# Maropitant (Cerenia) for Cats: Appetite and Dosing Maropitant for cats is an anti-nausea medicine, not a true appetite stimulant. When nausea is the reason your cat won't eat, controlling that nausea often brings the appetite back on its own. If your cat is eating poorly for other reasons, your veterinarian may reach for a different drug. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Maropitant (brand name Cerenia) is FDA-labeled to treat vomiting in cats and dogs, and it works by blocking the nausea signal in the brain [1][2]. - It can improve eating indirectly by stopping nausea, but it does not chemically stimulate hunger the way mirtazapine does [3]. - It comes as an injectable solution and as tablets, and a compounded transdermal form has been studied in cats [4]. - A veterinarian sets the dose from your cat's weight and health status, so never guess at a dose at home. - Most cats tolerate it well, but vomiting, drooling, and sleepiness are possible, and some cats should not take it at all. ## What Maropitant Is and What Veterinarians Use It For Maropitant citrate is a prescription medicine sold under the brand name Cerenia. It is a neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonist, and it is labeled for the treatment of vomiting in dogs and cats [1]. In plain terms, it is an anti-vomiting drug. Veterinarians reach for it in several situations: - Acute vomiting that started recently - Vomiting tied to motion sickness or car rides - Nausea after surgery or anesthesia - Vomiting triggered by other drugs, such as dexmedetomidine [5] - Chronic or recurring vomiting that needs longer-term control [4] It is also used before procedures. In one study of cats having surgery, maropitant was given to prevent the vomiting that a sedative drug can cause, and the incidence of emesis was very low [5]. A separate review of controlled feline studies found that maropitant reduced the risk of vomiting compared with control, with emesis occurring in 11 of 141 cats given maropitant versus 70 of 152 controls [2]. What maropitant is not is a dedicated appetite stimulant. That distinction matters, and it comes up in almost every conversation about maropitant for cats appetite concerns. ## How Maropitant Works and Why It Can Help Appetite Nausea and vomiting are driven partly by substance P, a signaling molecule that docks onto NK-1 receptors. Maropitant blocks those receptors, which interrupts the vomiting reflex before it gets going [6]. Think of it this way. A nauseated cat feels sick to her stomach, and sick cats do not eat. They turn away from the bowl, lick their lips, swallow repeatedly, and hide. When you shut down the nausea signal, the stomach settles, and the cat often walks back to the food on her own. That is the honest answer to whether maropitant boosts appetite. It restores appetite that nausea was suppressing. It does not create hunger in a cat who is not eating for another reason, such as pain, dental disease, kidney disease, cancer, or stress. If your cat's poor appetite is not nausea-related, your veterinarian may consider a true appetite stimulant instead. Mirtazapine is the classic example. It was first developed to control nausea and turned out to be an effective appetite stimulant in cats, and a transdermal form was approved for that use [3]. You can read more about how it is dosed in our guide to the [mirtazapine appetite stimulant dose for cats and dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/calculators-clinical-tools/mirtazapine-appetite-stimulant-dose-for-cats-and-dogs-guide). ## Maropitant for Cats Dose: Who Decides and How It Is Given ### The dose is not yours to calculate Your veterinarian calculates the maropitant dose from your cat's body weight, the reason for treatment, and your cat's overall health. Dose numbers that appear in research settings are not home instructions, and they should never be copied from a study or a website. For context on how veterinarians think about it, published feline research has used maropitant at 1 mg/kg given intravenously in healthy cats before anesthesia [7], and a compounded transdermal product was studied at 4 mg per cat once daily applied to the inner ear for five days [4]. These are research protocols, not dosing advice for your cat at home. ### Maropitant for cats oral use Cerenia comes as tablets and as an injectable solution [4]. The injectable form is given by a veterinarian, usually in the clinic. The tablet form is what most owners give at home. A few practical points about oral use: - Give the tablet exactly as prescribed, with or without food unless your veterinarian says otherwise. - If your cat is actively vomiting, a pill may come right back up. Call your veterinarian, because an injectable dose in the clinic may work better that day. - Do not crush, split, or hide the tablet in a new food without asking first. A sudden food change can upset a queasy stomach. - A compounded transdermal form applied to the ear has been studied in cats, but compounded products vary in quality and are not the same as the FDA-approved tablet [4]. Ask your veterinarian before using one. ### What to do