Key takeaways
- Gabapentin may be used in humans and dogs. For dogs, it has a few uses including helping manage anxiety.
- The dosage of gabapentin in dogs depends on the weight of the dog. There are some cases where gabapentin may have to be made at a compounding pharmacy to get the correct dosage.
- Like most drugs, gabapentin can cause side effects. An example of a side effect of gabapentin in dogs is tiredness.
Gabapentin is a generic medication that may be used in dogs to help with certain conditions, including chronic pain.
Read on to learn about the uses of gabapentin, what side effects to expect in dogs, as well as how quickly the medication will start to work.
If you have questions about whether gabapentin is right for your dog, talk with your dog’s veterinarian.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about medications for pets. Do not use human medications for pets, or pet medications for humans, as dosages, strengths, and ingredients may be different and can lead to serious harm. Always use medications under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian or doctor.
Gabapentin is used in dogs for chronic pain, specifically nerve-related pain. It can also be used to help with seizure management. But for this use, gabapentin is typically used in combination with other medications.
Gabapentin also can be helpful with relieving anxiety in dogs in certain situations, including:
- Appointments with the veterinarian
- Visiting the groomer
- Traveling by car or plane
- During situations with loud noises, such as fireworks
The more common side effects of gabapentin seen in dogs are sedation, tiredness, and poor balance and difficulty walking.
These side effects are typically temporary and resolve within a few hours. If your dog experiences serious side effects or side effects that are bothersome or don’t go away while taking gabapentin, talk with their veterinarian.
Below are a few questions about gabapentin use in dogs.
The dosage of gabapentin in dogs depends of the dog’s weight. When used for pain management or as an anti-seizure medication, gabapentin is typically given every 8 to 12 hours. For anxiety, gabapentin is typically given about 1 to 2 hours before the stressful event.
Gabapentin may be given with or without food. In some cases, especially for smaller dogs or dogs that have difficulty taking pills, a compounding pharmacy can make gabapentin in an oral liquid form with flavoring safe for dogs.
Talk with your dog’s veterinarian if you have questions about your dog’s gabapentin dosage.
Note: Oral liquid forms of gabapentin that are made for humans contain xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs. Talk with your dog’s veterinarian about the safe forms of gabapentin for your dog.
Gabapentin should start working as soon as your dog takes the medication, but they may not feel the results right away. The peak activity of gabapentin is at about 2 hours after a dose is given by mouth.
If you have questions about whether gabapentin is working for your dog, talk with their veteriarian.
Gabapentin is a generic medication that may be used in dogs. It can be used for pain, seizure management, and anxiety.
Gabapentin can cause side effects in dogs, such as sedation. If you have questions about whether gabapentin is right for your dog, talk with their veterinarian.
Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.