# Gabapentin: veterinary dose and monograph

> Gabapentin is a veterinary analgesic. GABA analogue — acts on alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels. Indications include neuropathic pain (chronic / cancer / post-surgical); multimodal analgesia (with NSAIDs and/or opioids); adjunctive anticonvulsant (refractory epilepsy). This monograph lists 9 reference doses for dogs, cats, horses, pigs, sugar gliders and primates, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals.

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

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Analgesic
- **Also known as:** Neurontin
- **Species with doses:** Dogs, Cats, Horses, Pigs, Sugar gliders and Primates
- **General dose range:** 3–10 mg/kg PO q8–12h — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Neuropathic pain (chronic / cancer / post-surgical)
- Multimodal analgesia (with NSAIDs and/or opioids)
- Adjunctive anticonvulsant (refractory epilepsy)
- Pre-visit anxiolysis in cats
- Chronic osteoarthritis pain (adjunct)

## Gabapentin 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

*Gabapentin doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neuropathic / chronic pain | 5–10 mg/kg | PO | q8–12h | — |
| Adjunctive anticonvulsant | 10–20 mg/kg | PO | q8h | — |

- Neuropathic / chronic pain: Papich 5e: start 5–15 mg/kg q12h PO, increasing gradually up to 40 mg/kg q8–12h if needed. Plumb’s p.562: 5–10 mg/kg PO two to three times daily (VIN consensus); 2.5–10 (up to 15) mg/kg 1–3 times daily (Posner & Papich); 3 mg/kg once daily for cancer pain (Lascelles). Human oral liquids may contain xylitol — avoid.
- Adjunctive anticonvulsant: Papich 5e: 10–20 mg/kg q8h PO (higher end may be needed). Plumb’s p.562: 10–20 mg/kg q6–8h (Munana — least effective of the newer antiepileptics); 10–30 mg/kg q8–12h (Podell); 10 mg/kg q8h (Platt). Do not stop abruptly.

### Cats

*Gabapentin doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pre-visit anxiolysis | 50–100 mg/cat | PO | once | — |
| Chronic / neuropathic pain | 3–10 mg/kg | PO | q8–12h | — |
| Adjunctive anticonvulsant | 5–10 mg/kg | PO | q8–12h | — |

- Pre-visit anxiolysis: 50–100 mg per cat PO, 90 min before veterinary visit. Marked sedation at 100 mg. Papich 5e p398: 100 mg/cat (20–30 mg/kg) given 90 minutes before the event.
- Chronic / neuropathic pain: Papich 5e: neuropathic pain 5–10 mg/kg q12h PO. Plumb’s p.562: 2.5–5 mg/kg q12h suggested, starting at 5 mg/kg and increasing to 10 mg/kg (Mathews); 5–10 mg/kg 2–3 times daily (VIN); 50 mg per cat 1–3 times daily (Posner & Papich); 3 mg/kg once daily (Lascelles). Reduce in renal insufficiency; sedation is the usual dose limit.
- Adjunctive anticonvulsant: Papich 5e: 5–10 mg/kg q12h PO, increased to 20 mg/kg q8–12h in some cats. Plumb’s p.562: 5–10 mg/kg q8–12h (Podell; Munana); 5 mg/kg three times daily (Pearce); 10–30 mg/kg q8–12h (Mariani).

### Horses

*Gabapentin doses for horses*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neuropathic pain / laminitis | 2.5–10 mg/kg | PO | q8–12h | — |

- Neuropathic pain / laminitis: Papich 5e: horses 2.5 mg/kg q8–24h PO, increased as needed; doses of 10 mg/kg and higher q8–12h reached concentrations effective in other species. Oral bioavailability in horses is low (~16%).

### Pigs

*Gabapentin doses for pigs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Miniature/pet pig — neuropathic / chronic pain | 5–15 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Miniature/pet pig — neuropathic / chronic pain: Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 12-5 (p.669): miniature pigs 5–15 mg/kg PO q12h, then increase gradually as high as 40 mg/kg PO q8–12h prn.

### Sugar gliders

*Gabapentin doses for sugar gliders*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neuropathic pain / self-mutilation | 3–5 mg/kg | PO | q8–24h | — |

- Neuropathic pain / self-mutilation: Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7-4 (p.500): sugar gliders 3–5 mg/kg PO q8–24h. Anxiolytic; useful in self-mutilation cases. Start low and titrate — may cause sedation at higher doses.

### Primates

*Gabapentin doses for primates*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neuropathic / chronic pain (monkeys) | 12.8–13.5 mg/kg | PO | q8h | — |

- Neuropathic / chronic pain (monkeys): Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 13-4 (p.694): monkeys/chimpanzees 12.8–13.5 mg/kg PO q8h.

## Contraindications

Hypersensitivity. LIQUID FORMULATIONS CONTAINING XYLITOL — FATAL IN DOGS. Reduce dose in renal insufficiency. Abrupt discontinuation may precipitate seizures — taper over 1–2 weeks. Not for food-producing animals.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Dogs: XYLITOL-CONTAINING compounded liquids are TOXIC — verify formulation. Otherwise very safe. Dose-reduce in advanced CKD.

> **Caution:** Cats: Excellent pre-visit anxiolytic at 50–100 mg PO 2–3 h before transport. Also useful for chronic OA pain at 5–10 mg/kg PO q8–12h.

> **Caution:** Horses: Used for chronic laminitis pain at 5–10 mg/kg PO q8h. Limited published efficacy data; extra-label.

