NK1 receptor antagonist / Antiemetic · For Cats

Cerenia dosage reference for cats (Maropitant)

This page's standard weight-based reference is 1 mg per kg (0.45 mg per lb), with once daily 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: 1-2 hours
Duration: 24 hours
Class: NK1 receptor antagonist / Antiemetic

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.

Sources and review process

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.

Maropitant (often known by brand names such as Cerenia) is an NK1 receptor antagonist / antiemetic used in veterinary medicine for vomiting and nausea. Understanding the correct dosage, administration, and potential side effects of Maropitant is critical for your cat’s safety and well-being.

In cats, the FDA-approved form is Cerenia Injectable Solution: 1 mg/kg under the skin or into a vein once daily for up to 5 consecutive days, for cats 4 months of age and older, given by your veterinary team. Cerenia tablets are approved only for dogs; when a veterinarian prescribes them for a cat, that is extra-label use, and the amount and schedule come from your vet.

Calculator Warning: The calculator shows the injectable label amount (1 mg/kg) that your veterinary team gives. It is not instructions for splitting dog tablets at home. 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.

What the source establishes

The injectable is indicated for the treatment of vomiting in cats. For cats 4 months of age and older, the label dose is 1 mg/kg (0.1 mL/kg) intravenously over 1–2 minutes or subcutaneously, once daily for up to 5 consecutive days.

This is the amount the calculator shows, given by the veterinary team. It does not establish an oral tablet dose for cats.

CERENIA (maropitant citrate) Injectable Solution FDA-approved label (Zoetis, DailyMed) — Indications; Dosage and Administration, Cats (DailyMed update August 2025).

The tablets (16, 24, 60 and 160 mg) are labeled "for oral use in dogs only", for prevention of acute vomiting and of vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs.

Because the tablet label covers dogs only, tablet use in cats is extra-label and only as a veterinarian directs. This page lists no tablet sizes for cats.

CERENIA (maropitant citrate) Tablets FDA-approved label (Zoetis, DailyMed) — Indications; Dosage and Administration.

Cerenia (Maropitant) Dosage Calculator for Cats

Enter your cat’s weight below to see the injectable label amount from the 1 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

Which product this applies to: This is the Cerenia injection label amount for cats (1 mg/kg under the skin or into a vein once daily, up to 5 days, cats 4 months and older), given by your veterinary team. Cerenia tablets are labeled for dogs only; tablet use in cats is extra-label and only as your veterinarian directs.

Cerenia Dosage Reference Chart by Weight

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

Dosage Chart · 02

Cerenia weight-based reference chart for cats

Scroll sideways to see full table

Cerenia weight-based reference chart. Educational arithmetic, not a prescription.
Weight	Lower Reference	Standard Reference	Upper Reference	Frequency
3 lbs (1.4 kg)	1.4 mg	1.4 mg	1.4 mg	once daily
4 lbs (1.8 kg)	1.8 mg	1.8 mg	1.8 mg	once daily
5 lbs (2.3 kg)	2.3 mg	2.3 mg	2.3 mg	once daily
6 lbs (2.7 kg)	2.7 mg	2.7 mg	2.7 mg	once daily
7 lbs (3.2 kg)	3.2 mg	3.2 mg	3.2 mg	once daily
8 lbs (3.6 kg)	3.6 mg	3.6 mg	3.6 mg	once daily
9 lbs (4.1 kg)	4.1 mg	4.1 mg	4.1 mg	once daily
10 lbs (4.5 kg)	4.5 mg	4.5 mg	4.5 mg	once daily
12 lbs (5.4 kg)	5.4 mg	5.4 mg	5.4 mg	once daily
14 lbs (6.3 kg)	6.3 mg	6.3 mg	6.3 mg	once daily
16 lbs (7.3 kg)	7.3 mg	7.3 mg	7.3 mg	once daily
18 lbs (8.2 kg)	8.2 mg	8.2 mg	8.2 mg	once daily
20 lbs (9.1 kg)	9.1 mg	9.1 mg	9.1 mg	once daily
25 lbs (11.3 kg)	11.3 mg	11.3 mg	11.3 mg	once daily

