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Phenothiazine tranquilizer · For Cats

PromAce dosage reference for cats (Acepromazine)

This page's standard weight-based reference is 0.75 mg per kg (0.34 mg per lb), with as needed recorded as the reference frequency. Use the calculator to see the arithmetic for your cat's weight, then confirm the indication, product, and actual dose with a veterinarian.

Onset
20-45 minutes (oral), 15-30 minutes (injectable)
Duration
4-8 hours
Class
Phenothiazine tranquilizer

Weight-based calculator estimate from the references listed on this page. This page has not been independently DVM-reviewed — see our methodology .

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your veterinarian before giving medication to your pet. Do not use this calculator for emergencies, overdoses, pregnancy, very young animals, very old animals, pets with liver/kidney disease, or pets taking multiple medications.

Each medication page lists the references recorded for its data. The calculator math and editorial presentation are maintained by PetDosageChart; a page is independently DVM-reviewed only when a named reviewer byline appears. See our methodology and limitations.

Acepromazine (often known by brand names such as PromAce and Atravet) is a phenothiazine tranquilizer commonly used in veterinary medicine for pre-anesthetic sedation, travel anxiety, restraint for procedures, and thunderstorm or noise phobia. Understanding the correct dosage, administration, and potential side effects of Acepromazine is critical for your cat’s safety and well-being.

A typical Acepromazine dose for cats is around 0.75 mg/kg as needed, within a usual range of 0.5-1 mg/kg. Available forms include tablet and injectable.

Calculator Warning: Use this only as an educational estimate. Your veterinarian may prescribe a different dose based on your pet’s condition, age, weight, other medications, and medical history.

Acepromazine Dosage Calculator for Cats

Enter your cat’s weight below to estimate the Acepromazine dose from the 0.75 mg/kg guideline. Your veterinarian may adjust it for your cat’s age, condition, and other medications, so treat the result as an educational starting point, not a prescription.

Dosage Calculator · 01

Enter your cat's weight

Quick Dosage Chart

Typical Acepromazine amounts for common cat weights, for quick reference:

Dosage Chart · 02

PromAce weight-based reference chart for cats

Scroll sideways to see full table

Weight Lower Reference Standard Reference Upper Reference Frequency
3 lbs (1.4 kg) 0.70 mg 1.0 mg 1.4 mg as needed
4 lbs (1.8 kg) 0.90 mg 1.4 mg 1.8 mg as needed
5 lbs (2.3 kg) 1.1 mg 1.7 mg 2.3 mg as needed
6 lbs (2.7 kg) 1.4 mg 2.0 mg 2.7 mg as needed
7 lbs (3.2 kg) 1.6 mg 2.4 mg 3.2 mg as needed
8 lbs (3.6 kg) 1.8 mg 2.7 mg 3.6 mg as needed
9 lbs (4.1 kg) 2.0 mg 3.1 mg 4.1 mg as needed
10 lbs (4.5 kg) 2.3 mg 3.4 mg 4.5 mg as needed
12 lbs (5.4 kg) 2.7 mg 4.1 mg 5.4 mg as needed
14 lbs (6.3 kg) 3.1 mg 4.7 mg 6.3 mg as needed
16 lbs (7.3 kg) 3.6 mg 5.5 mg 7.3 mg as needed
18 lbs (8.2 kg) 4.1 mg 6.1 mg 8.2 mg (10mg tablet) as needed
20 lbs (9.1 kg) 4.5 mg 6.8 mg 9.1 mg (10mg tablet) as needed
25 lbs (11.3 kg) 5.7 mg 8.5 mg (10mg tablet) 11.3 mg (10mg tablet) as needed

Parenthetical tablet amounts are arithmetic comparisons only. They do not account for scoring, release type, concentration, product labeling, or whether this medication is appropriate for an individual animal.

By Weight

PromAce reference by cat weight

Choose a common weight to open its optional reference page. Use the main medication calculator for a different exact weight.

Common-weight pages are convenience views of the same educational reference, not separate medical recommendations.

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How to Give Acepromazine to Your Cat

Acepromazine is typically used on an as-needed basis for sedation, not as a daily medication. Give the tablet 30-60 minutes before the stressful event (travel, vet visit). It can be hidden in food or a pill pocket. Important: Acepromazine does NOT provide pain relief — it only makes the cat appear calm while they may still experience fear and pain. Cats generally require lower doses than dogs. Keep the cat in a warm, quiet environment, as it lowers body temperature and blood pressure.

It is generally recommended to give Acepromazine with food to help reduce stomach upset. It may interact with other CNS depressants, opioids (enhanced sedation), antihypertensive drugs, and organophosphate insecticides.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects include sedation, low blood pressure, third eyelid protrusion, and decreased body temperature. More serious side effects can occur, such as severe hypotension (dangerously low blood pressure), paradoxical excitation, seizures (in epileptic animals), and hypothermia.

Cautions · 12

When PromAce should be used with caution or avoided

Some cats should not take PromAce, or need a different dose and closer monitoring. Tell your veterinarian about your pet's full health history and every other medication or supplement they take before giving PromAce.

