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PetDosageChart

Anticonvulsant / Analgesic · For Dogs

How much Gabapentin (Neurontin) can I give my dog?

Standard Gabapentin dose for dogs is 10 mg per kg (4.54 mg per lb), given every 8-12 hours. Use the calculator below for your dog's exact weight, or jump to the weight-by-weight chart.

Onset
1-2 hours
Duration
8-12 hours
Class
Anticonvulsant / Analgesic

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

Neurontin dose by dog weight

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Dosage Chart · 02

Neurontin dosage for dogs by weight

Scroll sideways to see full table

Weight Low Dose Standard Max Safe Frequency
5 lbs (2.3 kg) 11.5mg 23mg 46mg every 8-12 hours
10 lbs (4.5 kg) 22.5mg 45mg 90mg (100mg tablet) every 8-12 hours
15 lbs (6.8 kg) 34mg 68mg 136mg every 8-12 hours
20 lbs (9.1 kg) 45.5mg 91mg (100mg tablet) 182mg (2 × 100mg) every 8-12 hours
25 lbs (11.3 kg) 56.5mg 113mg (100mg tablet) 226mg every 8-12 hours
30 lbs (13.6 kg) 68mg 136mg 272mg every 8-12 hours
40 lbs (18.1 kg) 90.5mg (100mg tablet) 181mg (2 × 100mg) 362mg every 8-12 hours
50 lbs (22.7 kg) 113.5mg (100mg tablet) 227mg 454mg every 8-12 hours
60 lbs (27.2 kg) 136mg 272mg 544mg every 8-12 hours
70 lbs (31.7 kg) 158.5mg 317mg (3 × 100mg) 634mg every 8-12 hours
80 lbs (36.3 kg) 181.5mg (2 × 100mg) 363mg 726mg every 8-12 hours
90 lbs (40.8 kg) 204mg (2 × 100mg) 408mg (4 × 100mg) 816mg (8 × 100mg) every 8-12 hours
100 lbs (45.4 kg) 227mg 454mg 908mg (9 × 100mg) every 8-12 hours
120 lbs (54.4 kg) 272mg 544mg 1088mg (11 × 100mg) every 8-12 hours
150 lbs (68 kg) 340mg 680mg (7 × 100mg) 1360mg every 8-12 hours

Common Uses · 03

What is Neurontin (Gabapentin) used for in dogs?

chronic pain neuropathic pain seizures anxiety

Administration · 04

How to give Neurontin to your dog

Gabapentin can be given with or without food. Do NOT use liquid gabapentin formulations made for humans, as they often contain xylitol (a sweetener toxic to dogs). If your dog is on gabapentin for seizures, never stop abruptly — this can trigger rebound seizures. Always taper under vet supervision.

Available Forms

capsule, tablet, liquid

Give with Food?

Yes — give with food

Side Effects · 05

Side effects of Neurontin in dogs

Common side effects

sedation
ataxia (wobbliness)
lethargy
diarrhea

Serious side effects — call your vet

  • severe sedation
  • depression
  • loss of coordination
  • rebound seizures if stopped abruptly

Emergency · 06

When to call the vet

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

  • Extreme sedation or inability to walk
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Seizures (especially if dose was missed)
  • Severe vomiting or diarrhea
  • Swelling of face or limbs

For Cats

Looking for Gabapentin dosage for cats?

View the Gabapentin dosage chart and calculator for cats.

Related · 08

Related medications for dogs

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 Gabapentin.

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 10 mg per kg (4.54 mg per lb) of body weight, given every 8-12 hours. The calculator multiplies that basis by your dog'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 dogs dosage data.

