Gabapentin for dogs: Uses, dosage and side effects

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 15, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Gabapentin is commonly prescribed by veterinarians to treat dogs with chronic pain (such as arthritis, back pain, or nerve pain) or to relieve fear or anxiety associated with stressful events (such as car or plane travel, situations with loud noises [such as fireworks], or visits to the vets or the groomers).

Using gabapentin in dogs is off-label, which means not an approved use. But this is a common way vets prescribe medicines that have been approved in humans, but not animals. Sedation and tiredness are the most common side effects of gabapentin in dogs.

What is gabapentin used for in dogs?

Gabapentin was originally used in humans to control epilepsy, but research has shown it is much more useful at managing nerve pain. The 3 main uses of gabapentin in dogs are chronic pain, stressful situations, and as an add-on treatment for seizures.

Pain management:

Gabapentin is most commonly prescribed to manage chronic pain in dogs. This includes nerve pain, or pain due to arthritis, cancer, or back problems which may make it hard for a dog to sit or walk. It is not usually used for acute pain (pain that comes on quickly), unless it is prescribed alongside other pain-relieving medications such as carprofen or opioids.

Fear or anxiety associated with stressful events:

Gabapentin can help manage anxiety in dogs and vets can prescribe it for situational anxiety or just before a stressful event, such as a vet visit or travel. This use takes advantage of the mild sedative properties of gabapentin and it is commonly used with another sedative called trazodone.

Seizures

Gabapentin has some antiseizure effects but it is usually only used in dogs in addition to other anti-seizure medications if break-through seizures occur.

Gabapentin side effects in dogs

The most common side effects of gabapentin in dogs are:

Drowsiness/sedation
Tiredness
Poor coordination, balance, or difficulty walking.

These side effects can usually be managed by reducing the dosage or starting with a low dosage and increasing it slowly. Most dogs become tolerant of these side effects the longer they have been on gabapentin. Rarely, a dog may be allergic to this medicine and they may have a reaction which is a sign to avoid giving it to your dog in the future.

Xylitol is used to sweeten commercially prepared gabapentin oral suspension and this can be toxic to dogs. Low-to-moderate dosages of oral suspension are unlikely to contain enough xylitol to be problematic for dogs but higher dosages, such as those used for seizures, might. This can be avoided by having liquid formulations compounded rather than using the commercially available oral suspension.

How does gabapentin work in dogs?

Experts aren’t sure exactly how this medicine works to relieve seizures, pain, or anxiety in dogs but it is thought to achieve most of its effects by changing the way calcium enters nerve cells, rather than by acting like GABA, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

This unique way of working makes it useful when combined with other drugs that have a different way of working to control pain, anxiety or seizures.

Gabapentin for Dogs Dosing Information

The dose of gabapentin for dogs is based on a dog's weight.

Dose of Gabapentin for Chronic Pain in Dogs

Initial dose: 5 to 15 mg/kg (2.3 to 6.8 mg/lb) every 12 hours
Titration: Increase the dose gradually to as high as 40 mg/kg (18.1 mg/lb) every 8 to 12 hours if necessary.

Dose of Gabapentin to Reduce Anxiety in Dogs

Short-term dosage:

Up to 30 to 60 mg/kg (13.6 to 27.3 mg/lb) 1 to 2 hours before the event anticipated to trigger anxiety.

Persistent Behavioral Anxiety:

Initial dose: 5 to 30 mg/kg (2.3 to 13.6 mg/lb) up to 3 times daily.
Start at the low end of the dosage range and titrate up to achieve relief but avoid side effects. Dose changes should occur 7 days apart.

Dose of Gabapentin for Seizure Relief (Add-on Therapy)

Initial dose: 10 to 20 mg/kg (4.5 to 9.1 mg/lb) every 8 hours.
The higher dose may be needed in some dogs to control seizures.

Weight-Based Dose Conversion Charts of Gabapentin for Dogs

Use these charts to work out how much gabapentin to give your dog based on the dose your vet has prescribed and your dog's weight.

