Is Mirtazapine (Remeron) Safe for Cats?
Why it’s conditional
Veterinarians regularly prescribe mirtazapine, including as a transdermal gel rubbed inside the ear, to help sick or aging cats eat. The drug itself is established feline medicine; the risk lies in unsupervised human tablets, whose strengths vastly exceed feline doses. An accidental dose can cause profound sedation and, with other medications, serotonin syndrome.
How to keep your pet safe
Use only the formulation your vet dispensed, and store all tablets in a closed cabinet. Never cut a human tablet for a cat or borrow a relative’s prescription. Keep the prescribing clinic informed of every other drug the cat receives.
Warning signs to watch for
Profound drowsiness, wobbliness, vomiting, dilated pupils, vocalizing, tremors, fast breathing or heartbeat.
When to call the vet
If a cat swallows a human mirtazapine tablet, call your vet or a pet poison hotline immediately with the strength and number of tablets. For prescribed use, report unusual sedation or agitation rather than skipping or doubling doses yourself. Never self-dose a cat to improve its appetite.
Common questions
Is mirtazapine safe for cats?
It is a widely used veterinary appetite stimulant, often as an ear gel, but only under veterinary direction. Human Remeron tablets are far stronger than feline doses and are dangerous unsupervised.
My cat ate one of my mirtazapine tablets — is that an emergency?
Treat it as one. A human tablet is a large dose for a cat and can cause deep sedation or serotonin syndrome. Call your vet or a pet poison hotline with the tablet strength right away.
More medications hazards for cats
This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate or touched something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. In the US: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 (fees may apply).