Pregabalin for Cats & Dogs in 2025 🐾

Pregabalin (Bonqat® / Lyrica®) is a breakthrough medication in veterinary medicine for managing feline travel anxiety, neuropathic pain, and seizures. With fewer sedating effects than gabapentin, it’s quickly becoming a preferred solution. I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, and here’s how to safely and effectively use pregabalin in pets. 🐶🐱

🧠 What Is Pregabalin?

Originally designed for human nerve pain and seizures, pregabalin is structurally related to GABA—a calming brain chemical. In pets, pregabalin modifies calcium movement in nerves to reduce hyperactivity in the brain and nervous system.

💊 Common Uses in Veterinary Care

• 🐱 Feline transport anxiety (Bonqat® oral solution)
• 🐶 Canine seizures—as part of a multi-drug protocol
• 🐾 Nerve-related pain (neuropathic pain)
• 🧠 Generalized anxiety or phobias (off-label use)

🕒 How Pregabalin Works

Although once thought to mimic GABA, pregabalin actually works by inhibiting calcium influx at nerve endings. This decreases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters—reducing pain signals and anxiety symptoms.

🧪 Formulations & Dosing

• 💉 Available as capsules, tablets, and oral liquid
• ❗ Ensure liquid does not contain xylitol—toxic to pets
• 🧴 Bonqat®: feline-specific oral solution (refrigerate after opening)

Feline Travel Anxiety:

• 🚗 Single dose 1.5 hours before transport
• ⏳ Effects last up to 14 hours
• ✅ May be repeated on 2 consecutive days

Seizure Control & Pain (Dogs):

• 🕓 Typically given every 8–12 hours
• 🧠 May be combined with gabapentin, phenobarbital, or levetiracetam

🥗 Administration Tips

• ✅ Best given on an empty stomach
• ❄️ Refrigerate oral solutions like Bonqat®
• 🍽️ If GI upset occurs, offer with small amount of food

⚠️ Side Effects

Common

• 😴 Mild sedation (less than gabapentin)
• 🤢 Nausea or reduced appetite
• 💩 Soft stools or diarrhea

Rare or Serious

• 📉 Lethargy or weakness from low blood pressure
• 🫀 Use caution in cats with heart, kidney, or liver issues
• 🧪 Elevated liver enzymes (monitoring may be needed)

🔄 Drug Interactions

Pregabalin can increase sedation when combined with:

• 💊 Opioids (e.g. tramadol, buprenorphine)
• 💊 Gabapentin or other anticonvulsants
• 💊 Anxiolytics (e.g. trazodone, alprazolam)

📋 Safety & Cautions

• 🚫 Not tested in cats under 7 months
• 🚫 Avoid in pregnant or nursing animals
• 📉 Do not use in pets with low blood pressure or heart failure
• 🔁 Do not abruptly discontinue after chronic use—taper gradually

🧊 Storage

• 🧴 Bonqat® good for 6 months refrigerated, 1 month unrefrigerated
• 💊 Tablets/capsules: store at room temp, away from moisture

📲 Ask a Vet If...

• 🐱 Your cat vomits or resists the dose
• 🫀 Your pet has a heart or kidney condition
• 💬 You’re combining with other sedatives or anticonvulsants

For guidance on pregabalin alternatives or combination use with seizure and pain regimens, use the Ask A Vet app to connect with a licensed vet 24/7 🩺

✅ Summary

• ✔️ Ideal for cats with travel anxiety and dogs with nerve pain or seizures
• 😴 Less sedating than gabapentin
• 💊 Available as Bonqat®, Lyrica®, and compounded liquids
• 📉 Caution with heart, kidney, and liver disease
• 🧪 Monitor long-term use with vet guidance

Pregabalin offers calming relief without heavy sedation—perfect for modern pet anxiety care 💙

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc