ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) · For Dogs

Vasotec dosage reference for dogs (Enalapril)

This page's standard weight-based reference is 0.5 mg per kg (0.23 mg per lb), with Every 12-24 hours recorded as the reference frequency. Use the calculator to see the arithmetic for your dog's weight, then confirm the indication, product, and actual dose with a veterinarian.

Onset: 1-4 hours
Duration: 12-24 hours
Class: ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor)

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.

Enalapril (often known by brand names such as Vasotec and Enacard) is an ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) commonly used in veterinary medicine for Congestive heart failure, Systemic hypertension, Protein-losing nephropathy, and Chronic kidney disease management. Understanding the correct dosage, administration, and potential side effects of Enalapril is critical for your dog’s safety and well-being.

A typical Enalapril dose for dogs is around 0.5 mg/kg Every 12-24 hours, within a usual range of 0.25-1 mg/kg. Available forms include Tablet.

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.

Enalapril Dosage Calculator for Dogs

Enter your dog’s weight below to estimate the Enalapril dose from the 0.5 mg/kg guideline. Your veterinarian may adjust it for your dog’s age, condition, and other medications, so treat the result as an educational starting point, not a prescription.

Dosage Calculator · 01

Enter your dog's weight

Quick Dosage Chart

Typical Enalapril amounts for common dog weights, for quick reference:

Dosage Chart · 02

Vasotec weight-based reference chart for dogs

Scroll sideways to see full table

Weight	Lower Reference	Standard Reference	Upper Reference	Frequency
5 lbs (2.3 kg)	0.57 mg	1.1 mg	2.3 mg (2.5mg tablet)	Every 12-24 hours
10 lbs (4.5 kg)	1.1 mg	2.3 mg (2.5mg tablet)	4.5 mg (2 × 2.5mg)	Every 12-24 hours
15 lbs (6.8 kg)	1.7 mg	3.4 mg	6.8 mg	Every 12-24 hours
20 lbs (9.1 kg)	2.3 mg (2.5mg tablet)	4.5 mg (2 × 2.5mg)	9.1 mg	Every 12-24 hours
25 lbs (11.3 kg)	2.8 mg (2.5mg tablet)	5.7 mg	11.3 mg	Every 12-24 hours
30 lbs (13.6 kg)	3.4 mg	6.8 mg	13.6 mg	Every 12-24 hours
40 lbs (18.1 kg)	4.5 mg (2 × 2.5mg)	9.1 mg	18.1 mg (7 × 2.5mg)	Every 12-24 hours
50 lbs (22.7 kg)	5.7 mg	11.3 mg	22.7 mg (9 × 2.5mg)	Every 12-24 hours
60 lbs (27.2 kg)	6.8 mg	13.6 mg	27.2 mg (11 × 2.5mg)	Every 12-24 hours
70 lbs (31.7 kg)	7.9 mg (3 × 2.5mg)	15.8 mg	31.7 mg	Every 12-24 hours
80 lbs (36.3 kg)	9.1 mg	18.1 mg	36.3 mg	Every 12-24 hours
90 lbs (40.8 kg)	10.2 mg (4 × 2.5mg)	20.4 mg (8 × 2.5mg)	40.8 mg	Every 12-24 hours
100 lbs (45.4 kg)	11.3 mg	22.7 mg (9 × 2.5mg)	45.4 mg (18 × 2.5mg)	Every 12-24 hours
120 lbs (54.4 kg)	13.6 mg	27.2 mg (11 × 2.5mg)	54.4 mg (22 × 2.5mg)	Every 12-24 hours
150 lbs (68 kg)	17.0 mg (7 × 2.5mg)	34.0 mg	68.0 mg (27 × 2.5mg)	Every 12-24 hours

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

Vasotec reference by dog 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 Enalapril to Your Dog

Give enalapril tablets by mouth with or without food. Administer at the same time(s) each day. If prescribed twice daily, space doses approximately 12 hours apart. Ensure fresh water is always available. Kidney values should be monitored regularly, especially when starting therapy or adjusting doses. Do not stop abruptly without veterinary guidance.

