Gabapentin for Dogs: Uses, Dosage, and Side Effects
Laura Evans | November 14, 2022
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What Is Gabapentin for Dogs?
Gabapentin is a pain relief drug, and an anticonvulsant used to treat pain and seizures in dogs. A common drug for humans, veterinarians also prescribe it to help reduce anxiety in dogs.
Chronic pain can induce anxiety and depression in dogs. It can also cause severe stress to your dog as well as decrease the joy your dogs get out of life. Often called maladaptive pain, chronic pain also diminishes mobility and the dog’s ability to perform activities.
Seizures are common, and one of the causes of seizures is idiopathic epilepsy. While the exact cause is unknown, they usually happen in dogs between 6 months and 6 years old. Besides genetics, other causes of seizures in dogs include:
- Cancer
- Severe anemia
- Low blood sugar
- Brain tumors
- Exposure to toxins
- Metabolic diseases
When it comes to anxiety, the most common reasons include:
- Fear of being home alone
- Abandonment
- Loud noises
- Being around strangers
- Traveling
We have also seen anxiety among neglected or abused dogs. Signs your dog is anxious include reduced activity, hiding, tail tucking, trembling, and others. If your dog is suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, or seizures, the veterinarian will recommend gabapentin.
What Is Gabapentin Used For in Dogs?
As aforementioned, veterinarians prescribe gabapentin to dogs with chronic pain, anxiety, and seizures. They will prescribe the drug to dogs suffering from pain associated with:
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Hyperalgesia
- Allodynia
Hyperalgesia is heightened pain sensitivity. Allodynia is a sensation of pain to non-painful responses.
A vet will also prescribe the drug to dogs with seizures and those that are not responding well to the main epilepsy medications. As aforementioned, epilepsy is hereditary among dogs. By combining gabapentin with other epilepsy drugs, it helps to reduce seizures and enable your dog to go about his daily activities.
Gabapentin is also effective in managing anxiety and stress especially if therapy is not enough. The drug is effective for sudden and predictable stressful events. They include vet visits, thunderstorms, traveling (car rides), fireworks, and others.
Is Gabapentin Safe for Dogs?
Gabapentin is usually considered an “off-label” prescription. This means the drug is specifically designed for humans and not FDA approved for use in dogs. But it’s commonly prescribed alongside others drugs to help treat or relieve chronic pain, anxiety, and seizures.
Generally speaking, Gabapentin is safe for dogs and has few side effects even when an overdose occurs. One of the most common types of side effects of gabapentin in dogs is sedation. However, the level of sedation depends on how your dog’s body reacts to gabapentin.
In one study, high doses of gabapentin caused pancreatic cancer in mice. But a study among humans found that gabapentin does not increase the risk of cancer. Still, no gabapentin studies on dogs. However, since the drug passes through the kidneys, it’s recommended not to prescribe it to dogs with kidney disease.
To alleviate the side effects, the vet will gradually increase the medication until he reaches the recommended dosage.
Recommended Gabapentin Dosage for Dogs
Vets will prescribe gabapentin in the following doses:
- 100 mg tablets and capsules
- 300 mg tablets and capsules
- 400 mg tablets and capsules
- 800 mg tablets and capsules
They usually prescribe the drug once every 8 hours by mouth. You can either give the drug with or without food. When administering the drug, it’s recommended to follow the directions provided by your vet.
The dosage of gabapentin will also vary depending on the condition. For pain management, vets recommend lower doses ranging from 5 to 10 milligrams per kilogram of body mass every 6 to 12 hours.
For seizure control, vets recommend 10 to 20 milligrams per kilogram of body mass every 6 to 12 hours.
If you are not sure ask your vet or a 24/7 pet helpline.
How to Give Your Dog Gabapentin?
Vets recommend giving gabapentin by mouth in the form of compounded liquid, a capsule, or a tablet. You can also administer the drug with or without food. However, if your pet vomits after taking the medication, especially on an empty stomach, give future doses with a treat or food. Vets recommend giving the medication right before feeding.
To give your dog the medication with food, wrap it in something delicious. If the dog is too small to use human formulations, a compounding pharmacy can formulate the medication in a better form and dosage. This will be per the vet’s requests.
Once administered, the drug should take effect immediately, and you should notice relief within one or two hours. The effects of the drug usually go after 24 hours. However, for dogs with liver or renal impairment, the medication will last longer.
If using gabapentin to treat seizures, the administration should not be stopped abruptly. This can result in withdrawal seizures. Always consult your vet before discontinuing gabapentin.
What Are Potential Gabapentin Side Effects in Dogs?
The following are the potential side effects of gabapentin in dogs.
- Sedation
- Wobbliness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy and weakness
- Nausea
- Depression
- Oversleeping
- Increased appetite
- Loss of coordination
- Excitability
- Lightheadedness and shakiness
If you notice any of the side effects above, even if they are minor, let your vet know. Doing so will enable your vet to adjust the dosage accordingly. Before changing the medication frequency or amount, talk to your vet. Do not stop giving gabapentin to your dog. Stopping the medication without consulting your veterinarian may exacerbate the condition.
Can You Use Gabapentin and Trazodone Together for Dogs?
For dogs with situational anxiety, you can administer both gabapentin and trazodone. In fact, you can use both medications together when your dog is fearful of visits to the vet. However, we recommend following the instructions on the label or directions provided by the vet.
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