In the United States, the labeled dose of Bonqat, a prescription pregabalin oral solution for cats, is 5 mg/kg (0.1 mL/kg) by mouth once, about 1.5 hours before transportation or a veterinary visit. It may be given on two consecutive days. This is specific to Bonqat and its approved use; it is not a dosing instruction for other pregabalin products or for an individual cat. A veterinarian must decide whether it is appropriate and prescribe it.
What is pregabalin for cats used for?
In the United States, the FDA-approved pregabalin product for cats is Bonqat oral solution. The FDA approved it on November 17, 2023, to alleviate acute anxiety and fear associated with transportation and veterinary visits. It is available only by prescription from a licensed veterinarian. The FDA described it as the first FDA-approved animal drug containing pregabalin. FDA approval announcement
That indication is narrow. The Bonqat label is not a general dosing guide for pregabalin capsules, compounded products, ongoing anxiety, pain, seizures, or other conditions. Pregabalin and gabapentin are different medicines; do not substitute one for the other based on an online dose.
What is the labeled Bonqat dose and when is it given?
The U.S. Bonqat label specifies a single oral dose of 5 mg/kg, equivalent to 0.1 mL/kg, approximately 1.5 hours before transportation or the veterinary visit. The label permits administration on two consecutive days. Bonqat contains 50 mg of pregabalin per mL, and its package includes an oral syringe. U.S. Bonqat prescribing information
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These are label directions for the prescribed product, not a recommendation to calculate or administer a dose without veterinary guidance. Do not use a human prescription, share medication, change the amount or timing, or give extra doses. Ask the prescribing veterinarian for the cat-specific instructions and confirm what to do if a dose is missed, vomited, or difficult to administer.
How well does it work?
In the FDA-reviewed field study, 83 of 108 cats given Bonqat (77%) showed improvement in fear or anxiety over two physical examinations, compared with 46 of 101 cats given placebo (46%). The FDA also reported that a little over half of treated cats had a good-to-excellent response during both transportation and the veterinary visit, compared with about one-third of placebo-treated cats. These outcomes show that response varied; they do not guarantee that a particular cat will benefit. FDA approval announcement
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What side effects can pregabalin cause in cats?
The FDA approval announcement identifies mild sedation, ataxia (unsteady or uncoordinated movement), and lethargy as adverse reactions. In the controlled field study at the labeled 5 mg/kg dose, the label’s adverse-reaction table recorded:
| Reported event | Cats affected | Share of 108 treated cats |
|---|---|---|
| Ataxia | 5 | 4.6% |
| Lethargy | 3 | 2.8% |
| Vomiting | 2 | 1.9% |
| Abnormal proprioception | 1 | Not stated in the label table |
| Muscle tremor | 1 | Not stated in the label table |
| Anorexia | 1 | Not stated in the label table |
| Weight loss | 1 | Not stated in the label table |
These are observed counts from that study, not a complete prediction of what any cat will experience. The label says some cats may have hypothermia, depression, drowsiness, muscle tremors, or ataxia. If a cat has severe, unexpected, or persistent signs, contact the veterinary practice that prescribed the medicine.
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If your cat is drowsy or uncoordinated
The Bonqat label says affected cats should be kept warm and not offered food or water until the effects have worn off, usually within six hours. Follow the prescribing veterinarian’s instructions, particularly if your cat’s condition or symptoms differ from what you were told to expect. U.S. Bonqat prescribing information
Which cats need extra caution?
Before prescribing Bonqat, the veterinarian should know the cat’s health history and every medicine or supplement it receives. The U.S. label advises caution or notes that safety has not been evaluated in several situations:
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- Renal disease: Use caution in cats with pre-existing kidney disease.
- Cardiac disease or hypertension: Use caution because Bonqat may cause bradycardia and reflex hypertension. Safety in cats with these conditions has not been evaluated.
- Severe systemic disorders: Safety has not been evaluated; the label advises caution.
- Other medicines: Safety has not been evaluated with opioids or other sedatives. Do not combine them unless the veterinarian specifically directs it.
- Age and reproductive status: Safety has not been evaluated in cats younger than seven months or in breeding, pregnant, or lactating cats.
Tell the veterinarian about relevant diagnoses and medicines before the first dose. Do not assume a medicine combination is safe because the products were prescribed at different times.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What small studies do—and do not—tell owners
A 2022 pharmacokinetic study examined six healthy laboratory cats given oral pregabalin solution at 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg/kg, including 5 mg/kg on two consecutive days. At 5 mg/kg, the researchers reported a mean half-life of 14.7 hours and mean systemic bioavailability of 94%. A few cats had mild sedation and mildly uncoordinated movements at 7.5 mg/kg. The small study describes drug absorption and elimination in healthy cats; it does not establish a safe individualized regimen or prove safety in cats with illness or unstudied drug combinations. Lamminen et al., 2022
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A separate 2018 study gave a single 4 mg/kg oral dose to six healthy adult research cats; four developed moderate sedation. Its small sample and different dose and formulation context do not provide a home dosing recommendation. Esteban et al., 2018
The 2022 AAFP/ISFM cat-friendly veterinary interaction guidelines discuss pregabalin evidence in the context of transport-related anxiety and feline handling. The cited anxiety evidence was limited; it should not be treated as proof for unrelated uses. 2022 AAFP/ISFM guidelines
Quick Recap
How should owners handle Bonqat safely?
- Use Bonqat only when prescribed for your cat and follow the label and veterinarian’s directions.
- Do not calculate a dose from this article, adapt a human prescription, or use another pregabalin formulation in its place.
- Discuss kidney, heart, blood-pressure, or systemic disease, as well as all other medicines, before giving it.
- Keep the medicine secured and follow the label’s handling precautions. The FDA warns of potential human abuse or diversion; avoid contact with skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and seek medical advice after human exposure. FDA approval announcement
- Contact the prescribing veterinary practice if your cat’s reaction is severe, unexpected, or does not resolve as instructed.
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