PupkeeperToxic
Dog ate gabapentin and pregabalin? Toxic: what to do now
Toxic. Too much gabapentin makes dogs sleepy and wobbly, and some human liquid forms contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now
United States
Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, JM, PR, Singapore, Switzerland, TT, VI
Gabapentin and pregabalin and dogs: key facts
- Verdict
- Toxic · Call your vet or a poison line
- What it can do
- Sleepiness or low energy, wobbly, uncoordinated walking, vomiting and weakness or seizures if a liquid had xylitol.
- How fast
- Usually within 1 to 2 hours
- What to do now
- Call your vet or a pet poison line now. All steps
- Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA Animal Hospitals. Reviewed 9 October 2026.
What should I do if my dog ate gabapentin and pregabalin?
- Call your vet or a pet poison line now.
- If it was a liquid, check the label for xylitol and tell the vet.
- Keep the bottle and bring it with you.
Don't
- Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
- Never give your dog a human liquid medicine that contains xylitol.
- If your dog takes gabapentin for seizures, don't stop it suddenly.
Symptoms to watch for
- Sleepiness or low energy
- Wobbly, uncoordinated walking
- Vomiting
- Weakness or seizures if a liquid had xylitol
When signs appear: Usually within 1 to 2 hours
Why
Vets sometimes prescribe gabapentin for dogs, but higher doses cause sedation, and there is no antidote. The xylitol in some liquids is a bigger worry for very small dogs and large overdoses.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Toxicoses From Human Analgesics in Animals
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Gabapentin
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Xylitol Toxicosis in Dogs
Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.