Budesonide for Cats: How It Works—and How It Compares to Other IBD Medications

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in cats is a chronic condition that takes an emotional toll on both the feline patient and their devoted pet parent. Managing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss can feel overwhelming, not to mention the effects on your cat’s comfort and health. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options to manage IBD in cats.

Among them, budesonide is a trusted steroid therapy that targets the GI tract directly, making it  a go-to option when minimizing systemic side effects is important. Whether used alone or alongside other therapies, budesonide is a low-risk option for managing your cat’s GI inflammation. Budesonide for cats was actually one of Mixlab’s most commonly dispensed medications in 2024, underscoring its clinical value in feline IBD care.

Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats

IBD is not a single disease but rather a syndrome, which means it encompasses a group of symptoms caused by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. This persistent inflammation is the body’s natural immune response to long-standing irritation in the digestive tract. 

Over time, inflammatory cells can cause the lining of the stomach or intestines to thicken, making it harder for the GI tract to absorb nutrients and move food efficiently. In turn, cats may experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms, such as:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Frequent hairballs (more than once per month)

The symptoms and severity of IBD can vary widely from one cat to another. While the exact cause of IBD in cats is often unclear, possible factors include bacterial or parasitic infections, immune system dysregulation or food intolerances or allergies—especially to specific proteins. 

An Overview: What is Budesonide for Cats with IBD?

Budesonide is a corticosteroid originally developed to treat conditions like IBD and asthma in humans. What makes budesonide unique—and particularly effective for cats with IBD—is its ability to offer localized anti-inflammatory action within your cat’s GI tract, with minimal systemic absorption. 

In other words, it targets the inflammation right where it happens, without the widespread side effects often seen with other steroids. These can include increased thirst, frequent urination or behavioral changes.

Available Forms

Budesonide for cats is available from Mixlab as a capsule, tablet, oral liquid, transdermal gel or in chew treat form. For cats who struggle with traditional medications, budesonide is available in our MICROmix™ chew, the smallest size possible (3.2 mm x 4.6 mm), or a MINI Tablet. These tiny, easy-to-administer formats help reduce stress and make daily medication a breeze. Our oral suspension and transdermals are also two very popular forms among cats.

At Mixlab, we know that giving medication to your cat isn’t always easy, especially if they don’t like taking pills. Our compounding pharmacy’s wide range of customizable budesonide forms make treatment easier for both you and your cat.

Proper Dosage and Administration

The human doses for budesonide are often too high and not appropriate for cats. Our compounded formulations at Mixlab allow for precise dosing for your feline family member. With help from your veterinarian, we can compound the exact dose needed to treat your pet.

Potential Side Effects

One of budesonide’s biggest advantages is its low risk of systemic side effects. Because of this, budesonide is generally well-tolerated in cats. However, when administered in high doses or over long periods of time, budesonide may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. Regular check-ins with your veterinarian will ensure the medication is doing its job safely.

How Budesonide Compares to Other Cat IBD Medications

Budesonide for cats with IBD is just one of several tools veterinarians may use to help manage this condition. Depending on the severity of your cat’s symptoms and their response to therapy, your veterinarian may recommend it alone or alongside other medications. You should closely monitor your cat while taking IBD medications, report any potential side effects to your veterinarian and attend any recommended follow-up appointments.

Other Corticosteroids

Prednisolone

This is another commonly prescribed corticosteroid for cats with IBD. It’s widely used to manage IBD symptoms in cats and is available from Mixlab in capsules, tablets, oral liquid, transdermal gel or chew treats.

Immunosuppressants

Chlorambucil

This immunosuppressive agent may be prescribed when corticosteroids alone don’t provide enough relief for your cat. Often used in combination with steroids, chlorambucil helps reduce inflammation by slowing down the immune system’s overactivity. Chlorambucil is available from Mixlab in capsule, tablet, oral liquid and chew treat forms.

Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine inhibits the activity of T-cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in your cat’s immune system. Since T-cells are one of the key drivers of this inflammation, cyclosporine may be prescribed for more severe or steroid-resistant cases. It’s available from Mixlab as a capsule, oral liquid or chew treat.

Sulfasalazine

This medication can be particularly effective for cats with colitis, or inflammation of the colon. It’s converted in the colon to an anti-inflammatory compound. While effective, it’s typically used with caution in cats due to their sensitivity to salicylates. When prescribed, it’s available from Mixlab in several forms, including capsules, tablets, oral liquid and chew treats.

Antibiotics

Metronidazole

This antibiotic is often used in cases of antibiotic-responsive enteropathy, a type of chronic intestinal inflammation that can mimic or overlap with IBD. In these situations, metronidazole works by targeting anaerobic bacteria while also offering mild immunosuppressive effects in the digestive tract. It’s usually used short-term due to potential side effects.

Metronidazole is available from Mixlab in capsules, tablets, transdermal gels, plus flavored oral liquids and chew treats. Chicken, tuna, bacon and beef are our most popular flavors in both forms, along with marshmallow flavoring that can help mask the bitterness in an oral liquid.

Tylosin

Also used in cats with antibiotic-responsive enteropathy, this macrolide antibiotic provides both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits. More suitable for long-term use than metronidazole, this medication is often prescribed for ongoing management and comes in capsules, oral liquid and chew treats from Mixlab.

Additional Supportive Strategies for Cats with IBD

Beyond budesonide for cats and other IBD medications, a holistic plan often yields the best results for managing this chronic condition. Here are additional supportive strategies your veterinarian may recommend:

• Vitamin B12: Cats with IBD frequently experience B12 deficiency due to poor absorption in their small intestines. Low B12 levels can lead to fatigue, weight loss and worsening GI symptoms. Supplements, often through oral forms or periodic injections, can improve your cat’s energy levels, appetite and overall GI function.
• Antithrombotics: In more advanced cases of IBD, cats may rarely develop protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), where essential proteins like albumin are lost through their inflamed intestines. This condition can increase the risk of blood clots. To counter this, your veterinarian may prescribe antithrombotic medications such as low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel to help prevent clot formations.
• Vitamin D: When intestinal inflammation interferes with the absorption of nutrients, calcium and vitamin D levels can drop. This sometimes leads to hypocalcemia, or low calcium in the blood. Your veterinarian may recommend vitamin D supplements or calcitriol, an active form of vitamin D, to help your cat’s body regulate calcium levels and support long-term bone health.
• Probiotics: These beneficial bacteria that can help restore the natural balance of your cat’s gut microbiome. Research shows probiotics may support cat gut health by reducing inflammatory markers and increasing fecal antioxidants, among other advantages. Some veterinarians recommend them as part of a long-term maintenance plan for IBD, especially during or after your cat completes antibiotic therapy.
• Deworming: Even if fecal tests come back negative, broad-spectrum deworming is often advised for cats with chronic GI symptoms. Some parasites can be missed in routine testing but still cause or contribute to GI inflammation. Deworming ensures that hidden parasitic infections aren’t adding to your cat’s IBD burden.
• Dietary Changes: Talk with your veterinarian about dietary options, such as novel protein diets (like rabbit or venison), hydrolyzed protein diets, high-fiber diets or homemade elimination diets. It’s important to follow diet trials strictly—meaning no treats or table scraps—so that results are accurate and meaningful.

Relief Awaits: Budesonide for Cats Delivered to Your Doorstep

Managing a chronic illness like IBD is no easy task, but Mixlab is here to make the journey smoother for you and your cat. When it comes to budesonide for cats and other IBD medications, we provide easy-to-administer forms—from flavored chews and suspensions to transdermals. No more struggling with your cat during medication time.

Plus, we offer fast, free next-day delivery on new orders, so you’ll always have the medication you need when you need it. Simply submit your prescription online or get in touch with our friendly support team. We're here to guide you through every step of the process, so you can focus on what matters most: helping your cat feel better.