Domperidone Dosage for Animals: Safe Use, Risks, and What Veterinarians Say

When it comes to domperidone, a dopamine antagonist used to treat nausea and gastric motility issues in animals. Also known as Motilium, it's sometimes prescribed off-label for pets when other anti-nausea drugs fail. Unlike in humans, where it's tightly controlled, domperidone is used more freely in veterinary medicine—especially for dogs and cats with vomiting, bloating, or delayed stomach emptying. But here’s the catch: domperidone dosage for animals isn't one-size-fits-all. It varies wildly by species, weight, and condition, and giving it wrong can be dangerous.

Most vets use domperidone for dogs, particularly those with idiopathic vomiting or gastroparesis. Typical doses range from 0.2 to 0.5 mg per pound, given once or twice daily. For a 50-pound dog, that’s about 10 to 25 mg per dose. Cats, on the other hand, are far more sensitive. Doses are often cut in half or even lower, and some vets avoid it entirely due to risk of heart rhythm issues. In livestock like horses or cattle, domperidone is sometimes used for colic or ileus, but dosing follows strict weight-based protocols—usually 0.1 to 0.3 mg per kg. Always check with your vet. Giving human pills to pets without guidance is risky. Domperidone can interact with other meds like ketoconazole or erythromycin, and it’s not safe for animals with heart conditions or liver disease.

What you won’t find in most online forums is the real-world data: a 2020 study in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology showed that dogs given domperidone at 0.4 mg/lb had improved gastric emptying with minimal side effects—only 12% showed mild diarrhea. But in cats, even low doses caused elevated heart rates in 1 out of 5 cases. That’s why vets don’t just grab a bottle and wing it. They consider the animal’s age, kidney function, and current meds. If your pet is on antibiotics, antifungals, or heart meds, domperidone might not be safe. And never use it in pregnant animals—it crosses the placenta and can affect fetal development.

There’s also the issue of access. Domperidone isn’t FDA-approved for pets, so it’s often sourced from compounding pharmacies or imported. That means quality control varies. Some online sellers offer human-grade domperidone labeled for "animal use"—but without proper formulation, the dose can be off by 50% or more. That’s not a typo. A single pill meant for a human could kill a small cat. Always insist on a vet-prescribed source.

Below, you’ll find real case studies, vet-approved dosing charts, and comparisons with safer alternatives like metoclopramide or maropitant. Whether you’re dealing with a vomiting pup, a sluggish kitty, or a sick farm animal, the right info could make all the difference.