# Metoclopramide: veterinary dose and monograph

> Metoclopramide is a veterinary gastrointestinal drug. Central D2-antagonist antiemetic plus upper-GI prokinetic (increases gastric emptying and lower-oesophageal tone). Indications include delayed gastric emptying / motility disorders; gastro-oesophageal reflux (peri-anaesthetic); post-operative ileus (CRI). This monograph lists 11 reference doses for dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas and 2 more species, each with route, frequency and source.

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

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Gastrointestinal
- **Also known as:** Reglan, Perinorm, Maxeran
- **Species with doses:** Dogs, Cats, Horses, Rabbits, Guinea pigs, Chinchillas, Sugar gliders and Primates
- **General dose range:** 0.2–0.5 mg/kg PO q6–8h or CRI — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO, IV, SC
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Delayed gastric emptying / motility disorders
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux (peri-anaesthetic)
- Post-operative ileus (CRI)
- Adjunct antiemetic

## Metoclopramide 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

*Metoclopramide doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Antiemetic / prokinetic | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | PO | q6–8h, 30 min before food | — |
| Antiemetic / prokinetic CRI | 1–2 mg/kg/day | IV | CRI (≈0.01–0.02 mg/kg/h) | — |
| Agalactia — promote milk production | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | SC | q12h | — |

- Antiemetic / prokinetic: Papich 5e: antiemetic 0.5 mg/kg q8h IV, IM or PO. Plumb’s p.822: 0.2–0.5 mg/kg PO or parenterally q8h (Hall 2008); 0.1–0.4 mg/kg q6h PO, SC or IM (Washabau). Give 30 min before food. Contraindicated with GI obstruction; avoid in epilepsy or phaeochromocytoma.
- Antiemetic / prokinetic CRI: Plumb’s p.822: 1–2 mg/kg/day as a continuous IV infusion (Washabau; Twedt 2008) — 0.01–0.02 mg/kg/h; up to 2–4 mg/kg/day (Richter 2009). Papich 5e lists much higher rates (0.4 mg/kg load then 0.3 mg/kg/h, up to 1 mg/kg/h in refractory cases). Protect the infusion from light.
- Agalactia — promote milk production: Plumb’s p.822 (Davidson 2009): 0.1–0.2 mg/kg SC q12h, with oxytocin 0.25–1 U total SC q2h for let-down; usually effective within 24 h. Papich 5e: 0.2 mg/kg PO q6h for 6 days to stimulate lactation.

### Cats

*Metoclopramide doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Prokinetic | 0.2–0.4 mg/kg | PO | q8h | — |

- Prokinetic: Plumb’s p.822: 0.2–0.4 mg/kg PO or SC three to four times daily, or 1–2 mg/kg/day as a CRI (Trepanier 1999); 0.2–0.5 mg/kg q8h (Hall & Washabau). Papich 5e: 0.5 mg/kg q8h IV, IM or PO. Cisapride is considered superior for oesophagitis.

### Cattle

*Metoclopramide doses for cattle*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Not recommended | Not a suitable prokinetic in cattle — ineffective at 0.1 mg/kg, adverse effects at 0.3 mg/kg | — | — | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Not recommended: Papich 5e: not recommended in calves and cattle; 0.1 mg/kg IV does not increase abomasal emptying and adverse reactions develop at 0.3 mg/kg.

### Horses

*Metoclopramide doses for horses*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Post-operative ileus (CRI) | 0.04–0.25 mg/kg/h | IV | CRI in IV fluids | — |
| Reflux oesophagitis | 0.02–0.1 mg/kg | SC | q4–12h | — |

- Post-operative ileus (CRI): Plumb’s p.822 (Lester 2004): 0.04 mg/kg/h CRI. Papich 5e: 0.125–0.25 mg/kg/h added to IV fluids. Horses are prone to extrapyramidal excitement and behavioural signs — start low and monitor closely. ARCI Class 4.
- Reflux oesophagitis: Plumb’s p.822 (Jones & Blikslager 2004): 0.02–0.1 mg/kg SC q4–12h; watch for extrapyramidal signs.

### Buffalo

No buffalo-specific doses are on file, so buffalo are dosed as cattle.

*Metoclopramide doses for buffalo*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Not recommended | Not a suitable prokinetic in cattle — ineffective at 0.1 mg/kg, adverse effects at 0.3 mg/kg | — | — | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Not recommended: Papich 5e: not recommended in calves and cattle; 0.1 mg/kg IV does not increase abomasal emptying and adverse reactions develop at 0.3 mg/kg.

### Rabbits

*Metoclopramide doses for rabbits*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GI hypomotility / ileus | 0.2–1 mg/kg | SC | q6–8h | — |

- GI hypomotility / ileus: Plumb’s p.822: rabbits 0.2–1 mg/kg PO or SC q6–8h (Ivey & Morrisey 2000); 0.5 mg/kg SC or PO q8–24h (Bryan 2009). Do not use when an obstruction is present.

### Guinea pigs

*Metoclopramide doses for guinea pigs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GI hypomotility | 0.2–1 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — |

- GI hypomotility: Plumb’s p.822 (Adamcak & Otten 2000): mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs and chinchillas 0.2–1 mg/kg PO, SC or IM q12h.

### Chinchillas

*Metoclopramide doses for chinchillas*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GI hypomotility | 0.2–1 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — |

- GI hypomotility: Plumb’s p.822 (Adamcak & Otten 2000): 0.2–1 mg/kg PO, SC or IM q12h.

### Sugar gliders

*Metoclopramide doses for sugar gliders*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GI prokinetic | 0.05–0.1 mg/kg | PO | q6–12h | — |

- GI prokinetic: Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7-5 (p.501): sugar gliders 0.05–0.1 mg/kg PO/SC/IM q6–12h prn; or 0.5 mg/kg SC q12h prn.

### Primates

*Metoclopramide doses for primates*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Antiemetic / prokinetic (monkeys) | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | PO | q8–24h | — |

- Antiemetic / prokinetic (monkeys): Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 13-7 (p.709): monkeys 0.2–0.5 mg/kg PO/IM q8–24h; chimpanzees 0.4 mg/kg PO/IM/slow IV q8–24h.

## Contraindications

GI obstruction or perforation (a prokinetic is dangerous). Seizure disorders / epilepsy (lowers threshold). Phaeochromocytoma. GI haemorrhage.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Horses: High incidence of extrapyramidal / behavioural side effects in horses — use a low-dose CRI and monitor closely.

## Adverse effects

- Extrapyramidal signs — restlessness, involuntary movements, behaviour change
- Sedation or hyperexcitability
- Crosses the blood-brain barrier — CNS effects more likely than with peripheral antiemetics

## Drug interactions

- Atropine and related anticholinergics: ANTAGONISE the GI motility effect — giving both defeats the purpose
- Opiate analgesics: antagonise the GI motility effect AND enhance metoclopramide's CNS effects
- Phenothiazines (acepromazine, chlorpromazine) and butyrophenones (droperidol, azaperone): may POTENTIATE extrapyramidal effects; several veterinary references call concurrent phenothiazine therapy a contraindication
- SSRI antidepressants (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine): potential for enhanced extrapyramidal effects
- MAO inhibitors (including AMITRAZ and potentially selegiline): could cause hypertension
- CNS depressants (anaesthetics, antihistamines, phenothiazines, barbiturates, tranquillisers, alcohol): metoclopramide may enhance CNS depression
- Anaesthetics: acute hypotension has been reported when metoclopramide is given concurrently IV
- Propofol: metoclopramide reduces induction requirements by 20–25% in humans
- Cholinergic drugs (e.g. bethanechol): may enhance the GI effects
- Cyclosporine and tetracyclines: metoclopramide increases the rate and extent of their GI absorption
- Cephalexin: in dogs, oral metoclopramide raised cephalexin peak concentration and AUC — no dose adjustment required (Prados et al. 2007)
- Aspirin, paracetamol, alcohol: in human overdose situations metoclopramide enhanced their absorption
- Avoid in dogs with pseudopregnancy — it causes prolactin release (Romagnoli 2009)