about a missed dose If you miss a dose, give it when you remember, unless it is almost time for the next one. In that case, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Never double up to make up for a missed pill. If you are unsure, call your veterinary clinic and ask. ## Maropitant for Cats Side Effects Most cats handle maropitant well, and serious problems are uncommon. Still, watch your cat closely, especially after the first dose. | Side effect | How common or serious | What to do | |---|---|---| | Vomiting or retching | Uncommon, usually mild | Note the timing and call your veterinarian if it continues | | Drooling, lip licking, nausea behaviors | Uncommon, usually mild | Mention it at your next visit, call sooner if it worsens | | Sleepiness or sedation | Possible, generally mild | Keep your cat quiet and watch her breathing and alertness | | Injection site reaction | Possible with injectable form | Report swelling, pain, or redness to your veterinarian | | Signs of slowed gut movement (reduced peristalsis) | Seen in a dog study, relevance to cats unclear | Call your veterinarian if your cat stops eating, vomits repeatedly, or seems bloated [1] | | Severe allergic reaction (facial swelling, hives, trouble breathing) | Rare but serious | Treat as an emergency and seek care right away | One study in healthy dogs found that maropitant significantly decreased the rate of peristalsis in the stomach and jejunum without changing intestinal diameter or wall thickness [1]. That study was done in dogs, not cats, so it does not prove the same thing happens in your cat. It is still a reasonable reason to call your veterinarian if your cat seems uncomfortable or bloated after a dose. Sedation has been studied in cats too. In one trial, maropitant was given before anesthesia to see whether it changed sedation levels and propofol requirements [7]. If your cat seems unusually sleepy after a dose, that is worth a phone call. ## Who Should Not Take Maropitant and What It Interacts With Maropitant is a prescription drug, and your veterinarian decides whether it is appropriate. Tell your veterinarian about every medicine, supplement, and topical product your cat receives, including flea and tick preventives. If your cat uses a product like the one in our [Revolution Plus for cats dose guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/calculators-clinical-tools/revolution-plus-for-cats-selamectin-sarolaner-feline-dose-guide), mention it. Be especially clear about the following: - Any drug your cat takes for a chronic condition, including diabetes medicines. Our article on [drug interactions with antidiabetic medications in dogs and cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-pharmacology/drug-interactions-antidiabetic-medications-dogs-cats) explains why these combinations deserve a close look. - Any sedative or pain medicine, since maropitant has been studied alongside drugs that affect sedation and anesthesia [5][7]. - Any history of liver problems, since the liver processes this drug. - Pregnancy, breeding, or nursing status. - Any prior reaction to maropitant or to a related medicine. Do not start or stop any medication, including over-the-counter products, without checking with your veterinarian first. ## Overdose and When to Call for Help If your cat gets more maropitant than prescribed, call your veterinarian or a pet poison control hotline right away. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Signs that need immediate attention include: - Repeated vomiting that will not stop - Extreme sleepiness or trouble waking your cat - Trouble breathing, swelling of the face, or hives - Collapse, weakness, or a seizure - Refusing all food and water for more than a day Have the following ready when you call: your cat's weight, the strength of the tablets, how many were given, and when it happened. Keep the packaging nearby. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian Maropitant treats nausea and vomiting. It does not fix the underlying reason your cat is sick, and it will not help a cat who is not eating because of pain, dental disease, or another medical problem. If your cat's appetite does not improve after the nausea is controlled, that is a signal to look deeper. Call your veterinarian the same day if: - Your cat has vomited more than a few times in 24 hours - Your cat has not eaten in 24 hours, or a kitten has not eaten in 12 hours - Your cat is hiding, crying, or pressing her head against surfaces - You see blood in the vomit or stool - Your cat is drooling heavily or licking her lips constantly Go to an emergency clinic now if: - Your cat is struggling to breathe - Your cat collapses or cannot stand - Your cat's gums are pale, blue, or white - Your cat has a seizure - You suspect a large overdose Schedule a routine visit if your cat's appetite is slowly declining over days or weeks, if she is losing weight, or if vomiting keeps coming back after treatment ends. These patterns often point to a chronic condition that needs its own plan. Every cat is different, and only your own veterinarian can examine your cat, review her history, and decide what is safe for her. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Does maropitant really make cats eat more? It can, but only when nausea is what is holding your cat back. Maropitant blocks the nausea signal, so a queasy cat may return to her bowl once her stomach settles. It does not create hunger in a cat who is not eating for other reasons, which is why veterinarians sometimes choose a true appetite stimulant instead [3]. ### Is maropitant the same as an appetite stimulant like Entyce? No, they are different drugs with different jobs. Maropitant is an anti-vomiting medicine that can improve appetite by controlling nausea [1]. Mirtazapine is the classic feline appetite stimulant, and a transdermal form was approved for that purpose [3]. Your veterinarian will pick based on why your cat stopped eating. ### Can I give my cat maropitant at home? Yes, if your veterinarian prescribes the tablet form and shows you how to give it. The injectable form is typically given in the clinic [4]. Follow the label exactly, and never adjust the amount on your own. ### How long does it take to work? Many cats show less nausea and more interest in food within hours of a dose, though timing varies with the route used and the cause of the vomiting. If your cat is still vomiting or still refusing food after treatment, call your veterinarian instead of waiting it out. ### Can I use my dog's Cerenia on my cat? No. Even though the same drug is used in both species, the dose and the decision to use it depend on your cat's weight and health. Never share medication between pets or use a leftover prescription without asking your veterinarian first. ## Related Articles - [Mirtazapine Appetite Stimulant: Dose for Cats and Dogs Guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/calculators-clinical-tools/mirtazapine-appetite-stimulant-dose-for-cats-and-dogs-guide) - [Revolution Plus for Cats: Selamectin Sarolaner Feline Dose Guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/calculators-clinical-tools/revolution-plus-for-cats-selamectin-sarolaner-feline-dose-guide) - [Drug Interactions with Antidiabetic Medications in Dogs and Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-pharmacology/drug-interactions-antidiabetic-medications-dogs-cats) - [Can Cats Eat Valerian Root? Sedative Effect and Dosing](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-valerian-root-sedative-effect-and-dosing) - [Gabapentin For Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/gabapentin-for-cats) - [What Are the Side Effects of Cerenia for Dogs?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/cerenia-side-effects-dogs) - [Cerenia Tablets for Cats: Forms, Doses, and Limits](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/cerenia-tablets-cats-forms-doses) - [Cerenia for Cats: Side Effects and Dosing Basics](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/cerenia-cats-side-effects-dosage) - [Cerenia Nasal Drops and Injections for Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/cerenia-nasal-drops-injection-cats) ## References 1. [Maropitant Citrate Administration Significantly Decreases the Rate of Peristalsis in the Stomach and Jejunum and Does Not Significantly Alter Intestinal Diameter or Intestinal Wall Thickness in Healthy Adult Dogs](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42083426/). Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association, 2026. 2. [Receptor-Targeted Antiemetic Strategies in Cats: A Systematic Review and Intervention-Specific Meta-Analysis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42599757/). Veterinary medicine and science, 2026. 3. [FDA Approves Appetite Stimulant for Cats](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/cat-health-news/fda-approves-appetite-stimulant-cats). Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. 4. [Evaluation of the efficacy of transdermal administration of maropitant in managing vomiting in cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36589400/). Open veterinary journal, 2022. 5. [Evaluation of the antiemetic, sedative and analgesic effects of butorphanol and maropitant in combination with dexmedetomidine in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41405173/). The Veterinary record, 2025. 6. [Pharmacokinetics of maropitant citrate in Rhode Island Red chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) following subcutaneous administration](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35734891/). Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics, 2022. 7. [The effect of maropitant on sedation, propofol requirements, and cardiovascular function at induction of anesthesia in healthy cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42006945/). Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire, 2026. ## Further Reading - [Drugs That Affect Appetite in Monogastric Animals - Pharmacology (Merck Veterinary Manual)](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/pharmacology/systemic-pharmacotherapeutics-of-the-digestive-system/drugs-that-affect-appetite-in-monogastric-animals) - [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)