Why choose Bonqat®?
Predictability, not compromise.
Acute fear and anxiety around travel and veterinary visits is common in cats and can significantly affect welfare, handling, and the success of clinical examinations.
While gabapentin has historically been used off-label in these situations, variability in dosing, onset and duration can create uncertainty – particularly when timing matters.
Bonqat® was developed specifically to address this scenario, providing a licensed, feline-appropriate option with defined dosing and pharmacokinetics.
Formulated for cats
- Predictable onset – administer 1.5 hours before travel or the appointment
- Precise dosing – 5 mg/kg (0.1 ml/kg), no loading dose required
- Palatable oral solution – formulated for cats, reducing administration stress
- Duration aligned to the visit – effects that cover travel, examination and recovery
- Assessed for feline use – safety and efficacy evaluated specifically in cats
Supporting responsible prescribing
Under the Cascade, a licensed veterinary medicine authorised for the condition and species should be used when available.
Bonqat® is licensed in cats for anxiety associated with transport and veterinary visits, with safety and efficacy assessed and approved by the VMD.
Choosing a licensed option helps reduce uncertainty, supports responsible prescribing, and provides reassurance for both the prescribing vet and the pet owner.
Bonqat® FAQs
Please click on the triangles to expand and view the answers.
What is the onset time and duration of effect?
Bonqat is administered orally as a single dose of 5 mg/kg (0.1 ml/kg) approximately 90 minutes before the stressful event. The effect of the veterinary medicinal product can last approximately 7 hours.
What are the storage requirements of Bonqat®?
Bonqat has a shelf life of 3 years. Once opened, Bonqat has a shelf life of 6 months. The bottle should be stored in a refrigerator, but may be stored for short periods of time at or below 25°C. Bonqat is a Schedule III drug.
Can Bonqat® be administered with food?
Bonqat® can be administered either directly into the mouth or mixed with a small amount of food. Large amounts of food may delay the onset of effect. The small dosing volume and flavoured oral solution will aid with administration. In clinical trials, 79% owners found it easy to give Bonqat directly into the cat’s mouth, and compliance was good in 95% of cats.*
Can you administer Bonqat® before sedation or anaesthesia?
As Bonqat® is licenced for vet visits, it is likely that some cats could require follow-on sedation or anaesthesia. As the use of other central nervous depressants can potentiate the effects of pregabalin, appropriate dose adjustments should be made. The decision to use Bonqat® before sedation or anaesthesia should be based on a risk:benefit assessment adapted to each individual patient. In the clinical trial, seven cats in the Bonqat group (fourteen in the placebo group) required sedation with no issues reported. The clinical study for Bonqat® is open access. *
Can Bonqat® be prescribed without seeing the cat?
The decision to prescribe Bonqat® without seeing the cat will be case dependent and should be based on a risk:benefit assessment by the prescribing clinician. In the interest of animal welfare, prescription of Bonqat® could be justified, and this should be documented within the patient’s clinical notes. We refer you to the under-care guidance provided by the RCVS. https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/under-care-new-guidance/
Does Bonqat® affect the clinical examination?
Similar to gabapentin, pregabalin may influence certain aspects of the clinical exam, so this should be considered during assessment.
In terms of mobility, most cats maintained normal activity levels and were able to stand and walk normally during the clinical trials. There were no clinically relevant changes observed in routine lab parameters. Because pregabalin has analgesic properties, it may influence pain assessment during the exam. In terms of physiological parameters, occasional reductions in body temperature and heart rate were noted, with minor changes in blood pressure, although values generally remained within normal physiological ranges.*
Of course, stress can also affect physiological parameters (such as heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure) and pain scoring.
How does Bonqat® work?
Pregabalin binds to the auxiliary subunit (alpha2-delta protein) of voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system, thereby reducing the release of various neurotransmitters (glutamate and monoaminergic neurotransmitters) and producing its anxiolytic effect.
Is Bonqat® really that much more expensive?
The perception of cost difference between Bonqat® and gabapentin is understandable when looking at pack price alone.
However, once realistic dispensing fees, preparation time, wastage, and repeat dosing are considered, the difference is often far smaller than expected.
Use the calculator below to explore a like-for-like comparison based on your own practice fees.
Complete the two fields below to see how they measure up – the results might surprise you!
| Per 5 doses / tabs | Owner Price (Average markup) | Dispensing fee(s) | Total cost to owner (minus VAT) |
|---|
A second dose of gabapentin may be required, (for example the evening before, and the morning of the appointment) and this may incur additional costs.
LP = List price
* List price detailed on 1st Feb 2026, Dômes Pharma & Bova
The above table compares the price of 1 x 2ml bottle Bonqat® (5 doses) to 5 x individual doses of gabapentin dispensed separately
The Anxiety Range
Fluoxevet®
Tessie®
Bonqat®
Sileo®
- *Lamminen T, Korpivaara M, Aspegrén J, Palestrini C, Overall KL. Pregabalin Alleviates Anxiety and Fear in Cats during Transportation and Veterinary Visits—A Clinical Field Study. Animals. 2023; 13(3):371.