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Fluoroquinolone antibiotic · For Cats

How much Enrofloxacin (Baytril) can I give my cat?

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

Onset
1-2 hours
Duration
24 hours
Class
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic

Calculator estimate from Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook. Independent DVM review is being added page by page — 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.

Dosage data is sourced from Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook and cross-referenced with Merck Veterinary Manual and DailyMed where applicable. Independent DVM review is being added page by page. See our methodology.

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 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 7mg once daily
4 lbs (1.8 kg) 9mg 9mg 9mg once daily
5 lbs (2.3 kg) 11.5mg 11.5mg 11.5mg once daily
6 lbs (2.7 kg) 13.5mg 13.5mg 13.5mg once daily
7 lbs (3.2 kg) 16mg 16mg 16mg once daily
8 lbs (3.6 kg) 18mg (22.7mg tablet) 18mg (22.7mg tablet) 18mg (22.7mg tablet) once daily
9 lbs (4.1 kg) 20.5mg (22.7mg tablet) 20.5mg (22.7mg tablet) 20.5mg (22.7mg tablet) once daily
10 lbs (4.5 kg) 22.5mg (22.7mg tablet) 22.5mg (22.7mg tablet) 22.5mg (22.7mg tablet) once daily
12 lbs (5.4 kg) 27mg (22.7mg tablet) 27mg (22.7mg tablet) 27mg (22.7mg tablet) once daily
14 lbs (6.3 kg) 31.5mg 31.5mg 31.5mg once daily
16 lbs (7.3 kg) 36.5mg 36.5mg 36.5mg once daily
18 lbs (8.2 kg) 41mg (2 × 22.7mg) 41mg (2 × 22.7mg) 41mg (2 × 22.7mg) once daily
20 lbs (9.1 kg) 45.5mg (2 × 22.7mg) 45.5mg (2 × 22.7mg) 45.5mg (2 × 22.7mg) once daily
25 lbs (11.3 kg) 56.5mg 56.5mg 56.5mg once daily

By Weight

Baytril dose by cat weight

Pick your cat's weight to jump to a dedicated page with the dose, frequency, safety notes, and FAQ for that size.

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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.

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 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 Enrofloxacin.

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 once daily. The calculator multiplies that basis by your cat's weight and rounds to the closest available tablet size.
Last-reviewed status
Independent DVM review is being added page by page.

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

Safety · 10

More resources