# Is There a Librela for Cats? Arthritis Options Explained Is there a Librela for cats? No. Librela (bedinvetmab) is licensed for dogs only, and there is no cat version of that exact product. The good news is that cats have their own monthly injectable option for arthritis pain, and it works in a similar way. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Librela is a dog-only medication. It is not approved or labeled for cats, so your veterinarian cannot legally or safely use it as a cat arthritis treatment. - The feline equivalent is Solensia (frunevetmab), a monthly injection approved for cats with osteoarthritis pain. - Solensia is given by a veterinarian as a subcutaneous injection, usually once a month. - Other options exist, including NSAIDs, other pain medications, joint supplements, weight management, and newer therapies still under study. - Costs vary widely by clinic and region, so ask your veterinarian for a written estimate before you commit to a treatment plan. ## Is There a Librela for Cats? What the Medicine Is and What It Treats Librela is the brand name for bedinvetmab, a monoclonal antibody that targets nerve growth factor. It is used to control osteoarthritis pain in dogs. Veterinarians in several countries have reported high satisfaction with it, with an average score of 8.0 out of 10, and fewer than 1% stopped using it because of dissatisfaction [1]. In a clinical trial, bedinvetmab was compared with meloxicam, a common NSAID, for managing canine osteoarthritis pain [2]. Here is the catch for cat owners. Bedinvetmab is a fully canine antibody [2]. That means it was designed to work in dogs. Using it in cats is not the same as using a cat-specific product, and it is not how the drug was tested or approved. The feline equivalent is Solensia, whose generic name is frunevetmab. It is a feline-specific anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody. If you have been searching for a "Librela equivalent for cats," Solensia is the answer your veterinarian will most likely give you. Osteoarthritis is not a rare problem in cats. It is considered the primary source of chronic pain in cats and affects well over a quarter of the feline population [3]. Many cases go undiagnosed because owners do not recognize the signs [3]. Cats are masters at hiding discomfort, so a cat who stops jumping onto the counter or who seems "just old" may actually be in pain. If you are unsure what to look for, see [Cat Arthritis: How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-arthritis-pain-signs). ## How Does the Feline Version Work? Nerve growth factor is a protein the body releases when joints are inflamed or damaged. It binds to nerve cells and helps generate the pain signal that travels to the brain. Anti-nerve growth factor antibodies like frunevetmab attach to that protein and block it from doing its job. The result is less pain signaling from the arthritic joint. This is a different approach from NSAIDs, which reduce inflammation through enzymes called cyclooxygenase. Because the antibody approach does not work through those enzymes, it does not carry the same stomach, kidney, and liver risks that NSAIDs can. That does not make it risk-free, but it does mean it can sometimes be used when an NSAID is not a good fit. One thing veterinarians and owners should understand is that this class of drug is still being studied in cats. A 2025 review noted that anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibodies are a promising avenue, but the long-term effects of repeated dosing, the best conditions for giving them, and the specific situations where they help most have not yet been fully described [3]. In plain terms, this is a newer tool with real benefits and some open questions. ## Dosing Basics for the Feline Option Your veterinarian decides the dose. It is calculated from your cat's weight and overall health, and it is not something you can figure out at home. Never use a dog's dose, a dog's product, or a leftover injection on your cat. Solensia is given as an injection under the skin, usually in the scruff area, once a month. It must be given by a veterinarian or a trained veterinary team member. You cannot give it at home the way you give a pill or a liquid. Missed doses are handled simply. If your cat is late for a monthly injection, call your clinic and reschedule. Do not try to double up or catch up on your own. Your veterinarian will restart the schedule in a way that makes sense for your cat. Because the injection is given in the clinic, you will not have to worry about hiding medication in food or fighting with a cat who has learned to spit out pills. For many owners, that alone is a major reason to choose this option. ## Side Effects: What to Watch For Most cats tolerate the injection well, but no medication is completely free of side effects. The table below covers the ones owners ask about most. | Side effect | How common or serious | What to do | |---|---|---| | Injection site reaction (small bump, tenderness, mild swelling) | Uncommon and usually mild | Note it and mention it at the next visit. Call the clinic if it grows, drains, or bothers your cat. | | Vomiting or diarrhea | Can happen, usually mild and short-lived | Call your veterinarian if it lasts more than a day or your cat stops eating. | | Reduced appetite or low energy | Possible after the injection | Monitor for 24 to 48 hours. Call if it does not improve. | | Itching, hives, facial swelling, trouble breathing | Rare but serious | This is an emergency. Seek veterinary care right away. | | Worsening pain or new lameness | Possible, and it may not be from the drug | Have your cat rechecked so your veterinarian can look for other causes. | Because this