How to Give Gabapentin to Cats with Cancer

Last Updated: March 29, 2019 References Approved

Gabapentin is a non-opioid pain reliever sometimes prescribed for cats with chronic pain from cancer and cancer treatments. Consult with your veterinarian about the drug and make sure to get a compounded version of the medication, which is not suitable for cats in the form it is given to humans. Administer the drug (in pill or liquid form) using gentle restraint and reward, or hide it in food or treats if necessary. Monitor your cat’s reaction to the drug and pain level. If you have to stop administering Gabapentin to your cat, taper off of it over a period of two to three weeks.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Giving Your Cat Liquid Gabapentin

1
Prepare the medication. Measure out the appropriate dose of Gabapentin into an oral syringe. Place the medication next to the spot where you will be administering it. A counter top or table are good options, as they will allow you to give your cat the liquid without having to bend down to their level.^{[1]
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2
Get your cat ready for the dosage. Bring your cat to the spot where you will administer the Gabapentin. Pet your cat to calm it down. If you suspect that your cat will put up a fight, wrap a thick towel around it, which will restrict movement and reduce the cat’s anxiety.^{[2]
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3
Give your cat the medication. Place your cat in front of you with it facing away from you, with its hindquarters leaning against you. Gently tilt you cat’s head upwards and position the end of the syringe at the back corner of its mouth. Dispense the medication into the space between your cat’s cheek and gums.^{[3]
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4
Reward your cat. Immediately reward your cat by petting it and feeding it a treat. If your cat is wrapped in a towel, unwrap it immediately and feed it another treat. Pet and praise your cat to create positive associations with the process, which will occur regularly.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Administering Gabapentin in Pill Form

1
Position your cat. Hold your cat against you, facing away from you (wrapped in a towel to restrict its movement, if necessary). With one hand, steady your cat’s head and tilt it upwards. Make sure that your cat stays leaned up against you. ^{[5]
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2
Insert the pill into your cat’s mouth. Using your other hand, grasp a Gabapentin pill between your thumb and forefinger. Use your middle finger to open your cat’s mouth as gently as possible and insert the pill. Slide the pill down your cat’s tongue, as far backwards as you can go.^{[6]
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3
Hold your cat’s mouth closed. Remove your finger and close your cat’s mouth gently. Hold your cat’s mouth closed until it swallows. If this does not occur after a few seconds, gently rub your cat’s throat under its chin to encourage swallowing.^{[7]
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4
Use a pill-giver. If you want to avoid putting your fingers in your cat’s mouth, ask your veterinarian if they can provide you with a pill-giver. This syringe-like device uses a soft nozzle to plunge the pill toward the back of your cat’s mouth, and can be used in the same way you would administer liquid medication with a syringe. After inserting a pill with the pill-giver, gently close your cat’s mouth and encourage it to swallow the pill.^{[8]
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5
Use the three treat trick. Purchase cat treats that are either hollow or soft enough to be molded around a pill. Start by giving your cat one plain treat, then immediately feed it a treat with a pill hidden inside of it. Have a third treat ready at the same time so that your cat consumes the second treat quickly to get to the third.^{[9]
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6
Ask your veterinarian of you can divide the pills. If your cat resists swallowing full size pills, ask your veterinarian if cutting them into smaller pieces is an option. Use a pill cutter to evenly divide the Gabapentin pills into smaller pill fragments, which can be hidden in treats more easily. Very small pill fragments can also be hidden in a small amount of canned food.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Monitoring Your Cat’s Reaction

1
Look for side effects. The most common side effects in cats that are given Gabapentin are mild sedation and ataxia (i.e. loss of control of bodily movements). Call your veterinarian if you are concerned that your cat’s symptoms may be too severe or dangerous (e.g. putting your cat at risk for injury). Your cat’s cancer, cancer treatments, or other medications may also be causing side effects, which your veterinarian will best be able to assess.^{[11]
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- Usually common side effects like poor coordination are temporary and will improve after a few days.
2
Observe your cat’s pain level. Monitor your cat while it is on Gabapentin to assess the drug’s effectiveness in treating pain. If your pet is experiencing intense pain as a result of its cancer or cancer treatment, it may require a more intense pain reliever (e.g. a strong opioid drug like morphine). Call your vet if your cat’s discomfort does not seem to improve after several days on Gabapentin.^{[12]
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3
Stop providing the medication gradually, if necessary. If you choose to stop giving your cat Gabapentin, discontinue it gradually over a period of two to three weeks. Stopping the medication abruptly can cause rebound pain or seizures, in some cases. If your cat is on a higher dosage of Gabapentin, ask your veterinarian about switching to a lower dose temporarily to taper off the medication, or administer it less frequently (e.g. once a day instead of every 12 hours).^{[13]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Deciding on Gabapentin as a Pain Reliever

1
Assess your cat’s pain. If your cat is suffering from cancer, it may experience pain as a result of the disease as well as the treatments for it (e.g. chemotherapy, radiation), which you should convey to your veterinarian. The level of pain that your cat experiences may vary due to factors such as its age, what stage the disease is in, where the cancer is located, and your cat’s personal pain tolerance. While assessing your pet’s comfort level can be a difficult task, there are many probable indicators of pain such as:^{[14]
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- Decrease in energy
- Reclusiveness
- Reduced appetite
- Negative reaction to touch
- Increased vocalization (e.g. whining or hissing)
2
Consult your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will tell you if Gabapentin is a good pain relief option for your cat during cancer treatment, taking into account its other symptoms and other medications your cat may be taking. The drug can be prescribed by veterinarians for chronic pain treatment, control of seizures or for easing nerve associated pains. Tell your veterinarian if your pet is receiving antacids or narcotics for pain (e.g. morphine or hydrocodone), or if your pet suffers kidney impairment.^{[15]
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- However, an advantage of Gabapentin is that it can be safely used in combination with certain other pain relieving medications.
3
Make sure that you get a compounded form of the drug. Gabapentin is a drug designed for pain relief and seizure control in humans, and is not approved by the FDA for use in pets. While veterinarians can prescribe this medication for cats, the human version is not safe because it contains xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to pets. Make sure that you receive Gabapentin in a form compounded especially for cats (in either liquid or pill form) before administering the drug.
- Never administer any form of Gabapentin to your cat that has not been approved and prescribed by your veterinarian.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How much gabapentin do you give a cat?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

The starting dose is around 5 mg per 1 kg body weight. This can be given twice or three times daily. However, the dose range is wide and for sedative purposes, the upper end of 20 mg per 1 kg body weight is occasionally used.
Question

What are the side effects of gabapentin in cats?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Overall, gabapentin is well-tolerated in cats. The main side effects are those of sedation, such as grogginess, lethargy, and walking as if drunk. Sometimes the sedatory effects can be useful, such as helping a highly anxious cat to stay calm at the vet clinic.
Question

How can I get my cat to take gabapentin?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Pilling a cat is not easy, but rouses such as covering the pill in butter or hiding it in tasty food can help. Alternatively, speak to a vet about supplying the liquid form of gabapentin, which is easier to administer by gently syringing it into the cat's mouth.