## Toxicity and overdose

Plumb's p.821: oral LD50 is 465 mg/kg in mice, 760 mg/kg in rats and 870 mg/kg in rabbits, so an oral overdose is unlikely to be lethal in a veterinary patient. Expected signs are sedation, ataxia, agitation, extrapyramidal effects, nausea, vomiting and constipation. There is NO specific antidote. Empty the stomach if ingestion was recent; CNS-penetrating anticholinergics — diphenhydramine 2.2 mg/kg IV, benztropine — may help control the extrapyramidal signs. Peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis are not thought to enhance removal. Note the species trap: in ADULT HORSES, IV metoclopramide has caused severe CNS effects — alternating sedation and excitement, behavioural change and abdominal pain — which appear less common in foals. Reduce the CRI by 25–50% in renal failure (Trepanier 2008).

## Clinical pearls

- Do not co-administer with atropine or an opiate and expect prokinesis — both antagonise the motility effect outright
- Extrapyramidal signs are the classic adverse event; diphenhydramine 2.2 mg/kg IV is the practical rescue
- Best given as a constant-rate infusion for ileus — its prokinetic effect is short-lived with intermittent dosing
- NEVER use when obstruction is possible — confirm patency first
- Stop if you see twitching or agitation — extrapyramidal signs resolve after withdrawal

## Mechanism of action

Plumb's p.821: metoclopramide has two distinct effects. IN THE GI TRACT it stimulates upper GI motility without stimulating gastric, pancreatic or biliary secretion — apparently by sensitising upper GI smooth muscle to acetylcholine. Intact vagal innervation is not required, but anticholinergics NEGATE the effect. Result: increased tone and amplitude of gastric contractions, a relaxed pyloric sphincter, and increased duodenal and jejunal peristalsis, with gastric emptying and intestinal transit significantly shortened. There is little or no effect on colonic motility. IN THE CNS it antagonises dopamine at receptor sites, which explains its sedative effect, its central antiemetic action (blocking dopamine in the chemoreceptor trigger zone), its extrapyramidal effects and its stimulation of prolactin secretion. Oral bioavailability is variable (first-pass effect can drop it to 30% in some patients); IM bioavailability is 74–96%.

## Formulations and products

- Metoclopramide 5 mg/mL injection
- Metoclopramide 10 mg tablet
- Metoclopramide 1 mg/mL syrup

## 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.

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## Frequently asked questions

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

Reference doses for Metoclopramide in dogs: 0.2–0.5 mg/kg PO q6–8h, 30 min before food (Antiemetic / prokinetic); 1–2 mg/kg/day IV CRI (≈0.01–0.02 mg/kg/h) (Antiemetic / prokinetic CRI); 0.1–0.2 mg/kg SC q12h (Agalactia — promote milk production). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

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

Reference doses for Metoclopramide in cats: 0.2–0.4 mg/kg PO q8h (Prokinetic). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### Can Metoclopramide be given to cattle?

Not a suitable prokinetic in cattle — ineffective at 0.1 mg/kg, adverse effects at 0.3 mg/kg (Not recommended).

### When should Metoclopramide not be used?

GI obstruction or perforation (a prokinetic is dangerous). Seizure disorders / epilepsy (lowers threshold). Phaeochromocytoma. GI haemorrhage.

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

Extrapyramidal signs — restlessness, involuntary movements, behaviour change; Sedation or hyperexcitability; Crosses the blood-brain barrier — CNS effects more likely than with peripheral antiemetics.

## Sources

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

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