drug class is still being studied in cats, the long-term safety picture is not fully mapped out [3]. That is not a reason to avoid treatment, but it is a reason to keep regular recheck appointments so your veterinarian can track how your cat is doing over time. ## Who Should Not Take It, and What Interacts With It Tell your veterinarian about every medication, supplement, and topical product your cat receives, including flea and tick products. That information shapes the treatment plan. Cats who should not receive this type of medication include: - Cats with a known allergy to the product or any of its ingredients. - Cats who are pregnant, nursing, or intended for breeding. Safety in these groups has not been established. - Cats with serious uncontrolled illness, until your veterinarian has stabilized the condition. - Cats with an active infection or a weakened immune system, unless your veterinarian decides the benefit outweighs the risk. Drug interactions are not fully documented for this class in cats [3]. Your veterinarian will review your cat's full medication list and decide what is safe to combine. Do not add over-the-counter pain relievers on your own. Human pain medications, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen, are toxic to cats and can be fatal. ## Overdose and When to Call for Help An overdose is unlikely when the injection is given in a clinic, because the dose is measured and recorded by the veterinary team. If you ever suspect your cat received too much of any medication, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control hotline immediately. Have your cat's weight, the product name, and the amount given ready. If your cat shows trouble breathing, collapses, has a seizure, or develops sudden severe swelling, treat it as an emergency and go to the nearest open veterinary hospital. ## Other Arthritis Options for Cats Solensia is not the only path. Your veterinarian may recommend one or a combination of the following. **NSAIDs.** Meloxicam is the most studied drug for feline osteoarthritis pain [3]. It requires a prescription, careful dosing, and periodic bloodwork to monitor kidney and liver values. Never give a dog's NSAID or a human NSAID to your cat. **Other pain medications.** Gabapentin and other drugs are sometimes used for chronic pain in cats. Dosing is always individualized. One drug that appears in the veterinary literature is tapentadol, dosed at 10 mg/kg by mouth every 24 hours, though this is not a standard first choice for feline arthritis [4]. **Joint supplements.** Products containing glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussel, or omega-3 fatty acids are commonly used. Evidence in cats is limited, but many owners report benefit and the risk is generally low. See [Cat Joint Health Supplements](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/veterinary-technology/cat-joint-health-supplements) for a closer look. **Weight management and food restriction.** Extra weight puts more load on sore joints. Gradual, veterinarian-guided weight loss is one of the most effective things you can do at home [3]. **Lifestyle and home changes.** Ramps, low-sided litter boxes, heated beds, and soft bedding reduce the effort your cat needs to get around. These changes are low-cost and low-risk. For a room-by-room plan, read [Cat Arthritis: How to Recognize the Signs and Make Your Home More Comfortable](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-arthritis-signs-home-comfort). **Physical therapy and rehabilitation.** Gentle range-of-motion exercises, therapeutic laser, and controlled activity can help maintain muscle and joint function. These are usually used alongside medication, not instead of it. **Regenerative and biologic therapies.** These are newer and still being studied. In a pilot study of 35 cats with naturally occurring osteoarthritis, cats receiving intravenous allogeneic uterine-derived mesenchymal stromal cells showed higher treatment success at day 90 than placebo-treated cats, with success rates of 78% and 83% in the two treated groups compared with 36.4% in the placebo group for two of the outcome measures [5]. A separate small case series of six cats found significant improvements in owner-assessed and clinician-assessed pain scores after intra-articular platelet-rich plasma injections [6]. These results are encouraging but come from small studies, and these treatments are not yet standard care. **Screening tools.** Your veterinarian may use a structured checklist or questionnaire to catch arthritis earlier. A prospective study using a Feline Osteoarthritis Checklist screened 437 cats and found that structured screening picks up cases that routine exams miss [7]. Other tools, like the Montreal Instrument for Cat Arthritis Testing, are used in research settings [4]. If your cat is middle-aged or older, ask whether a screening checklist is part of the annual exam. For help telling arthritis apart from other causes of limping, see [Cat Limping: Arthritis or Something Else? How to Tell](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-limping-arthritis-or-something-else). ## What Does Librela for Cats Cost, and What About the Feline Version? There is no Librela for cats, so there is no cat price for it. What owners actually pay for is Solensia or another feline treatment. Costs vary by clinic, city, and the size of your cat. A single monthly injection typically runs in the range of roughly $60 to $120, and some clinics bundle it with an exam fee. Prices change, so treat that as a rough guide only. Ask your clinic for a written estimate that includes the injection, the exam, and any bloodwork they recommend. If the monthly cost is a concern, talk to your veterinarian about it openly. Options include: - Comparing the monthly injection cost with daily medication plus monitoring bloodwork. - Asking about multi-month packages or payment plans. - Prioritizing lower-cost steps first, such as weight loss, home changes, and supplements. - Rechecking whether the current plan is still working before adding more expense. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian No article can tell you what is right for your individual cat. Your veterinarian needs to examine your cat, review bloodwork, and consider other conditions before choosing a treatment. Contact your veterinarian the same day if your cat: - Stops eating or drinking for more than 24 hours. - Vomits repeatedly or has diarrhea that lasts more than a day. - Seems suddenly more painful, or yowls when picked up. - Develops a new limp or stops using a leg. - Has swelling, redness, or drainage at the injection site. Go to an emergency clinic right away if your cat: - Has trouble breathing, open-mouth breathing, or blue gums. - Collapses or cannot stand. - Has a seizure. - Has facial swelling, hives, or severe itching after any injection. - Cannot urinate, especially a male cat straining in the litter box. Schedule a routine visit if your cat: - Is due for a monthly injection. - Seems stiffer, jumps less, or hesitates on stairs. - Has not had a senior wellness exam in the past year. - Is on long-term medication and needs monitoring bloodwork. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I get Librela for my cat from my veterinarian? No. Librela is licensed for dogs only and is not approved for cats. Your veterinarian can prescribe the feline equivalent, Solensia, or another cat-appropriate treatment instead. ### Is Solensia the same thing as Librela? They belong to the same drug class, but they are different products made for different species. Librela contains bedinvetmab, a canine antibody, while Solensia contains frunevetmab, a feline antibody. ### How often does my cat need the injection? The standard schedule is once a month, given in the clinic. Your veterinarian will set the exact timing based on your cat's response and overall health. ### Can I give my cat my dog's arthritis medication? No. Dog medications, including Librela and canine NSAIDs, are not made for cats and can cause serious harm. Never share medications between pets. ### What if I cannot afford the monthly injection? Tell your veterinarian. They can help you prioritize lower-cost steps like weight loss, home changes, and supplements, and they can compare costs with other treatment plans. ## Related Articles - [Cat Limping: Arthritis or Something Else? How to Tell](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-limping-arthritis-or-something-else) - [Cat Arthritis: How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-arthritis-pain-signs) - [Cat Joint Health Supplements](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/veterinary-technology/cat-joint-health-supplements) - [Cat Arthritis: How to Recognize the Signs and Make Your Home More Comfortable](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-arthritis-signs-home-comfort) - [Solensia Injection for Feline Osteoarthritis: Safe Joint Pain Relief Guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/orthopedic-mobility/solensia-injection-for-feline-osteoarthritis-safe-joint-pain-relief-guide) - [Revolution Plus For Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/revolution-plus-for-cats) - [Librela vs Solensia for Cats: Which Arthritis Shot Works?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/librela-vs-solensia-cats) - [Senior Cat Joint Pain: Arthritis Care and Support Options](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/senior-cat-joint-pain-arthritis) - [Arthritis in Cats: Leg, Hip, and Paw Signs to Know](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/arthritis-cats-legs-hips-paws) ## References 1. [Use of Bedinvetmab (Librela®) for Canine Osteoarthritis in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK: Quantitative Analysis of Veterinarian Satisfaction and Real-World Treatment Patterns](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39123757/). Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2024. 2. [A randomised, parallel-group clinical trial comparing bedinvetmab to meloxicam for the management of canine osteoarthritis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40196808/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2025. 3. [Osteoarthritis in cats: what we know, and mostly, what we don't know. . . yet](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40685570/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2025. 4. [Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats - Musculoskeletal System](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/osteoarthritis-in-dogs-and-cats/osteoarthritis-in-dogs-and-cats). Merck Veterinary Manual. 5. [Pilot study demonstrating safety and efficacy of intravenous allogeneic uterine-derived mesenchymal stromal cell therapy in cats with naturally occurring osteoarthritis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42761244/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2026. 6. [The use of platelet rich plasma in the treatment of degenerative joint disease in cats: an exploratory case series](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38863451/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2024. 7. [Implementation of a prospective in-clinic validated Feline Osteoarthritis Checklist](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41147304/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2025. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information)