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Key takeaways
Veterinarians prescribe gabapentin for dogs to provide pain relief, treat seizures, and reduce anxiety.
A gabapentin overdose in a dog can cause problems, sometimes serious enough to require veterinary care.
To prevent an overdose, caregivers should carefully follow a veterinarian’s directions and keep the medication stored out of the dog’s reach.
Gabapentin is a prescription anti-seizure drug and nerve pain medication. It’s normally safe and effective to give to dogs to treat seizure disorders, anxiety, or pain when prescribed by a veterinarian. Dogs can overdose on gabapentin, making them sleepy, wobbly, or sick to their stomach. To avoid an overdose, caregivers should not only rigorously follow the veterinarian’s instructions, but they should also be aware of side effects and the possible signs of an overdose. When gabapentin causes side effects or overdose symptoms, get help from a veterinarian.
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Can dogs overdose on gabapentin?
Yes, dogs can take too much gabapentin and even overdose on it, causing noticeable symptoms that may require medical care. However, dogs usually recover from a gabapentin overdose when they get the appropriate veterinary care. If a dog is showing clinical signs of an overdose, call a veterinarian or veterinary hospital for medical advice.
How much gabapentin is too much for a dog? Normally, veterinarians calculate gabapentin doses by the dog’s weight, but other factors might make even a clinically appropriate dose too high. “Toxicity depends on multiple things, such as the dose ingested, the dog’s size, and overall health,” adds Dr. Nita Vasudevan, DVM, a veterinarian and veterinary consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance. The dog’s sensitivity to gabapentin might also be a factor. Some drug interactions might elicit overdose symptoms.
In case an overdose happens, knowing the next steps to take is crucial. “If you suspect an overdose, contact your veterinarian immediately,” Dr. Vasudevan says, encouraging pet owners to share information about symptoms, how much the dog consumed, and the timing of the situation. The vet may recommend induced vomiting and/or hospitalization for IV fluids, monitoring, or respiratory support.
Calling the Pet Poison Helpline is another option. The number is (855) 764-7661.
Signs of gabapentin overdose in dogs
The most typical signs of a gabapentin overdose in dogs are:
- Loss of coordination or wobbliness (ataxia)
- Sleepiness
- Low energy (lethargy)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Causes of gabapentin overdose in dogs
Overdoses can occur in a few ways, including “accidental ingestion, miscalculation of dose, or interaction with other drugs that enhance the effect of the gabapentin,” says Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM, a veterinarian expert with JustAnswer.
To avoid accidental ingestion, caregivers should keep the medicine bottle out of the pet’s reach, such as in a locked cabinet. “Overdoses can occur with accidental ingestion if dogs chew on a bottle of gabapentin or eat pills left out,” Dr. Vasudevan adds.
To avoid giving the dog an inappropriate dose, make sure the vet has your dog’s accurate weight. When using oral liquid gabapentin, always use the appropriate-sized dose measuring device, Dr. Alleyne says, such as a calibrated oral syringe.
Be clear about the dosing schedule. Dogs are given gabapentin doses every eight or 12 hours. It may be easy to dose a dog too soon. The dog may then get sleepy or lethargic. To avoid that, set an alarm or use a phone app to remind you of dosing times.
Most importantly, ask the vet how to handle missed doses before starting the drug. Doubling a dose to make up for a missed dose is an overdose.
As far as drug interactions, Dr. Vasudevan warns against opioids or other central nervous system depressants. “Gabapentin combined with sedatives or medications affecting the central nervous system (e.g. opioids) can amplify effects and lead to overdose symptoms,” she says. “Always inform your veterinarian about all medications or supplements your dog is taking before starting gabapentin.”
With that said, dogs are usually fine, Dr. Vasudevan says. “When handled properly, gabapentin is a safe and effective medication for many dogs, but careful dosing and storage are essential to prevent overdoses.”
What is the maximum dosage for gabapentin in dogs?
There is no published toxic dose of gabapentin for dogs in veterinary literature.
The standard dosage of gabapentin for dogs is 5–30 mg/kg given every eight hours, though there are published recommended dosages that go as high as 60 mg/kg given every six to eight hours.
“The dosage of gabapentin can vary based on the condition being treated, previous response to other medications, and if the pet is concurrently on any other medications,” Dr. Alleyne says. For example, dogs with kidney disease or liver disease may need an adjusted dose.
Dr. Vasudevan agrees that the range can vary greatly; for example, a dog may need more for seizure management than pain management. She urges caregivers to get dosage approval from their prescribing veterinarian.
Since there is no defined maximum dosage, caregivers should consider the prescribed dosage to be the maximum dosage. In general, most dogs are prescribed 10–20 mg/kg, which is equivalent to 5-10mg/lb given every eight to 12 hours. At a dose of 20 mg/kg (10 mg/lb), caregivers will give the following doses every eight or 12 hours:
Gabapentin for dogs dosage by weight |
|
|---|---|
| Weight | Example dosage (10 mg/lb) |
| 5-10 lbs. | 50-100 mg every 8–12 hours |
| 11-20 lbs. | 100-200 mg every 8–12 hours |
| 21-30 lbs. | 200-300 mg every 8–12 hours |
| 31-40 lbs. | 300-400 mg every 8–12 hours |
| 41-50 lbs. | 400-500 mg every 8–12 hours |
| 51-60 lbs. | 500-600 mg every 8–12 hours |
| 61-70 lbs. | 600-700 mg every 8–12 hours |
| 71-80 lbs. | 700-800 mg every 8–12 hours |
Supplements are an alternative treatment option and a common practice among veterinarians. Veterinarians may encourage dog owners to buy natural supplements, such as joint supplements for pain, in addition to the dog’s current medication. This adjunctive therapy can provide additional support. Another medication type that may be helpful is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for anxiety.
RELATED: Gabapentin dosage form and strengths
- Effects of gabapentin on the treatment of behavioral disorders in dogs: A retrospective evaluation, Animals (2024)
- Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed (2011)
- Saunder’s Handbook of Veterinary Drugs 4th ed. (2016)
- Toxicoses from human analgesics in animals, Merck Veterinary Manual