{"id":627585,"date":"2024-03-27T16:17:24","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T20:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627585"},"modified":"2025-09-03T11:11:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T15:11:10","slug":"amoxicillin-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/amoxicillin-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Amoxicillin for cats: Dosage and Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amoxicillin<\/span><\/a> is a bactericidal <\/span>antibiotic<\/span><\/a> commonly used in cats and dogs. It\u2019s related to <\/span>penicillin<\/span><\/a>, but animals absorb it better, and the drug stays active longer. Amoxicillin, penicillin, and similar drugs called beta-lactams kill bacteria by blocking their ability to make cell walls. They essentially punch holes in bacteria cell walls, causing them to die. Amoxicillin has FDA approval to work against a large variety of feline bacterial infections, including <\/span>urinary tract infections<\/span><\/a>, upper respiratory tract infections, soft tissue infections, skin infections, and intestinal infections. However, veterinarians may use it <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> for other types of bacterial infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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What is amoxicillin used for in cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Veterinarians use <\/span>amoxicillin<\/span><\/a> to eradicate bacterial infections in cats. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its use in cats to treat bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract, digestive system, skin, soft tissues, skin, and urinary tract. Amoxicillin cannot fight off every type of bacterial infection. It\u2019s most effective against anaerobic bacteria that don\u2019t need oxygen, as long as they haven\u2019t developed resistance to drugs that work like amoxicillin, called beta-lactams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Urinary tract infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

UTIs, particularly bladder infections, commonly involve common bacteria that can be <\/span>killed by amoxicillin<\/span><\/a>, such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and E. coli. Amoxicillin can\u2019t treat all possible bacterial infections. Veterinarians will make their best prediction about the infecting agent and the appropriate antibiotic <\/span>based on the nature of the case<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gastrointestinal infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many bacteria that cause UTIs normally live harmlessly in the intestines, but they can sometimes cause problems there, too. Amoxicillin is a first-line treatment for these infections. Additionally, some cats are infected by a type of stomach bacteria called Helicobacter. Though <\/span>veterinarians are uncertain<\/span><\/a>, Helicobacter stomach infections may sometimes cause stomach lining irritation. Some veterinarians will use amoxicillin or another antibiotic off-label if the cat shows signs of stomach irritation or ulceration, such as chronic vomiting or lack of appetite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upper respiratory tract infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some upper respiratory tract infections in cats, such as tonsillitis and tracheobronchitis, are caused by bacteria susceptible to amoxicillin. Again, the veterinarian will start amoxicillin or another antibiotic based on their best deduction of <\/span>the bacteria involved<\/span><\/a>. However, repeated infections may require tests to determine the precise bacteria involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Skin and soft tissue infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

Skin infections such as bacterial dermatitis and soft tissue infections such as abscesses, lacerations, and wounds are also commonly caused by amoxicillin-susceptible bacteria like Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. Again, these bacteria are so common that veterinarians usually start amoxicillin therapy based on the evidence they observe. If the prescribed antibiotic doesn\u2019t work, they\u2019ll take a sample and test it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Is amoxicillin safe for cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Penicillins like amoxicillin are among <\/span>the most commonly used<\/span><\/a> antibiotics in veterinary medicine. Amoxicillin is effective, safe, well-studied, and has few side effects. Its one drawback is its potential to provoke an allergic reaction, which is true of antibiotics. Cats who have had any kind of allergic reaction to penicillin or penicillin drugs should not be given amoxicillin.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also possible that cats who have had an allergic reaction to drugs that work like amoxicillin may have a reaction to amoxicillin itself. Tell the veterinarian about any allergic reaction a cat might have had to previous medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cats with sepsis, shock, or severe illness should not be given oral antibiotics. They may be too sick to absorb the medicine, so injections are required.<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects of amoxicillin in cats<\/span><\/h3>\n

The most common side effects of amoxicillin in cats are:<\/span><\/p>\n