Cerenia for Dogs and Cats: Dosage Guide, Side Effects & How It Compares to Other Anti-Nausea Medications

Why Veterinarians Reach for Cerenia First

If your dog or cat has been vomiting, there’s a good chance your vet has used or recommended Cerenia. It’s the most widely trusted antiemetic in veterinary medicine — but what exactly is it, how does it work, and is it safe for your pet?

This guide covers everything pet owners need to know about Cerenia, including dosage, side effects, and how it compares to other anti-nausea options.

What is Cerenia?

Cerenia is the brand name for maropitant citrate, manufactured by Zoetis. It’s a neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist — meaning it blocks a specific chemical messenger called Substance P in the brain’s vomiting centre.

Substance P is the final common pathway for vomiting from almost any cause. By blocking it, Cerenia can prevent and treat vomiting regardless of whether it’s caused by motion sickness, toxins, kidney disease, medications, surgery, chemotherapy, or simple dietary indiscretion.

This is what makes Cerenia fundamentally different from older antiemetics like metoclopramide (which primarily affects the GI tract) or ondansetron (which blocks serotonin receptors). Cerenia works at the central vomiting centre itself.

You can buy Cerenia injectable solution at PetShopBoss.com with worldwide shipping.

What Forms Does Cerenia Come In?

Cerenia is available in two forms:

• Injectable solution (10mg/ml, 20ml vial) — for subcutaneous or IV use in dogs and cats. Ideal for acute vomiting when the animal can’t keep oral medication down
• Tablets (16mg, 24mg, 60mg, 160mg) — for oral use in dogs. Commonly used for motion sickness prevention before travel

The injectable form is what veterinary clinics use most often for emergency and in-hospital treatment. The tablets are more commonly sent home with pet owners for travel sickness prevention.

What Does Cerenia Treat?

In Dogs

• Acute vomiting from any cause — gastritis, pancreatitis, kidney disease, toxin exposure, dietary indiscretion
• Motion sickness — prevents vomiting during car rides, flights, and travel (tablets are preferred for this)
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting — given preventatively before chemo treatment
• Perioperative nausea — prevents vomiting before and after surgery, especially when opioids are used

In Cats

• Acute vomiting from various causes
• Post-anaesthetic nausea — prevention after general anaesthesia
• Nausea reduction (except motion sickness — not indicated for this in cats)

Cerenia Dosage for Dogs and Cats

Injectable Form

The standard dose for both dogs and cats is 1mg maropitant per kg body weight, given subcutaneously once daily for up to 5 days.

Since the solution concentration is 10mg/ml, the dosing is simple: 0.1ml per kg body weight (or 1ml per 10kg).

Tablet Form (Dogs Only — for Motion Sickness)

For motion sickness prevention: 8mg/kg body weight, given at least 2 hours before travel, once daily for up to 2 days. Give with a small amount of food.

For acute vomiting treatment: 2mg/kg body weight, once daily for up to 5 days.

How Fast Does Cerenia Work?

• Injectable: Peak plasma concentration within ~45 minutes. Most animals show improvement within 1 hour
• Tablets: Effective within approximately 1–2 hours after oral administration
• Duration: Both forms provide approximately 24 hours of anti-vomiting protection

Cerenia Side Effects

Cerenia is generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported side effects include:

Dogs

• Pain at injection site (transient)
• Hypersalivation (excessive drooling)
• Drowsiness / lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhoea

Cats

• Pain at injection site — reported in approximately one-third of cats. This is the most significant side effect in feline patients. Refrigerating the vial before injection significantly reduces discomfort
• Hypersalivation
• Very rarely: anaphylactic-type reactions

Most side effects are mild and self-resolving.

Cerenia vs Metoclopramide vs Ondansetron

How does Cerenia compare to other veterinary antiemetics?

Cerenia’s advantages are clear: longer duration, broader coverage, once-daily dosing, non-sedating, and it’s the only FDA-approved option.

Important Safety Information

• Age limits: Not for puppies under 8 weeks or kittens under 16 weeks
• Liver disease: Use with caution — maropitant is metabolised in the liver
• Heart conditions: Use with caution in animals with heart disease
• Calcium channel blockers: Do not use Cerenia alongside drugs like diltiazem or amlodipine
• Pregnancy/lactation: Safety not established — avoid use
• Remember: Vomiting can indicate serious conditions (GI obstruction, pancreatitis, toxin ingestion). Cerenia treats the symptom, not the cause. Always pursue appropriate diagnostic evaluation

Cerenia for Motion Sickness in Dogs

Motion sickness affects up to 1 in 5 dogs. Signs include drooling, lip licking, restlessness, whining, and vomiting during car rides.

Cerenia tablets are the only FDA-approved treatment for canine motion sickness. For best results:

• Give the tablet at least 2 hours before travel
• Administer with a small amount of food (not a full meal)
• Can be given once daily for up to 2 consecutive travel days
• Unlike Benadryl or Dramamine, Cerenia does not cause drowsiness, so your dog stays alert and comfortable during the trip

Where to Buy Cerenia Online

You can purchase genuine Zoetis Cerenia injectable solution (10mg/ml, 20ml vial) from PetShopBoss.com with worldwide delivery.

Always consult your veterinarian before administering Cerenia to ensure it is appropriate for your pet’s specific condition.