Doxycycline for Dogs and Cats

Medically Reviewed by Joshua Conrad, PharmD on September 25, 2024
Written by Kathleen Claussen, DVM
5 min read

Doxycycline (Doxy 100, Doxirobe Gel, Vibramycinl) is a type of antibiotic used in dogs and cats to treat issues like gum disease, tick-borne diseases, and other infections caused by atypicalbacteria. It’s part of the tetracycline family of antibiotics. Only Doxirobe Gel is FDA-approved for use in animals to prevent and treat gum (periodontal) disease in dogs. 

Your veterinarian can prescribe doxycycline off label for your pet , which means for something it’s not FDA-approved to treat, because they can absorb it better, and it’s safer than other tetracycline antibiotics. 

Your vet might prescribe doxycycline for your pet for these bacterial infections: 

  • Kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica)
  • Tick-borne diseases (Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever)
  • Canine parvovirus
  • Leptospirosis in dogs
  • Gum (periodontal) disease in dogs
  • Wolbachia associated with heartworms in dogs
  • Feline infectious anemia (Mycoplasma hemofelis)

Doxycycline is available as a prescription from your veterinarian in different dosages. It comes in tablets, capsules, gel, and liquid. 

You can give your dog or cat doxycycline by mouth as a tablet, capsule, or liquid. It also comes in a gel you can apply inside the gums of your dog’s mouth. It’s also available as a shot given by your vet. It’s usually given every 12 hours. 

You should give doxycycline to your dog or cat with a small amount of food or treats, but not milk or cheese. Never give doxycycline tablets to your cat as a dry pill because it can get caught in their throat and cause sores or even a blockage.

Be sure to shake liquid medication well, and measure it correctly using a dosing dropper or syringe. And give liquid doxycycline to your pet slowly so they get the correct dose.

Always follow your veterinarian’s directions for giving medicines to animals. Tell them about any other medicines, vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies that you’re giving your dog or cat. Talk to your veterinarian before stopping any pet medicines.

There are several benefits for dogs and cats taking doxycycline:

  • It’s safe and effective against different bacterial infections.
  • Doxycycline can be used in pets with kidney disease.
  • It can treat viral and fungal infections.
  • The medicine starts working a few hours after your pet starts taking it.
  • Most pets have few side effects.

You and your veterinarian should watch to see if your pet’s infection improves. Call your veterinarian if your pet gets worse or doesn’t get better after taking doxycycline. Look for side effects of the medicine as well, like an upset stomach. 

Before starting your pet on doxycycline long-term, your vet might do bloodwork that they’ll recheck during your pet’s treatment. 

Doxycycline is usually safe for cats and dogs. The most common problem that pets have is an upset stomach. Side effects may also include:

  • Vomiting
  • Low or no appetite, especially in cats
  • Loose stool or diarrhea
  • Sensitivity to sunlight and sunburn, especially on hairless spots, like the nose
  • Liver damage
  • Injury to the esophagus from giving dry pills

If your dog or cat has any of these side effects, stop giving them the medicine and contact your veterinarian, especially if your cat stops eating. Your vet may want to switch to a different antibiotic. 

Don’t give your pet doxycycline if they’re allergic to it. And talk to your vet before giving it to pets that are pregnant or nursing.

If you think your pet is having a serious side effect, call your veterinary clinic right away. If it’s outside of regular office hours, contact a local emergency veterinary hospital or an animal poison control center. Note that extra fees may apply for emergency consultation.

You can reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

Using multiple medicines can sometimes change how your pet’s medicines work or increase your pet’s risk of serious side effects. Always tell your veterinarian about any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements that your pet takes.

Before giving doxycycline to your pet, tell your vet if they take: 

Aluminum, calcium, and magnesium. Products you can give your pet by mouth that have aluminum, calcium (including dairy products), or magnesium can decrease how their body absorbs doxycycline. To avoid giving a higher dose of doxycycline, give the doxycycline 1 to 2 hours before or after the product with the mineral.

Bismuth subsalicylate. Bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto Bismol) is used to treat diarrhea and to protect the lining of the stomach and intestines. If your pet takes bismuth subsalicylate and doxycycline together, they can’t absorb the antibiotic the way they should. Give the antibiotic first, then wait at least 2 hours before giving bismuth subsalicylate, or give the bismuth subsalicylate first, then wait at least 6 hours before giving the antibiotic.

Kaolin/pectin. Kaolin/pectin (Kaopectolin, Kao-Pec, Kao-Pect) is used to treat diarrhea in dogs and cats. But it also affects how well their body can absorb doxycycline when they take them together. To avoid a higher dose of doxycycline, give the doxycycline 1 to 2 hours before or after the kaolin/pectin.

Other antibiotics. Your vet likely won’t prescribe doxycycline along with antibiotics like aminoglycosides, cephalosporin, and penicillin. 

Phenobarbital. Phenobarbital is a medicine used to reduce the number and severity of seizures in dogs and cats. But it can interfere with how well  doxycycline works, so your vet might have to prescribe a higher dose of the antibiotic. 

 Proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) or pantoprazole (Protonix), reduce acids in your pet’s stomach. This can make absorbing doxycycline in their blood harder, and make it less able to clear an infection.

Sucralfate. Sucralfate (Carafate) is used to treat ulcers in the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines in dogs. It can decrease the amount of doxycycline that your pet’s blood can absorb when they’re given together, so give sucralfate at least 2 hours after you give your pet doxycycline. 

Warfarin. Warfarin is a blood thinner commonly used to prevent blood clots from forming. If your pet takes warfarin and doxycycline together, they’re at risk of bleeding and should be closely monitored by your veterinarian.

Zinc. Zinc is a mineral that is used to reduce copper toxicity in dogs and treat some liver and skin issues in dogs and cats. It can make doxycycline less effective when the two meds are taken at the same time. Give zinc at least 2 hours after you give your pet doxycycline. 

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with doxycycline. Always check with your veterinarian.

Keep doxycycline out of the reach of children. Wash your hands after giving doxycycline to your pet. Don’t handle doxycycline if you’re allergic.

Doxycycline can be toxic to your pet in high doses. It can cause tiredness, make vomiting or diarrhea worse, and make pets lose their appetite. If you think your pet has swallowed more doxycycline than prescribed, call your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic right away. 

If you missed a dose of your pet’s medication, give them the dose if it’s close to the scheduled time, but skip it if it’s closer to the next dosing time. Give them the correct dose next time. Don’t double it.

Store doxycycline tablets away from light and at room temperature. Keep liquid in the refrigerator for up to 14 days before throwing away any medicine you don’t use.