**Dosage Chart of Gabapentin For Dogs (Low-Dose**)
Dog's weight	Low dose (5 mg/kg)
5 kg	25 mg
7.5 kg	37.5 mg
10 kg	50 mg
12.5 kg	62.5 mg
15 kg	75 mg
17.5 kg	87.5 mg
20 kg	100 mg
25 kg	125 mg
30 kg	150 mg
40 kg	200 mg
50 kg	250 mg
60 kg	300 mg

**Dosage Chart of Gabapentin For Dogs (Medium-Dose**)
Dog's weight	Medium dose (15 mg/kg)
5 kg	75 mg
7.5 kg	112.50 mg
10 kg	150 mg
12.5 kg	187.50 mg
15 kg	225 mg
17.5 kg	262.50 mg
20 kg	300 mg
25 kg	375 mg
30 kg	450 mg
40 kg	600 mg
50 kg	750 mg
60 kg	900 mg

**Dosage Chart of Gabapentin For Dogs (High-Dose)**
Dog's weight	High-dose (30 mg/kg)
5 kg	150 mg
7.5 kg	225 mg
10 kg	300 mg
12.5 kg	375 mg
15 kg	450 mg
17.5 kg	525 mg
20 kg	600 mg
25 kg	750 mg
30 kg	900 mg
40 kg	1200 mg
50 kg	1500 mg
60 kg	1800 mg

How long does gabapentin take to work?

Gabapentin works quickly, and an effect should be noticed one to two hours after administration if using it to relieve anxiety before a stressful event.

You may notice it takes a few days to see a noticeable difference when giving gabapentin to your dog to relieve chronic pain. This is because it is usually started at a low dosage, which is titrated up slowly, which means it may take longer to reach effective blood levels of the drug. While your vet is titrating up the dosage, they may give you other medications to keep your dog comfortable until the gabapentin starts working.

When used to treat seizures, gabapentin may take a few weeks to reduce seizure frequency.

The effects of gabapentin wear off quickly unless the dog has kidney or liver disease. This is why it is usually given 2 to 3 times a day.

How long can a dog stay on gabapentin?

There is no maximum time for a dog to remain on gabapentin. Some older dogs will stay on it for the rest of their life as part of a management plan for arthritis.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gabapentin In Dogs

How does gabapentin make a dog feel?

Gabapentin makes your dog feel a little sleepy and possibly a little uncoordinated initially. They should become tolerant to these effects within a few days, especially if the dosage is started low and titrated up slowly.

Does gabapentin make dogs sleepy?

Yes, gabapentin can make your dog sleepy initially but by starting with a small dose and gradually titrating it upwards, your dog should become tolerant to this effect.

Can gabapentin cause diarrhea or constipation in dogs?

Vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation is not a common side effect of gabapentin unless it is being used at high dosages. If your dog develops any of these side effects, call your veterinarian.

Can gabapentin cause hind leg weakness in dogs?

Hind leg weakness may be a sign of incoordination in dogs, usually associated with too high a dose of gabapentin. If your dog has been on this medicine a long time and this happens, tell your veterinarian. As pets age, their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing this medicine and side effects, such as incoordination may reappear again, especially hind leg weakness. Usually reducing the dosage helps resolve this.

Can I overdose my dog on gabapentin?

Although this medicine is generally well tolerated in dogs, like any medication, you can give too much of it. Always follow your vet’s instructions and never try to increase the dosage yourself without their advice.

Symptoms of a gabapentin overdose in dogs include diarrhea, extreme sleepiness, lethargy, and incoordination; however, an overdose is not usually fatal. Seek veterinary advice immediately.

Do dogs need to be weaned off gabapentin?

If gabapentin is being used to treat seizures in dogs then it should be tapered off slowly over a couple of weeks after long-term use and not abruptly discontinued because it can precipitate seizures.

What can I give my dog instead of gabapentin?

Gabapentin is commonly used to treat nerve pain in dogs but there may be times when a dog does not tolerate it or it no longer effectively treats the pain. Other treatments that may be effective for nerve pain in dogs include:

Pregabalin (Lyrica): this works similarly to this medicine but it lasts longer which means it only needs to be given twice a day and it is more effective at a lower dosage
Amantadine works by blocking NMDA receptors in the spinal cord and may improve your dog’s mobility when used in addition to NSAIDs

Other possible treatments that require more research include amitriptyline and venlafaxine.

References

What are some other oral pain medications that will help my dog? CARE. https://caninearthritis.org/article/what-are-some-other-oral-pain-medications-that-will-help-my-dog/
Loos S. Gabapentin for Dogs: How It Can Help. Pet MD. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/gabapentin-dogs-what-you-need-know
Gabapentin (Neurontin). Veterinary Partner. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952756
Gabapentin. VCA Animal Hospitals. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/gabapentin
Di Cesare F, Negro V, Ravasio G, Villa R, Draghi S, Cagnardi P. Gabapentin: Clinical Use and Pharmacokinetics in Dogs, Cats, and Horses. Animals (Basel). 2023 Jun 20;13(12):2045. doi: 10.3390/ani13122045. PMID: 37370556; PMCID: PMC10295034.

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Is gabapentin safe for cats?

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