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Partial opioid agonist · For Cats

Simbadol dosage reference for cats (Buprenorphine)

This page's standard weight-based reference is 0.02 mg per kg (0.01 mg per lb), with every 6-12 hours 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
15-30 minutes (transmucosal), 5-15 minutes (injectable)
Duration
6-12 hours (standard), up to 24 hours (Simbadol)
Class
Partial opioid agonist

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.

Buprenorphine (often known by brand names such as Simbadol and Buprenex) is a partial opioid agonist commonly used in veterinary medicine for moderate pain relief, post-surgical pain, oral pain, and trauma pain management. Understanding the correct dosage, administration, and potential side effects of Buprenorphine is critical for your cat’s safety and well-being.

A typical Buprenorphine dose for cats is around 0.02 mg/kg every 6-12 hours, within a usual range of 0.01-0.03 mg/kg. Available forms include injectable and transmucosal (oral mucosal).

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.

Buprenorphine Dosage Calculator for Cats

Enter your cat’s weight below to estimate the Buprenorphine dose from the 0.02 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 Buprenorphine amounts for common cat weights, for quick reference:

Dosage Chart · 02

Simbadol 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) 0.014 mg 0.028 mg 0.042 mg every 6-12 hours
4 lbs (1.8 kg) 0.018 mg 0.036 mg 0.054 mg every 6-12 hours
5 lbs (2.3 kg) 0.023 mg 0.046 mg 0.069 mg every 6-12 hours
6 lbs (2.7 kg) 0.027 mg 0.054 mg 0.081 mg every 6-12 hours
7 lbs (3.2 kg) 0.032 mg 0.064 mg 0.096 mg every 6-12 hours
8 lbs (3.6 kg) 0.036 mg 0.072 mg 0.11 mg every 6-12 hours
9 lbs (4.1 kg) 0.041 mg 0.082 mg 0.12 mg every 6-12 hours
10 lbs (4.5 kg) 0.045 mg 0.090 mg 0.14 mg every 6-12 hours
12 lbs (5.4 kg) 0.054 mg 0.11 mg 0.16 mg every 6-12 hours
14 lbs (6.3 kg) 0.063 mg 0.13 mg 0.19 mg every 6-12 hours
16 lbs (7.3 kg) 0.073 mg 0.15 mg 0.22 mg every 6-12 hours
18 lbs (8.2 kg) 0.082 mg 0.16 mg 0.25 mg every 6-12 hours
20 lbs (9.1 kg) 0.091 mg 0.18 mg 0.27 mg every 6-12 hours
25 lbs (11.3 kg) 0.11 mg 0.23 mg 0.34 mg every 6-12 hours

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

Simbadol 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 Buprenorphine to Your Cat

Buprenorphine is uniquely well-suited for cats because it can be absorbed through the oral mucosa (inside the cheek). For transmucosal dosing, use a syringe to squirt the liquid between the cheek and gum — do NOT let the cat swallow it immediately, as oral absorption through the gut is poor. Hold the head gently and let it absorb for 1-2 minutes. Simbadol is a concentrated injectable given by your vet that provides up to 24 hours of pain relief.

It may interact with other opioids, benzodiazepines, CNS depressants, and MAO inhibitors.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects include sedation, dilated pupils, euphoria or purring, and mild decrease in appetite. More serious side effects can occur, such as respiratory depression, severe sedation or unresponsiveness, hypothermia, and bradycardia (slow heart rate).

Cautions · 12

When Simbadol should be used with caution or avoided

Some cats should not take Simbadol, 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 Simbadol.

  • severe respiratory disease
  • head trauma with increased intracranial pressure
  • known hypersensitivity
  • pregnancy

Interactions · 13

Simbadol drug interactions

Simbadol 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 opioids
benzodiazepines
CNS depressants
MAO inhibitors

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 Simbadol, 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

Why is buprenorphine considered the best pain medication for cats?
Buprenorphine is widely regarded as the gold standard for moderate pain in cats because of its excellent transmucosal absorption (squirted inside the cheek), long duration of action, wide safety margin, and the calm sedation it produces. Cats tolerate it much better than many other opioids, which can cause excitation in felines.
Can I give buprenorphine to my cat at home?
Yes, veterinarians often prescribe buprenorphine for at-home transmucosal administration after surgery or dental procedures. You will receive a small syringe of liquid to squirt inside your cat's cheek. It is a controlled substance, so it must be prescribed and dispensed by a veterinarian.
How long does buprenorphine last in cats?
Standard buprenorphine provides pain relief for 6-12 hours in cats. Simbadol, a concentrated sustained-release formulation, can provide pain relief for up to 24 hours from a single injection given by your veterinarian.
Does buprenorphine make cats act strange?
Buprenorphine commonly causes mild sedation, dilated pupils, and sometimes euphoria (purring, kneading). These effects are normal and expected. Some cats may seem "spaced out" or unusually affectionate. These effects are temporary and generally resolve as the drug wears off.
Is buprenorphine safe for older cats?
Yes, buprenorphine is considered safe for senior cats and is commonly used for pain management in older cats with arthritis, dental disease, or post-surgical pain. Dose adjustments may be made for cats with significant liver or kidney disease. Your vet will determine the appropriate dose.

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 Simbadol. It cannot decide whether this drug, indication, formulation, or schedule is appropriate for an individual animal.

Context in this medication record

Commonly listed uses
moderate pain relief, post-surgical pain, oral pain, trauma pain management
Recorded forms
injectable, transmucosal (oral mucosal)
Reference timing
every 6-12 hours; onset 15-30 minutes (transmucosal), 5-15 minutes (injectable); duration 6-12 hours (standard), up to 24 hours (Simbadol)

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

severe respiratory disease; head trauma with increased intracranial pressure; known hypersensitivity; pregnancy.

Recorded interactions

other opioids; benzodiazepines; CNS depressants; MAO inhibitors.

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.

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 0.02 mg per kg (0.01 mg per lb) of body weight, given every 6-12 hours. 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