Metacam (Meloxicam) Dosage Calculator for Dogs by Weight
Dose ranges on this page are published veterinary references for education only. Your veterinarian's prescribed dose always wins. When in doubt, call your vet first.
Meloxicam — sold for dogs as Metacam (also generic) — is a once-daily non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) veterinarians commonly prescribe for osteoarthritis pain and inflammation, and for post-surgical pain. The published label dose is a 0.2 mg/kg loading dose on the first day, then a 0.1 mg/kg maintenance dose once daily.
Use the calculator below to see the conservative maintenance range (0.1 mg/kg once daily) for your dog's weight, convert it to the 1.5 mg/mL oral suspension or chewable tablets, and read the NSAID safety checklist. Meloxicam is for dogs only — repeated use in cats is linked to kidney failure and death, so never give it to a cat.
Dose calculator
Dosage chart by weight
| Dog weight | Dose range per dose |
|---|---|
| 5 lb | 0.2 mg |
| 10 lb | 0.5 mg |
| 15 lb | 0.7 mg |
| 20 lb | 0.9 mg |
| 30 lb | 1.4 mg |
| 40 lb | 1.8 mg |
| 50 lb | 2.3 mg |
| 60 lb | 2.7 mg |
| 80 lb | 3.6 mg |
| 100 lb | 4.5 mg |
Chart uses the same conservative range as the calculator (0.1 mg per kg of body weight, once daily (maintenance)). Always confirm with your veterinarian.
Common formulations
- Oral suspension (1.5 mg/mL) — 7.5 mg / 5 mL
Ships with a dosing syringe calibrated to the maintenance dose - Chewable tablets, 1 mg — 1 mg tablets
Flavored; maintenance dose for a ~10 kg dog - Chewable tablets, 2.5 mg — 2.5 mg tablets
Flavored; maintenance dose for a ~25 kg dog — can be halved
Use the calculator above to convert any of these sizes into an amount for your pet's weight.
How often to give it
Once daily (every 24 hours). 0.1 mg per kg of body weight, once daily (maintenance).
Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with your vet's plan. The first-day dose is usually double (0.2 mg/kg) — your vet sets that loading dose; the calculator shows the ongoing maintenance dose.
Common veterinary uses
- Osteoarthritis pain and inflammation (the labeled use)
- Acute musculoskeletal pain, vet-directed
- Post-operative pain and inflammation, vet-directed
Safety warnings
Possible side effects
- Loss of appetite or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Dark or tarry stools (stop and call your vet — possible GI bleeding)
- Increased drinking or urination
- Rarely: pale or yellow gums, incoordination, weakness
- Prescription only. Your vet's prescribed dose overrides everything on this page.
- Never combine meloxicam with other NSAIDs (carprofen, deracoxib, firocoxib) or with steroids — a vet-directed washout period (often 1–2 weeks) is standard before switching.
- If vomiting, diarrhea, or appetite loss last more than a day or two, stop the drug and call your vet — the vast majority of NSAID reactions reverse when caught early.
- Serious NSAID reactions can occur without warning in rare cases. Owners should be told what to watch for — that is what this page is for.
Do not use (or ask your vet first)
- Dogs under 6 months old (conservative label cutoff)
- Dogs under ~4 kg unless your vet directs — accurate dosing gets hard
- Pregnant or nursing dogs
- Dehydrated or very recently ill dogs
- Dogs with kidney, liver, or heart disease, GI ulcers, or bleeding disorders
- Dogs taking other NSAIDs or corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone) — washout required
- Cats — never; repeated use is linked to acute kidney failure and death
When to see a veterinarian
- Vomiting or diarrhea that persists beyond a day or two after starting
- Black, tarry stools, blood in stool or vomit — stop the drug and call immediately
- Noticeable changes in drinking, urination, appetite, or energy
- Pale gums, yellowing of gums or eyes, weakness, or incoordination
- No improvement after about 10 days — treatment should be reassessed
- Your dog takes any other medication — check interactions first
Frequently asked questions
What is the meloxicam dose for dogs?
The published label dose is 0.2 mg/kg once on the first day, then 0.1 mg/kg once daily for maintenance. The calculator above shows the 0.1 mg/kg maintenance dose — the conservative, ongoing end. Your vet sets the first-day loading dose.
How long does meloxicam take to work in dogs?
A clinical response is usually seen within 3–4 days. If there is no improvement after about 10 days, treatment should be discontinued and reassessed by your vet.
What if I miss a dose of meloxicam?
Give it when you remember, unless it is close to the next dose — then skip it and resume the normal schedule. Never give two doses within the same 24-hour period.
Can I give meloxicam with other pain medication?
Not other NSAIDs and not corticosteroids like prednisone — combining them raises the risk of GI ulcers and kidney damage. Switching between NSAIDs normally requires a vet-directed washout of about 1–2 weeks.
Is meloxicam safe for cats?
No — not for routine home use. Repeated oral meloxicam in cats has been associated with acute kidney failure and death. Cats receive at most a single dose in a vet hospital. Never give your dog's prescription to a cat.
Sources
- GoodRx Pet Health — Meloxicam for Dogs (veterinarian-reviewed)
- Drugs.com — Meloxicam Oral Suspension (veterinary label, Rx-only)
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Dose ranges on this page are published veterinary references for education only. Your veterinarian's prescribed dose always wins. When in doubt, call your vet first.