Frequently Asked · 07

Questions about this medication

How much gabapentin can I give my dog?
The typical dose of gabapentin for dogs is 5-10 mg per kilogram of body weight, given every 8-12 hours. For pain management, doses up to 20 mg/kg may be used. Your vet will determine the right dose based on your dog's condition, weight, and other medications.
Can gabapentin kill a dog?
Gabapentin has a wide safety margin in dogs, and fatal overdoses are rare. However, extremely high doses can cause severe sedation, respiratory depression, and dangerously low blood pressure. The bigger risk is with liquid formulations containing xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs even in small amounts.
What are the side effects of gabapentin in dogs?
The most common side effects are sedation and wobbliness (ataxia), especially when first starting the medication or after a dose increase. These effects usually diminish over a few days as the dog adjusts. Less common side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy.
Can I stop giving my dog gabapentin suddenly?
If your dog takes gabapentin for seizures, you should never stop abruptly — sudden discontinuation can trigger rebound seizures. For pain management, your vet may still recommend a gradual taper to avoid any withdrawal effects. Always consult your vet before changing the dosing schedule.
Does gabapentin make dogs sleepy?
Yes, sedation is the most common side effect of gabapentin in dogs. Most dogs become noticeably drowsy, especially during the first few days of treatment. This sedation typically decreases over time as the dog develops tolerance to this effect.
How long does gabapentin take to work in dogs?
For sedation and anxiety relief, gabapentin usually begins working within 1-2 hours of a dose, which is why it is often given 1-2 hours before a stressful event such as a vet visit. When used for chronic or neuropathic pain, the full benefit is more gradual and may take a week or two of consistent dosing to become apparent. If you are not seeing the expected effect, talk to your vet rather than increasing the dose on your own.
How long does gabapentin last in dogs?
A single dose of gabapentin typically lasts about 8-12 hours in dogs, which is why it is usually given every 8-12 hours. The exact duration varies with the dose and the individual dog, including age and kidney function, since gabapentin is cleared by the kidneys. Follow the dosing interval your vet sets rather than re-dosing early.
How much gabapentin to give a dog for pain vs seizures vs anxiety?
Gabapentin dosing depends on the purpose. For seizures and general use it is commonly dosed around 5-10 mg/kg every 8-12 hours, while chronic or neuropathic pain may call for higher doses up to about 20 mg/kg. For situational anxiety it is often given as a single dose 1-2 hours before the stressful event within that same range. Because the right dose depends on your dog's condition, weight, and other medications, your vet will set it.
How much gabapentin to give a 10 lb dog?
A 10 lb dog (about 4.5 kg) would receive roughly 45 mg of gabapentin at the standard 10 mg/kg dose, given every 8-12 hours. Since the smallest common capsule is 100 mg, small dogs are often prescribed a compounded formulation so the dose can be measured accurately. Confirm the exact dose and formulation with your vet.
How much gabapentin to give a 25 lb dog?
A 25 lb dog (about 11.3 kg) would receive roughly 113 mg of gabapentin at the standard 10 mg/kg dose, close to one 100 mg capsule, given every 8-12 hours. For pain, a vet may prescribe a higher amount within the 5-20 mg/kg range. Always confirm the dose with your vet.
How much gabapentin to give a 50 lb dog?
A 50 lb dog (about 22.7 kg) would receive roughly 227 mg of gabapentin at the standard 10 mg/kg dose, often given as two 100 mg capsules or one 300 mg capsule depending on what your vet prescribes, every 8-12 hours. For chronic pain the dose may be higher within the 5-20 mg/kg range. Confirm the exact dose with your vet.
How much gabapentin to give a 75 lb dog?
A 75 lb dog (about 34 kg) would receive roughly 340 mg of gabapentin at the standard 10 mg/kg dose, close to one 300 mg capsule, given every 8-12 hours. Larger or pain-management doses may go higher within the 5-20 mg/kg range. Your vet will set the exact capsule size and dose.
How much gabapentin to give a 100 lb dog?
A 100 lb dog (about 45 kg) would receive roughly 450 mg of gabapentin at the standard 10 mg/kg dose, often given as a 400 mg capsule plus a smaller amount, or as the dose your vet prescribes, every 8-12 hours. For chronic pain the per-dose amount may be higher within the 5-20 mg/kg range. Always confirm the exact dose with your vet.
Can I give my dog human gabapentin?
Gabapentin capsules and tablets made for humans contain the same active ingredient and are commonly prescribed for dogs by veterinarians. However, you should never use the human liquid (oral solution) form, because it often contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. Only give human gabapentin to your dog if your vet has prescribed it and confirmed the dose, and never the xylitol-containing liquid.
What should I do if I miss a dose of gabapentin?
If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and resume the normal schedule, never double up to catch up. For dogs taking gabapentin for seizures, missed doses are more concerning because consistency matters; call your vet if you have missed multiple doses or if your dog has a seizure.
Is wobbliness or ataxia normal in dogs on gabapentin?
Mild wobbliness (ataxia) and loss of coordination are common, especially when first starting gabapentin or after a dose increase, and they usually ease within a few days as your dog adjusts. However, severe loss of coordination, an inability to stand or walk, or extreme sedation are not normal; contact your vet if you see them, as the dose may need to be lowered.
How long can my dog stay on gabapentin?
Gabapentin can be used long-term in dogs, and many dogs with chronic pain or seizures take it for months or years under veterinary supervision. Dogs on long-term gabapentin should have periodic vet checkups, particularly to monitor kidney function since the drug is cleared by the kidneys. Never stop long-term gabapentin abruptly, especially if it is used for seizures, because that can trigger rebound seizures; taper under your vet's guidance.

Safety · 10

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