It is generally recommended to give Enalapril with food to help reduce stomach upset. It may interact with NSAIDs — may reduce effectiveness and increase kidney injury risk, Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone) — increased hyperkalemia risk, Furosemide — first-dose hypotension risk; monitor closely when starting, and Other antihypertensives — additive blood pressure lowering.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects include Decreased appetite, Vomiting or diarrhea, Mild lethargy, and Low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness). More serious side effects can occur, such as Acute kidney injury (elevated BUN/creatinine), Hyperkalemia (dangerously high potassium), Severe hypotension and collapse, and Angioedema (facial swelling).

Cautions · 12

When Vasotec should be used with caution or avoided

Some dogs should not take Vasotec, 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 Vasotec.

Known hypersensitivity to ACE inhibitors
Bilateral renal artery stenosis
Severe aortic or mitral valve stenosis
Dehydration or hypovolemia

Interactions · 13

Vasotec drug interactions

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

NSAIDs — may reduce effectiveness and increase kidney injury risk

Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone) — increased hyperkalemia risk

Furosemide — first-dose hypotension risk; monitor closely when starting

Other antihypertensives — additive blood pressure lowering

Calculator Limits · 14

When not to use this calculator

This calculator gives a general educational estimate for a healthy adult dog 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 dogs
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 dog's current, accurate weight
For combination products that contain additional active ingredients

Overdose · 15

Suspected overdose: what to do

If you think your dog had too much Vasotec, 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 dog experiences any of the following, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately:

Weakness, wobbliness, or fainting (signs of low blood pressure)
Significant decrease in appetite or vomiting
Noticeably decreased urination or dark-colored urine
Facial swelling or difficulty breathing
Worsening cough, exercise intolerance, or breathing difficulty

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked · 07

Questions about this medication

What does enalapril do for dogs with heart failure?

Enalapril blocks the angiotensin-converting enzyme, reducing the production of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This lowers blood pressure, reduces the workload on the heart, and helps prevent fluid retention. It is a cornerstone of heart failure management in dogs and is commonly used alongside pimobendan and furosemide.

Does enalapril require blood work monitoring in dogs?

Yes. Kidney values (BUN, creatinine) and electrolytes (especially potassium) should be checked before starting enalapril, 5-7 days after starting or changing the dose, and then every 3-6 months. ACE inhibitors can affect kidney function, particularly in dehydrated dogs or those on concurrent diuretics.

Can enalapril be used for dogs with kidney disease?

Yes, enalapril is often prescribed for dogs with protein-losing nephropathy because it reduces protein loss in the urine by lowering pressure in the kidney's filtration system. However, careful monitoring is essential as ACE inhibitors can worsen kidney function in some cases.

What are the signs of low blood pressure in dogs on enalapril?

Signs of hypotension include weakness, wobbly gait, lethargy, fainting or collapsing, and cold extremities. These signs are more likely when enalapril is first started, when the dose is increased, or when combined with diuretics like furosemide. Report these symptoms to your vet promptly.

Can I give enalapril with food?

Yes, enalapril can be given with or without food. Giving with food may help reduce mild GI upset. Unlike pimobendan, food does not significantly affect enalapril absorption, so giving it at mealtime is acceptable and convenient.

Use This Guide Safely · 08

What weight alone cannot tell you

The calculator performs one narrow job: it multiplies your dog's weight by the lower, standard, and upper mg/kg values recorded for Vasotec. It cannot decide whether this drug, indication, formulation, or schedule is appropriate for an individual animal.

Context in this medication record

Commonly listed uses: Congestive heart failure, Systemic hypertension, Protein-losing nephropathy, Chronic kidney disease management
Recorded forms: Tablet
Reference timing: Every 12-24 hours; onset 1-4 hours; duration 12-24 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

Known hypersensitivity to ACE inhibitors; Bilateral renal artery stenosis; Severe aortic or mitral valve stenosis; Dehydration or hypovolemia.

Recorded interactions

NSAIDs — may reduce effectiveness and increase kidney injury risk; Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone) — increased hyperkalemia risk; Furosemide — first-dose hypotension risk; monitor closely when starting; Other antihypertensives — additive blood pressure lowering.

These lists reproduce the structured record used by this page and may not be exhaustive. Show your veterinarian the product label and your dog's complete medication list before acting on a number.

Related · 08

Related medications for dogs

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.

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 Enalapril — check current product and formulation labels; some veterinary uses may be off-label.

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 0.5 mg per kg (0.23 mg per lb) of body weight, given Every 12-24 hours. The calculator multiplies that basis by your dog'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 dogs 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