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PetDosageChart

Antibiotic (Tetracycline) · For Cats

How much Vibramycin (Doxycycline) can I give my cat?

Standard Vibramycin dose for cats is 5 mg per kg (2.27 mg per lb), given every 12-24 hours. Use the calculator below for your cat's exact weight, or jump to the weight-by-weight chart.

Onset
1-2 hours
Duration
12-24 hours
Class
Antibiotic (Tetracycline)

Calculator estimate from Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook. Not yet vet-reviewed — see our methodology .

This dosage information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your veterinarian before giving any medication to your pet. Dosages may vary based on your pet's health conditions, other medications, and individual factors.

Content reviewed by licensed veterinarians. Sourced from Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook and the Merck Veterinary Manual.

Dosage Calculator · 01

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By Weight

Vibramycin dose by cat weight

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Dosage Chart · 02

Vibramycin dosage for cats by weight

Scroll sideways to see full table

Weight Low Dose Standard Max Safe Frequency
3 lbs (1.4 kg) 7mg 7mg 14mg every 12-24 hours
4 lbs (1.8 kg) 9mg 9mg 18mg every 12-24 hours
5 lbs (2.3 kg) 11.5mg 11.5mg 23mg (25mg tablet) every 12-24 hours
6 lbs (2.7 kg) 13.5mg 13.5mg 27mg (25mg tablet) every 12-24 hours
7 lbs (3.2 kg) 16mg 16mg 32mg every 12-24 hours
8 lbs (3.6 kg) 18mg 18mg 36mg every 12-24 hours
9 lbs (4.1 kg) 20.5mg (25mg tablet) 20.5mg (25mg tablet) 41mg every 12-24 hours
10 lbs (4.5 kg) 22.5mg (25mg tablet) 22.5mg (25mg tablet) 45mg (2 × 25mg) every 12-24 hours
12 lbs (5.4 kg) 27mg (25mg tablet) 27mg (25mg tablet) 54mg (2 × 25mg) every 12-24 hours
14 lbs (6.3 kg) 31.5mg 31.5mg 63mg every 12-24 hours
16 lbs (7.3 kg) 36.5mg 36.5mg 73mg (3 × 25mg) every 12-24 hours
18 lbs (8.2 kg) 41mg 41mg 82mg every 12-24 hours
20 lbs (9.1 kg) 45.5mg (2 × 25mg) 45.5mg (2 × 25mg) 91mg every 12-24 hours
25 lbs (11.3 kg) 56.5mg 56.5mg 113mg every 12-24 hours

Common Uses · 03

What is Vibramycin (Doxycycline) used for in cats?

upper respiratory infections Mycoplasma Chlamydophila Bartonella tick-borne diseases

Administration · 04

How to give Vibramycin to your cat

CRITICAL: Never dry-pill doxycycline to cats. Doxycycline tablets can lodge in the esophagus and cause severe esophageal strictures (narrowing) that require surgery. ALWAYS follow doxycycline with at least 6 ml of water by syringe or give with a large amount of wet food. A liquid compounded formulation is the safest option for cats.

Available Forms

tablet, capsule, liquid

Give with Food?

Yes — give with food

Side Effects · 05

Side effects of Vibramycin in cats

Common side effects

nausea
vomiting
decreased appetite
esophageal irritation

Serious side effects — call your vet

  • esophageal stricture
  • severe esophagitis
  • liver toxicity
  • tooth discoloration (kittens)

Emergency · 06

When to call the vet

Call your vet immediately if your cat shows any of these signs:

  • Difficulty swallowing, gagging, or excessive drooling (may indicate esophageal damage)
  • Refusal to eat (may indicate esophageal pain)
  • Vomiting after every dose
  • No improvement after 3-5 days
  • Regurgitation of food

For Dogs

Looking for Vibramycin dosage for dogs?

View the Vibramycin dosage chart and calculator for dogs.

Related · 08

Related medications for cats

Sources · 09

Sources & references

The dosage information on this page is compiled from the following veterinary and pharmaceutical references:

  • Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — the standard veterinary pharmacology reference used by veterinarians worldwide.
  • Merck Veterinary Manual — a trusted, peer-reviewed resource for veterinary professionals and pet owners.
  • DailyMed (FDA Drug Labels) — official FDA-approved drug labeling and prescribing information for Doxycycline.

Read more about our methodology and how we calculate dosages.

Transparency · 11

How this page was made

Sourced from Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, the reference used in US vet schools. Every dose, frequency, and tablet count on this page is generated from that data, then checked against the published references below.

Sources cited
  • Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
  • Merck Veterinary Manual
Calculator formula
Doses scale linearly from a standard basis of 5 mg per kg (2.27 mg per lb) of body weight, given every 12-24 hours. The calculator multiplies that basis by your cat's weight and rounds to the closest available tablet size.
Last-reviewed status
Automated from Plumb’s, not yet vet-reviewed.

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

Frequently Asked · 07

Questions about this medication

Is doxycycline safe for cats?
Doxycycline is safe and commonly prescribed for cats, BUT it must be given correctly. The critical safety rule is to NEVER give doxycycline as a dry pill — always follow with water (6+ ml) or give with wet food. Dry-pilling can cause esophageal strictures, a serious condition requiring surgery.
Why is doxycycline dangerous to dry-pill in cats?
Doxycycline is highly acidic and can cause severe chemical burns to the esophageal lining if it lodges there. Cats have a relatively narrow esophagus, and pills can easily get stuck. The resulting esophageal stricture can make it permanently difficult for the cat to swallow food.
How much doxycycline do I give my cat?
The standard dose is 5 mg per kilogram of body weight, given once or twice daily. For an average 10 lb (4.5 kg) cat, this is approximately 22-25 mg per dose. Ask your vet about compounded liquid formulations for easier and safer administration.
What does doxycycline treat in cats?
Doxycycline is the first-line treatment for many feline infections including Mycoplasma (a common cause of upper respiratory infections), Chlamydophila (causing conjunctivitis), Bartonella (cat scratch disease), and tick-borne diseases. It is also used for some skin and urinary tract infections.

Safety · 10

More resources