Gabapentin is an effective treatment for dogs and cats to calm an anxious brain. It is used as a treatment for neuropathic pain which speaks to its properties of dampening the nervous system from overreacting. With any oral behavioral medication, no two animals react the same way and each medication regimen must be fine tuned to each individual patient. We have recommended a starting dose for your pet, but if they are too sedate on this dose, we may need to decrease it or increase it if it did not achieve the desired effect. Side effects are mainly associated with sedation and loss of coordination, though vomiting is also sometimes seen. Some cats experience profound sedation which may last for 24 hours. If you notice these signs, please contact us for further recommendations and dose adjustments.