Metacam (Meloxicam) Dosage for Cats

Meloxicam has a very narrow safety margin in cats compared to dogs. In the United States, it is only FDA-approved for a single subcutaneous injection in cats for post-operative pain. Repeated oral dosing carries a significant risk of acute kidney failure and death, especially in older cats or those with any degree of kidney compromise. In some countries (EU, Australia), low-dose oral meloxicam is approved for longer use in cats, but only at very low doses (0.05 mg/kg initially, then 0.025 mg/kg daily) and with careful monitoring. NEVER use the dog formulation or dog dosing in cats.

Cats metabolize meloxicam much more slowly than dogs, leading to drug accumulation with repeated dosing. Cats are also more susceptible to NSAID-induced kidney damage. Even a few days of inappropriately dosed meloxicam can cause irreversible kidney failure in cats. The feline kidney has a lower functional reserve, so any nephrotoxic insult can be catastrophic. This is why cat-specific formulations use much lower concentrations.

Long-term oral meloxicam use in cats is controversial and varies by country. In the EU and Australia, very low-dose oral meloxicam (0.025 mg/kg/day) is approved for chronic osteoarthritis in cats with regular kidney monitoring. In the US, this use is not FDA-approved, and the label carries a black box warning against repeated dosing. If your vet prescribes it long-term, ensure regular blood work every 3-6 months and report any decrease in appetite, water intake, or urination immediately.

Signs of meloxicam toxicity in cats include vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhea, loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination (early kidney damage), decreased urination (advanced kidney failure), lethargy, dark or tarry stools, and abdominal pain. If you notice any of these signs, stop the medication immediately and seek emergency veterinary care. Early intervention with IV fluids can sometimes prevent permanent kidney damage.

The cat-specific dose of meloxicam is 0.05 mg/kg as an initial dose, which may be reduced to 0.025 mg/kg for subsequent doses if continued. This is roughly 1/10th of the dog dose. NEVER use the dog oral suspension (1.5 mg/mL) for cats—always use the cat formulation (0.5 mg/mL) to avoid fatal overdose. For a 4 kg cat, the initial dose is only 0.2 mg. Always measure with the syringe provided with the cat formulation.