Gabapentin dosage for dogs by weight

Gabapentin treats anxiety, seizures, and chronic pain in dogs

By Taneia Surles | Mar. 6, 2024 Medically reviewed by Emma Ryan, DVM

Key takeaways

The prescription drug gabapentin is a pain medication vets use for off-label treatment of intervertebral disk disease, seizures, anxiety, or chronic pain management in dogs.
The standard treatment of gabapentin dosage for dogs is 10 mg/kg.
The max gabapentin dose for dogs is 30 mg/kg, although a veterinarian may increase or decrease the dosage depending on the dog’s weight, breed, medical conditions, and other factors.
Gabapentin can be given to a dog every eight to 12 hours.

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant prescription medication that treats seizures, anxiety, and pain in humans and pets. The prescription drug is available in capsules, tablets, and liquid.

Veterinarians use gabapentin to treat pets, specifically dogs, with intervertebral disk disease, seizures, anxiety, or arthritis pain, according to Ray Spragley, DVM, CVA, CCRT, the founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care in New York. “Gabapentin is typically given at a dose of 10 milligrams per kilogram up to three times daily,” Dr. Spragley explains.

The most common side effects of gabapentin include sedation and loss of coordination. More serious side effects include vomiting and diarrhea. If dog parents notice these possible side effects, they should schedule a veterinary visit.

How much gabapentin can I give my dog?

The standard gabapentin dosage for dogs is 5-30 mg/kg up to three times daily. However, the dosage can vary by condition.

Below is a chart of gabapentin dosage for dogs by weight.

Gabapentin dosage by weight for dogs
Weight	Starting dosage	Max dosage
5-10 lbs.	50 mg compounded liquid	100 mg compounded liquid or capsule
11-20 lbs.	100 mg, oral capsules	200 mg, oral capsules
21-30 lbs.	150 mg, oral tablets	300 mg, oral capsules or tablets
31-40 lbs.	200 mg, oral capsules	400 mg, oral tablets or capsules
41-50 lbs.	250 mg, oral tablets	500 mg, oral capsules or tablets
51-60 lbs.	300 mg, oral capsules or tablets	600 mg, oral capsules or tablets
61-70 lbs.	350 mg, oral tablets	700 mg, oral capsules or tablets
71-80 lbs.	400 mg, oral capsules or tablets	800 mg, oral capsules or tablets
81-90 lbs.	450 mg, oral tablets	900 mg, oral capsules or tablets
91-100 lbs.	500 mg, oral capsules or tablets	1000 mg, oral capsules or tablets
100+	Please consult the veterinarian for dosage.

Source: Gitnux

The following are the recommended doses for off-label use of gabapentin by condition.

Gabapentin for seizures

A dosage of 10-20 mg/kg every eight hours orally is administered to manage seizures in dogs. Certain dogs may sometimes be given a higher dose to control seizures.

Gabapentin for neuropathic pain

The dosage may start at 5-15 mg/kg every 12 hours and gradually increase to 40 mg/kg every eight to 12 hours if necessary to treat neuropathic (nerve) pain.

Gabapentin for short-term treatment of anxiety

If the goal of treatment is to achieve anxiolysis, doses may reach up to 30-50 mg/kg one to two hours before a situation that could trigger a dog’s anxiety. Anxiolysis is the level of sedation where the dog is very relaxed and possibly awake.

According to Dr. Spragley, a dog may receive a gabapentin prescription for the following conditions: intervertebral disk disease, seizures, anxiety, or pain management for arthritis or other related conditions.

Intervertebral disk disease

Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) can cause back pain in dogs. The condition is more common among older adults but can also occur in younger dogs of certain breeds.

The following symptoms of IVDD include:

Neck or back pain and stiffness
Lowered head stance
Arched back
Touch sensitivity
Lameness or paralysis in one or more limbs
Ataxia (lack of coordination)
Stilted or tentative gait
Difficulties with urination

The severity of IVDD varies, with some dogs experiencing mild chronic pain and discomfort while others can develop paralysis.

“Gabapentin works well to relieve nerve pain,” Dr. Spragley states. Dog owners can give human gabapentin for pain relief, but it should be in tablet or capsule form. Liquid gabapentin formulated for humans contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener that’s toxic to dogs.