  • seizure history
  • severe heart disease
  • dehydration or shock
  • pregnancy
  • liver disease

Interactions · 13

PromAce drug interactions

PromAce can interact with other drugs. This list is not complete — always give your veterinarian a full list of your cat's medications and supplements.

other CNS depressants
opioids (enhanced sedation)
antihypertensive drugs
organophosphate insecticides

Calculator Limits · 14

When not to use this calculator

This calculator gives a general educational estimate for a healthy adult cat at a known weight. Do not rely on it in these situations — talk to your veterinarian instead:

  • In an emergency, or after accidental ingestion or a suspected overdose
  • For pregnant or nursing pets
  • For very young or very old cats
  • For pets with liver disease, kidney disease, or another chronic illness
  • For pets taking several medications at once
  • When you are not sure of your cat's current, accurate weight
  • For combination products that contain additional active ingredients

Overdose · 15

Suspected overdose: what to do

If you think your cat had too much PromAce, or swallowed any medication by accident, act right away. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

  • Call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency animal hospital.
  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
  • Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661

A consultation fee may apply to the poison hotlines. Have the medication packaging ready, and note how much your pet may have taken and when. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to.

When to Call the Vet

If your cat experiences any of the following, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately:

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked · 07

Questions about this medication

Is acepromazine safe for cats?
Acepromazine is generally safe for healthy cats at appropriate doses, but it is being used less frequently as better alternatives become available (gabapentin for travel/vet visit anxiety). It does not relieve pain or anxiety — it only sedates. Cats with heart disease, seizure disorders, or liver problems should not receive it.
Why do vets not recommend acepromazine as much anymore?
Many veterinarians now prefer gabapentin for pre-visit sedation in cats because it provides actual anxiolysis (anti-anxiety effect) rather than just sedation. Acepromazine makes cats appear calm but does not reduce their perception of fear or pain. Modern veterinary practice increasingly favors fear-free approaches with true anti-anxiety medications.
How long does acepromazine last in cats?
Effects typically last 4-8 hours in cats, though some cats may seem slightly sedated for up to 12 hours. Onset is 20-45 minutes when given orally. Keep your cat warm and in a quiet environment during recovery, as the drug lowers body temperature and blood pressure.
Can I give acepromazine to my cat for car travel?
While acepromazine has been traditionally used for travel sedation, gabapentin (100-200 mg given 2-3 hours before travel) is now the preferred option for most cats. If acepromazine is used, give a test dose at home before travel day to assess your cat's response. Never use it for the first time right before a long trip.
Does acepromazine help with cat aggression?
Acepromazine can make an aggressive cat appear calmer but does not address the underlying fear or aggression. The cat may still bite or scratch without warning because the drug sedates without reducing the emotional response. For aggressive cats requiring veterinary visits, gabapentin combined with other fear-free techniques is a safer and more effective approach.

Use This Guide Safely · 08

What weight alone cannot tell you

The calculator performs one narrow job: it multiplies your cat's weight by the lower, standard, and upper mg/kg values recorded for PromAce. It cannot decide whether this drug, indication, formulation, or schedule is appropriate for an individual animal.

Context in this medication record

Commonly listed uses
pre-anesthetic sedation, travel anxiety, restraint for procedures, thunderstorm or noise phobia
Recorded forms
tablet, injectable
Reference timing
as needed; onset 20-45 minutes (oral), 15-30 minutes (injectable); duration 4-8 hours

Individual checks a calculator cannot perform

  • Confirm the diagnosis and the reason this medication is being considered.
  • Match the exact product, concentration, route, and whether a tablet may be split.
  • Account for age, pregnancy, organ function, genetics, allergies, and prior reactions.
  • Review every prescription, over-the-counter product, and supplement your pet takes.

Recorded cautions

seizure history; severe heart disease; dehydration or shock; pregnancy; liver disease.

Recorded interactions

other CNS depressants; opioids (enhanced sedation); antihypertensive drugs; organophosphate insecticides.

These lists reproduce the structured record used by this page and may not be exhaustive. Show your veterinarian the product label and your cat's complete medication list before acting on a number.

For Dogs

Looking for PromAce dosage for dogs?

View the PromAce dosage chart and calculator for dogs.

Related · 08

Related medications for cats

Sources · 09

Sources & references

The structured medication record behind this page names the references below. The links open the publisher or official resource; they do not turn this page into a prescription for an individual animal.

Source names are shown at the record level; passage-level page and label citations are still being added. Read our methodology and limitations.

Transparency · 11

How this page was made

This page's structured medication record includes Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook among its source names. PetDosageChart applies the record's mg/kg values to the entered weight and presents the arithmetic result. A source record is not the same as an individualized prescription or an independent clinical review.

Sources cited
  • Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
  • Merck Veterinary Manual
Calculator formula
Doses scale linearly from a standard basis of 0.75 mg per kg (0.34 mg per lb) of body weight, given as needed. The calculator multiplies that basis by your cat's weight and shows an arithmetic comparison with recorded tablet sizes. That comparison does not determine whether a tablet is scored, splittable, or appropriate for your pet.
Editorial owner
Prepared and maintained by the PetDosageChart editorial team, a software-led publisher and not a veterinary practice.
DVM review status
Not independently DVM-reviewed. A named reviewer and review date appear here only after a confirmed review.

More on our methodology and editorial process — how we source, calculate, and review cats dosage data.

Safety · 10

More resources