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Corticosteroid · For Cats

Prednisolone dosage reference for cats (Prednisolone)

This page's standard weight-based reference is 1 mg per kg (0.45 mg per lb), with once or twice daily (then tapered) 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
12-36 hours
Class
Corticosteroid

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.

Prednisolone (often known by brand names such as Prednisolone) is a corticosteroid commonly used in veterinary medicine for inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, allergies, immune-mediated diseases, and lymphoma. Understanding the correct dosage, administration, and potential side effects of Prednisolone is critical for your cat’s safety and well-being.

A typical Prednisolone dose for cats is around 1 mg/kg once or twice daily (then tapered), within a usual range of 0.5-2 mg/kg. Available forms include tablet 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.

Prednisolone Dosage Calculator for Cats

Enter your cat’s weight below to estimate the Prednisolone dose 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

Quick Dosage Chart

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

Dosage Chart · 02

Prednisolone 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) 0.70 mg 1.4 mg 2.8 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
4 lbs (1.8 kg) 0.90 mg 1.8 mg 3.6 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
5 lbs (2.3 kg) 1.1 mg 2.3 mg 4.6 mg (5mg tablet) once or twice daily (then tapered)
6 lbs (2.7 kg) 1.4 mg 2.7 mg 5.4 mg (5mg tablet) once or twice daily (then tapered)
7 lbs (3.2 kg) 1.6 mg 3.2 mg 6.4 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
8 lbs (3.6 kg) 1.8 mg 3.6 mg 7.2 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
9 lbs (4.1 kg) 2.0 mg 4.1 mg (5mg tablet) 8.2 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
10 lbs (4.5 kg) 2.3 mg 4.5 mg (5mg tablet) 9.0 mg (2 × 5mg) once or twice daily (then tapered)
12 lbs (5.4 kg) 2.7 mg 5.4 mg (5mg tablet) 10.8 mg (2 × 5mg) once or twice daily (then tapered)
14 lbs (6.3 kg) 3.1 mg 6.3 mg 12.6 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
16 lbs (7.3 kg) 3.6 mg 7.3 mg 14.6 mg (3 × 5mg) once or twice daily (then tapered)
18 lbs (8.2 kg) 4.1 mg (5mg tablet) 8.2 mg 16.4 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
20 lbs (9.1 kg) 4.5 mg (5mg tablet) 9.1 mg (2 × 5mg) 18.2 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
25 lbs (11.3 kg) 5.7 mg (5mg tablet) 11.3 mg 22.6 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)

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

Prednisolone 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 Prednisolone to Your Cat

IMPORTANT: Cats must receive prednisoLONE, not prednisone. Cats cannot efficiently convert prednisone to the active form (prednisolone) in their liver. Give with food to reduce stomach upset. Never stop abruptly after long-term use — always taper under veterinary guidance.

It is generally recommended to give Prednisolone with food to help reduce stomach upset. It may interact with NSAIDs (increased GI ulcer risk), insulin, vaccines (reduced response), and diuretics.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects include increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, weight gain, and behavioral changes. More serious side effects can occur, such as diabetes mellitus, immune suppression, skin thinning, muscle wasting, and GI ulceration.

Cautions · 12

When Prednisolone should be used with caution or avoided

Some cats should not take Prednisolone, 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 Prednisolone.

  • diabetes mellitus (relative)
  • systemic fungal infections
  • GI ulceration
  • use with NSAIDs

Interactions · 13

Prednisolone drug interactions

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

NSAIDs (increased GI ulcer risk)
insulin
vaccines (reduced response)
diuretics

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 Prednisolone, 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 do cats need prednisolone instead of prednisone?
Cats lack the liver enzyme needed to efficiently convert prednisone into its active form, prednisolone. When cats receive prednisone, they may not get the full therapeutic effect. Always use prednisolone for cats — this is the active form that works directly without needing liver conversion.
How much prednisolone can I give my cat?
Anti-inflammatory doses are typically 0.5-1 mg/kg once or twice daily. For immune suppression (autoimmune diseases, certain cancers), higher doses of 2-4 mg/kg may be used initially. Your vet will determine the dose and create a tapering schedule.
Can prednisolone cause diabetes in cats?
Yes, long-term corticosteroid use is a known risk factor for diabetes in cats. Cats are more susceptible to steroid-induced diabetes than dogs. Your vet will monitor blood glucose levels during treatment, especially for overweight cats or those on long-term steroids.
How long can a cat stay on prednisolone?
Short courses (1-2 weeks) are common and generally well-tolerated. Long-term use may be necessary for chronic conditions like IBD, asthma, or lymphoma, but requires careful monitoring for side effects including diabetes, immune suppression, and muscle wasting.

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

Context in this medication record

Commonly listed uses
inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, allergies, immune-mediated diseases, lymphoma
Recorded forms
tablet, liquid
Reference timing
once or twice daily (then tapered); onset 1-2 hours; duration 12-36 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

diabetes mellitus (relative); systemic fungal infections; GI ulceration; use with NSAIDs.

Recorded interactions

NSAIDs (increased GI ulcer risk); insulin; vaccines (reduced response); diuretics.

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 1 mg per kg (0.45 mg per lb) of body weight, given once or twice daily (then tapered). 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