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Fluoroquinolone antibiotic · For Cats

Enrofloxacin dosage reference for cats (Baytril)

This page's standard weight-based reference is 5 mg per kg (2.27 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
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic

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.

Enrofloxacin (often known by brand names such as Baytril) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic commonly used in veterinary medicine for bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, respiratory infections, and mycoplasma infections. Understanding the correct dosage, administration, and potential side effects of Enrofloxacin is critical for your cat’s safety and well-being.

A typical Enrofloxacin dose for cats is around 5 mg/kg once daily. Available forms include tablet, injectable, and liquid.

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.

Enrofloxacin Dosage Calculator for Cats

Enter your cat’s weight below to estimate the Enrofloxacin dose from the 5 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 Enrofloxacin amounts for common cat weights, for quick reference:

Dosage Chart · 02

Baytril 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) 7.0 mg 7.0 mg 7.0 mg once daily
4 lbs (1.8 kg) 9.0 mg 9.0 mg 9.0 mg once daily
5 lbs (2.3 kg) 11.5 mg 11.5 mg 11.5 mg once daily
6 lbs (2.7 kg) 13.5 mg 13.5 mg 13.5 mg once daily
7 lbs (3.2 kg) 16.0 mg 16.0 mg 16.0 mg once daily
8 lbs (3.6 kg) 18.0 mg (22.7mg tablet) 18.0 mg (22.7mg tablet) 18.0 mg (22.7mg tablet) once daily
9 lbs (4.1 kg) 20.5 mg (22.7mg tablet) 20.5 mg (22.7mg tablet) 20.5 mg (22.7mg tablet) once daily
10 lbs (4.5 kg) 22.5 mg (22.7mg tablet) 22.5 mg (22.7mg tablet) 22.5 mg (22.7mg tablet) once daily
12 lbs (5.4 kg) 27.0 mg (22.7mg tablet) 27.0 mg (22.7mg tablet) 27.0 mg (22.7mg tablet) once daily
14 lbs (6.3 kg) 31.5 mg 31.5 mg 31.5 mg once daily
16 lbs (7.3 kg) 36.5 mg 36.5 mg 36.5 mg once daily
18 lbs (8.2 kg) 41.0 mg (2 × 22.7mg) 41.0 mg (2 × 22.7mg) 41.0 mg (2 × 22.7mg) once daily
20 lbs (9.1 kg) 45.5 mg (2 × 22.7mg) 45.5 mg (2 × 22.7mg) 45.5 mg (2 × 22.7mg) once daily
25 lbs (11.3 kg) 56.5 mg 56.5 mg 56.5 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

Baytril 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 Enrofloxacin to Your Cat

CRITICAL: Never exceed 5 mg/kg per day in cats — higher doses have been definitively linked to irreversible retinal degeneration causing permanent blindness. Give the tablet with food to reduce GI upset and mask the bitter taste. Baytril tablets are very bitter, so avoid crushing them. A pill gun or pill pocket can help. Separate administration from antacids or sucralfate by at least 2 hours, as these reduce absorption.

It is generally recommended to give Enrofloxacin with food to help reduce stomach upset. It may interact with antacids and sucralfate (reduce absorption), theophylline, cyclosporine, and NSAIDs.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects include GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea), decreased appetite, mild lethargy, and drooling from bitter taste. More serious side effects can occur, such as irreversible retinal degeneration and blindness, seizures, cartilage damage in young cats, and severe allergic reaction.

Cautions · 12

When Baytril should be used with caution or avoided

Some cats should not take Baytril, 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 Baytril.

  • cats under 1 year of age (cartilage damage)
  • known retinal disease
  • seizure disorders
  • pregnancy

Interactions · 13

Baytril drug interactions

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

antacids and sucralfate (reduce absorption)
theophylline
cyclosporine
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 Baytril, 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

Can Baytril cause blindness in cats?
Yes, this is the most critical safety concern with enrofloxacin in cats. Doses exceeding 5 mg/kg per day have been associated with irreversible retinal degeneration leading to permanent blindness. This effect is unique to cats and is dose-dependent. At the recommended 5 mg/kg dose, the risk is very low, but cats should be monitored for any vision changes during treatment.
Why is Baytril dose-limited in cats but not dogs?
Cats have a unique susceptibility to enrofloxacin-induced retinal toxicity that is not seen in dogs. The exact mechanism involves accumulation of the drug in the retinal tissue of cats. Dogs can safely receive higher doses (5-20 mg/kg), but cats must never exceed 5 mg/kg per day. This is one of the most important species-specific drug safety differences in veterinary medicine.
How long should a cat take Baytril?
Typical treatment courses are 7-14 days, depending on the type and severity of infection. Some chronic infections may require longer courses. Always complete the full prescribed course even if your cat appears better, as stopping early can lead to antibiotic resistance.
Can I give Baytril to a kitten?
Enrofloxacin is not recommended for kittens under 1 year of age because fluoroquinolones can damage developing cartilage and joints in growing animals. Your vet will choose a safer alternative antibiotic for young cats.
What should I do if my cat vomits after taking Baytril?
Baytril is very bitter and commonly causes GI upset in cats. Give it with food to reduce nausea. If vomiting persists, contact your vet — they may switch to the injectable form or prescribe an alternative antibiotic. Do not give a second dose if your cat vomits immediately after, as overdosing is dangerous in cats.

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

Context in this medication record

Commonly listed uses
bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, respiratory infections, mycoplasma infections
Recorded forms
tablet, injectable, liquid
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

cats under 1 year of age (cartilage damage); known retinal disease; seizure disorders; pregnancy.

Recorded interactions

antacids and sucralfate (reduce absorption); theophylline; cyclosporine; 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.

For Dogs

Looking for Enrofloxacin dosage for dogs?

View the Enrofloxacin 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 5 mg per kg (2.27 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