhibitor hypersensitivity.

### What are the side effects of Benazepril in animals?

Hypotension (especially first dose with diuretics); Azotaemia / worsening renal values (reduced GFR); Hyperkalaemia; GI upset (vomiting, inappetence); Rare cough/weakness, hypersensitivity.

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.