“That is why it is important to never share medications with your dog and to fill your dog’s prescriptions at pharmacies with staff trained in the differences between dogs and people,” adds Caroline Cofer, DVM, the owner of Pet’s Favorite Vet in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

If your dog has consumed the liquid version of gabapentin, please contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance.

Seizures

Seizures develop from conditions like low blood sugar, liver disease, toxins, brain tumors, brain trauma, congenital disease, and kidney disease. About 2% of all dogs will have at least one seizure in their life. The symptoms of seizures in dogs are:

Temporary confusion
Uncontrollable jerking movements in the arms and legs
Loss of consciousness or awareness
Staring spells
Changes in emotions or cognitive functioning

“Seizures can be treated with gabapentin,” Dr. Spragley says. “It is commonly used as an adjunct medication in conjunction with other medications such as Keppra or phenobarbital to prevent seizures.”

Anxiety

A veterinarian may prescribe gabapentin if a dog is experiencing forms of canine anxiety in stress-inducing situations. Dogs can develop separation anxiety, which arises when they are separated from their owners and left alone for longer periods. Symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs include:

Urinating and defecating in the house
Vocalization through barking and howling
Chewing, digging, and destroying household items
Escaping
Pacing
Coprophagia (eating feces)

Gabapentin may also be helpful for dogs in other stressful situations. “We see [gabapentin] commonly prescribed to give on its own or with trazodone to dogs who are scared to come to the vet, have their nails trimmed, or when fireworks are shot,” Dr. Cofer explains.

Arthritis

Arthritis is another medical condition for which a vet may prescribe gabapentin to treat dogs. Canine arthritis, or osteoarthritis, occurs when the bone cartilage of the joint is damaged. The condition can cause symptoms like:

Stiffness
Lameness
Limping after rest
Loss of appetite
Unusual weight gain
Physical inactivity
Reluctance to walk
House soiling
Irritability

“We know that any dog with arthritic pain can experience a phenomenon called ‘wind up’ where the achy joint causes everything else in the body to hurt more,” Dr. Cofer explains.

“Given with or without a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, gabapentin reduces the perception of the dog’s mind of the pain coming from an arthritic joint and decreases the wind-up mechanism.”

Typically, gabapentin is not prescribed as a first-line treatment for arthritis. However, a research study has found it effective in reducing pain in knee arthritis in humans. With growing evidence to support the use of gabapentin for chronic pain, it is being used more often to treat arthritis in dogs.

What is the max gabapentin dose for dogs by weight?

Dr. Spragley states that 30 mg/kg is at the high end of the safe dosage of gabapentin for dogs. “At this range, there is a high likelihood of side effects such as sedation and ataxia,” he adds.

Ataxia is a neurological condition that causes a lack of muscle control, leading to clumsy involuntary movements and gait imbalance.

However, it is important to note the maximum dose of gabapentin for dogs can vary depending on several factors.

“Safe doses for gabapentin range widely and will be selected by your veterinarian to treat your dog’s particular problem best, taking into account things like other medications they are taking, their body fat percentage, and how often you are directed to administer it,” Dr. Cofer explains.

Can dogs overdose on gabapentin?

It’s uncommon for dogs to overdose on gabapentin. “They would need to ingest a large amount of gabapentin to have an overdose,” Dr. Spragley says. “Signs [of an overdose] would include severe lethargy, incoordination, diarrhea, and vomiting. If any of those signs are present, they should be taken to their veterinarian immediately.”

How often can I give my dog gabapentin?

Owners must follow the recommended dosage schedule for gabapentin. “Gabapentin is effective for around eight hours, so it is typically prescribed for three times daily,” Dr. Spragley reports. “Some dogs tolerate two times daily very well.”

The starting dose for gabapentin is 10 mg/kg, but this can change depending on the dog’s breed, size, and medical condition. The maximum dosage is 30 mg/kg, which may increase for the previously mentioned factors.

By following your veterinarian’s dosing guidelines, gabapentin use in dogs should be safe and effective. Always watch for side effects, and call the veterinarian if any problems arise.