Buspirone HCl

What is this medication for?

• Urine spraying/marking (primary use), inter-cat aggression, overgrooming
• Low-grade anxieties, fears, social phobias

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• Minimal overall — well tolerated
• Increased affection/friendliness (may be desired) (Common)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Increased aggression (paradoxical) (Uncommon)
• Bradycardia, stomach/intestinal upset, stereotypic behavior (Uncommon)

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Hypersensitivity to serotonin agonists
• has or has had: Severe hepatic/renal disease — use cautiously; use cautiously in aggressive animals (may reduce behavioral inhibition); caution in working dogs (less sedating than most anxiolytics but not zero)

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • MAO inhibitors (selegiline, amitraz)
  • Azole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), erythromycin, diltiazem, verapamil
  • Trazodone
  • SSRIs/other serotonergic agents

Storage and handling

Tight, light-resistant container, room temperature.

Good to know

• Takes a week or more to show effect — not suitable as a sole agent for acute/situational anxiety; pair with a fast-acting option (e.g., trazodone) if immediate calming is needed.
• Relatively inexpensive as human generics are widely available — a practical option for cost-conscious clients.
• Roughly half of treated cats respond for urine marking — set realistic expectations and consider it one tool among several (environmental modification, etc.), not a guaranteed fix.