The effect of addition of chromium and nickel oxides on the physicochemical properties and performance of V2O5/ZrO2 catalysts was studied for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane. Addition of chromium oxide increased, whereas addition of nickel oxide lowered the activity. Selectivity for propene was lower for the doped catalysts. The selectivity was lowered by higher total acidity as well as the higher concentration of stronger acid sites in doped catalysts.