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

Cerenia 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 Maropitant to Your Cat

In cats, the FDA-approved form of Cerenia is the injection: 1 mg/kg under the skin or into a vein once daily for up to 5 days, given by your veterinary team. Cerenia tablets are approved only for dogs; some veterinarians prescribe them extra-label for cats, and in that case give exactly the tablet amount and schedule your vet directs, hidden in a small amount of food or with a pill gun. Do not split or give dog tablets to a cat on your own. Cerenia is prescription-only.

It may interact with other antiemetics, drugs highly bound to plasma proteins, and NSAIDs.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects include drooling, lethargy, and decreased appetite. More serious side effects can occur, such as pain at injection site, severe lethargy, and allergic reaction.

Cautions · 12

When Cerenia should be used with caution or avoided

Some cats should not take Cerenia, 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 Cerenia.

kittens under 4 months of age (injectable label)
known hypersensitivity
GI obstruction (may mask symptoms)

Interactions · 13

Cerenia drug interactions

Cerenia 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 antiemetics

drugs highly bound to plasma proteins

NSAIDs

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 Cerenia, 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:

Vomiting continues despite Cerenia
Blood in vomit
Severe lethargy or not responding to stimuli
Abdominal pain or bloating
Not eating or drinking for more than 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked · 07

Questions about this medication

Is Cerenia safe for cats?

Cerenia Injectable Solution is FDA-approved to treat vomiting in cats 4 months of age and older. Cerenia tablets are approved only for dogs, so tablet use in cats is extra-label and should happen only when your veterinarian directs it.

How much Cerenia can I give my cat?

The injectable label dose for cats is 1 mg per kilogram of body weight once daily for up to 5 days, given by your veterinary team. For a 10 lb (4.5 kg) cat, that is about 4.5 mg. There is no FDA-approved tablet dose for cats; if your vet prescribes tablets, give only the amount they direct.

Can I give my cat Cerenia for car sickness?

Motion sickness is a labeled use of Cerenia tablets in dogs only. In cats it is extra-label, so ask your veterinarian whether it suits your cat and follow their exact amount and timing.

How long can a cat take Cerenia?

The injectable label allows once-daily treatment for up to 5 consecutive days for vomiting. For longer-term use, your vet will want to determine and treat the underlying cause of vomiting rather than relying on ongoing anti-nausea medication.

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

Context in this medication record

Commonly listed uses: vomiting (the labeled feline use, by injection), nausea, motion sickness (extra-label in cats)
Recorded forms: injectable (labeled for cats; given at the clinic), tablet (labeled for dogs; extra-label in cats, vet-directed only)
Reference timing: once daily; onset 1-2 hours; duration 24 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

kittens under 4 months of age (injectable label); known hypersensitivity; GI obstruction (may mask symptoms).

Recorded interactions

other antiemetics; drugs highly bound to plasma proteins; NSAIDs.

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.

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.

CERENIA (maropitant citrate) Injectable Solution FDA-approved label (Zoetis, DailyMed)
Indications; Dosage and Administration, Cats (DailyMed update August 2025). Supports the specific claim described above; it is not a review of the entire page.
CERENIA (maropitant citrate) Tablets FDA-approved label (Zoetis, DailyMed)
Indications; Dosage and Administration. Supports the specific claim described above; it is not a review of the entire page.
Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — listed in this medication's source record.
Merck Veterinary Manual — listed in this medication's source record.
DailyMed label search for Maropitant — check current product and formulation labels; some veterinary uses may be off-label.

Specific citations above support the identified claims. Other source names remain record-level references; further claim review is still needed. 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 1 mg per kg (0.45 mg per lb) of body weight, given once daily. 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

Pet Medication Safety Hub — What's safe, what's dangerous, and emergency signs
How we calculate dosages — Our sources, math, and review process
Printable emergency checklist — One-page reference for your fridge or first aid kit