VETINUITY
At what blood pressure do you start amlodipine?
The 2018 ACVIM consensus treats a systolic pressure of 160 mmHg or more with target organ damage, or a persistent 180 mmHg or more without it, aiming below 160 mmHg.
● ANSWER
Sourced & dated
What is the amlodipine dose for dogs and cats?
Amlodipine for systemic hypertension is 0.625 mg per cat (1.25 mg for cats over 5 kg or with SBP of 200 or more) PO once daily, and 0.1-0.5 mg/kg PO once daily in dogs, usually alongside an ACE inhibitor or ARB.
● VETINUITY AMLODIPINE DOSE CALCULATOR
Vetinuity amlodipine dose calculator
Once-daily doses. Cats are usually dosed per cat: 0.625 mg, or 1.25 mg over 5 kg or with SBP of 200 mmHg or more.
● WHAT'S DOCUMENTED
Vetinuity’s amlodipine dose table: hypertensive cats start on 0.625 mg per cat by mouth once daily (1.25 mg if over 5 kg or if systolic pressure is 200 mmHg or more), roughly 0.125-0.25 mg/kg, and dogs start at 0.1 mg/kg once daily and are titrated up to 0.5 mg/kg, usually on top of an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker. The Vetinuity amlodipine dose calculator above converts both to milligrams so you can pick a tablet fraction. Brian Toncray, DVM, an emergency veterinarian, put this table into Vetinuity, the clinical assistant he built, because hypertensive retinal detachments walk into the ER.
Amlodipine doses
| Situation | Dog | Cat | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting dose | 0.1-0.25 mg/kg | 0.625 mg per cat (about 0.125-0.25 mg/kg) | PO q24h |
| Severe hypertension (SBP 200 mmHg or more) or larger cat | Titrate toward 0.5 mg/kg | 1.25 mg per cat | PO q24h |
| Inadequate response after 7-10 days | Increase in steps, add or optimize ACEi/ARB | Increase to 1.25 mg, then up to 2.5 mg per cat | PO q24h |
Cats and dogs respond differently
In cats amlodipine is the first-line antihypertensive and works well alone; in the chewable-tablet trial, cats on amlodipine had a far better blood pressure response than cats on placebo. Dogs are less responsive, and because amlodipine activates the renin-angiotensin system, the ACVIM panel pairs it with an ACE inhibitor or ARB in dogs, particularly when proteinuria is present. Recheck blood pressure 7 to 10 days after starting or changing the dose, and look at the retinas.
Cautions
Hypotension is uncommon at these doses but watch for lethargy and weakness after a dose increase. Dogs on long courses can develop gingival hyperplasia that regresses when the drug is stopped. Treat the cause too: chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes drive most secondary hypertension. Tablets are 2.5, 5 and 10 mg, so small doses need splitting or compounding.
Related: furosemide, pimobendan, and the kidney injuries on the lily and grape pages.
● SOURCES
- 1. Acierno MJ, Brown S, Coleman AE, et al. ACVIM consensus statement: Guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32(6):1803-1822. PMID 30353952. Treatment thresholds, targets and drug doses. Checked 2026-10-26.
- 2. Huhtinen M, Derré G, Renoldi HJ, et al. Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of a chewable formulation of amlodipine for the treatment of hypertension in client-owned cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2015;29(3):786-793. PMID 25857394. Abstract, dosing and response. Checked 2026-10-26.
● RELATED ANSWERS
- Furosemide (Lasix, Salix) Dose for Dogs and Cats
Furosemide for acute congestive heart failure is 2 mg/kg IV or IM in dogs and 1-2 mg/kg in cats, repeated hourly to effect, then about 2 mg/kg PO q12h in dogs and 1 mg/kg PO q12-24h in cats at home.
- Pimobendan (Vetmedin) Dose for Dogs and Cats
Pimobendan is dosed at 0.25-0.3 mg/kg PO every 12 hours in dogs (0.5 mg/kg/day total on the label), and extra-label at about 0.625-1.25 mg per cat every 12 hours in cats with heart failure.
- Lily Toxicity in Cats: Time and Fluid Management
Suspected true-lily or daylily exposure in a cat requires urgent veterinary assessment because renal injury can follow; early treatment matters before kidney dysfunction develops.
- Grape and Raisin Toxicity in Dogs: Treatment
More than one grape or raisin per 4.5 kg can carry enough tartaric acid to injure the kidneys: induce emesis in a normal dog, run IV fluids for at least 48 hours, and follow creatinine for 72 hours.
● FAQ
Does transdermal amlodipine work in cats?
It is absorbed less reliably than the oral form. Use it when pilling is impossible and confirm the effect with repeat blood pressure readings.
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