## Adverse effects

- Sedation, ataxia (dose-dependent, usually self-limiting)
- Dogs: sedation, ataxia, GI upset
- Cats: marked sedation at higher doses
- Weight gain (chronic use)
- Withdrawal seizures if stopped abruptly

## Drug interactions

- CNS depressants (opioids, alpha-2, benzodiazepines, anaesthetics): additive sedation — reduce other drug doses 20–30%
- Antacids (aluminium / magnesium): reduce gabapentin absorption — separate by 2 h
- Hydrocodone: increased gabapentin AUC
- NSAIDs: no significant interaction; complementary analgesia
- Renal-excreted drugs: minimal interaction (gabapentin not metabolised hepatically)

## Pregnancy and lactation

Crosses placenta. Limited veterinary data. FDA Category C (human). Generally avoided in pregnancy unless clinically essential.

## Monitoring

- Pain scoring — efficacy usually evident within 3–7 days for chronic pain
- Sedation depth — cats may show ataxia at higher doses
- Renal function in CKD patients on chronic dosing — accumulation possible
- Xylitol content of liquid formulations — NEVER give xylitol-containing liquid to dogs
- Drug-seeking behaviour (human) — Schedule V in some US states

## Toxicity and overdose

Wide therapeutic margin. Overdose: sedation, ataxia, occasional vomiting / hypersalivation. No respiratory depression, no cardiac effects, no organ toxicity reported. CKD patients: cumulative sedation at standard doses — reduce dose in advanced renal failure. Xylitol-containing oral liquid (some human compounded forms) is TOXIC to dogs — verify formulation.

Management: Supportive care only — usually self-limiting. Activated charcoal if recent ingestion + large dose. Cats / small dogs with hypersalivation: anti-emetic if needed. Hydration. Most overdoses resolve within 12–24 h.

## Clinical pearls

- Cats pre-visit anxiolytic: 50–100 mg PO 2–3 h before transport — Schedule V controlled (US) but extremely effective and well tolerated
- Chronic OA / neuropathic pain (dogs): 10–20 mg/kg PO q8h — titrate over 1–2 weeks
- Chronic OA pain (cats): 5–10 mg/kg PO q8–12h
- Refractory seizures (dogs): 10–20 mg/kg PO q8h — adjunct to phenobarbital + KBr
- Compounded liquid: BEWARE xylitol-containing human formulations — verify with compounder
- Renal failure: reduce dose 50% — gabapentin is renally excreted unchanged
- NMDA-mediated wind-up pain (paw amputation, chronic back pain): gabapentin + tramadol + NSAID = multimodal
- Effect builds over 1–2 weeks for chronic pain — explain to owners not to expect immediate effect

## Mechanism of action

GABA structural analogue (does NOT bind GABA receptors directly). Binds the α2δ-1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in neurons, reducing presynaptic Ca²⁺ influx and decreasing release of excitatory neurotransmitters (glutamate, substance P, noradrenaline). Effects: anti-neuropathic-pain (signature use), anxiolysis, mild sedation, anticonvulsant. Renal excretion (no hepatic metabolism) — dose-reduce in CKD. Half-life 3–4 h dogs, 3 h cats — q8h dosing for chronic pain; pre-procedural use 1–3 h before.

## Formulations and products

- Capsule 100 mg
- Capsule 300 mg
- Capsule 400 mg
- Tablet 600 mg
- Tablet 800 mg

## Storage

Capsules / tablets: 15–30 °C, dry. Oral solution: refrigerated, discard 30 days after opening. CAUTION: human oral liquid often contains XYLITOL — toxic to dogs. Verify formulation before dispensing to canine patients.

## 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 analgesics

- [Butorphanol](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/butorphanol)
- [Codeine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/codeine)
- [Dipyrone (Metamizole)](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/dipyrone)
- [Fentanyl](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/fentanyl)
- [Hydromorphone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/hydromorphone)
- [Lidocaine HCl](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/lidocaine)
- [Methadone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/methadone)
- [Morphine Sulfate](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/morphine)

## Frequently asked questions

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

Reference doses for Gabapentin in dogs: 5–10 mg/kg PO q8–12h (Neuropathic / chronic pain); 10–20 mg/kg PO q8h (Adjunctive anticonvulsant). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

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

Reference doses for Gabapentin in cats: 50–100 mg/cat PO once (Pre-visit anxiolysis); 3–10 mg/kg PO q8–12h (Chronic / neuropathic pain); 5–10 mg/kg PO q8–12h (Adjunctive anticonvulsant). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Gabapentin for horses?

Reference doses for Gabapentin in horses: 2.5–10 mg/kg PO q8–12h (Neuropathic pain / laminitis). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the withdrawal period for Gabapentin?

Pigs, PO (Miniature/pet pig — neuropathic / chronic pain): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ.

### When should Gabapentin not be used?

Hypersensitivity. LIQUID FORMULATIONS CONTAINING XYLITOL — FATAL IN DOGS. Reduce dose in renal insufficiency. Abrupt discontinuation may precipitate seizures — taper over 1–2 weeks. Not for food-producing animals.

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

Sedation, ataxia (dose-dependent, usually self-limiting); Dogs: sedation, ataxia, GI upset; Cats: marked sedation at higher doses; Weight gain (chronic use); Withdrawal seizures if stopped abruptly.

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition
- Carpenter, Exotic Animal Formulary

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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.