Selected Analgesics for Use in Dogs and Cats Class
Drug
Pain Category
Dosage for Dogs (mg/kg)
Dosage for Cats (mg/kg)
Morphine
Moderate to severe
0.1–2
0.1–0.5
Hydromorphone
Moderate to severe
0.05–0.2
0.025–0.2
Oxymorphone
Moderate to severe
0.05–0.2
0.025–0.1
Methadone
Moderate to severe
0.1–1
0.1–0.5
Fentanyl
Moderate to severe
0.0050.01
0.0025–0.005
Meperidine
Mild to moderate
3–10
3–5
Codeine
Mild to moderate
0.5–2
0.5–2
Codeine 60 mg/acetaminophen 300 mg
Mild to moderate
1–2 (codeine)
Contraindicated
Opioids Agonists
Hydrocodone
Moderate
0.5
Reliable dosages not established
Agonistantagonist
Butorphanol
Mild (good visceral analgesia)
0.1–0.5
0.1–0.5
Partial agonist
Buprenorphine
Mild to moderate
0.005– 0.02
0.01–0.03
Tramadol
Mild to moderate
5–10
1–4
Opioid-like
a Preservative-free formulations recommended.