Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) · For Cats

Metacam dosage reference for cats (Meloxicam)

This page's standard weight-based reference is 0.05 mg per kg (0.02 mg per lb), with Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision recorded as the reference frequency. Use the calculator to see the arithmetic for your cat's weight, then confirm the indication, product, and actual dose with a veterinarian.

Onset: 30-60 minutes
Duration: 24 hours
Class: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)

Weight-based calculator estimate from the references listed on this page. This page has not been independently DVM-reviewed — see our methodology .

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your veterinarian before giving medication to your pet. Do not use this calculator for emergencies, overdoses, pregnancy, very young animals, very old animals, pets with liver/kidney disease, or pets taking multiple medications.

Each medication page lists the references recorded for its data. The calculator math and editorial presentation are maintained by PetDosageChart; a page is independently DVM-reviewed only when a named reviewer byline appears. See our methodology and limitations.

Meloxicam (often known by brand names such as Metacam, Loxicom, and Meloxidyl) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used in veterinary medicine for Acute post-operative pain (single injection), Osteoarthritis pain (limited, with extreme caution), Acute musculoskeletal pain, and Fever reduction. Understanding the correct dosage, administration, and potential side effects of Meloxicam is critical for your cat’s safety and well-being.

A typical Meloxicam dose for cats is around 0.05 mg/kg Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision, within a usual range of 0.025-0.1 mg/kg. Available forms include Injectable solution and Oral suspension (0.5 mg/mL cat formulation).

Calculator Warning: Use this only as an educational estimate. Your veterinarian may prescribe a different dose based on your pet’s condition, age, weight, other medications, and medical history.

Meloxicam Dosage Calculator for Cats

Enter your cat’s weight below to estimate the Meloxicam dose from the 0.05 mg/kg guideline. Your veterinarian may adjust it for your cat’s age, condition, and other medications, so treat the result as an educational starting point, not a prescription.

Dosage Calculator · 01

Enter your cat's weight

Quick Dosage Chart

Typical Meloxicam amounts for common cat weights, for quick reference:

Dosage Chart · 02

Metacam weight-based reference chart for cats

Scroll sideways to see full table

Weight	Lower Reference	Standard Reference	Upper Reference	Frequency
3 lbs (1.4 kg)	0.035 mg	0.070 mg	0.14 mg	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
4 lbs (1.8 kg)	0.045 mg	0.090 mg	0.18 mg	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
5 lbs (2.3 kg)	0.057 mg	0.11 mg	0.23 mg	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
6 lbs (2.7 kg)	0.068 mg	0.14 mg	0.27 mg	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
7 lbs (3.2 kg)	0.080 mg	0.16 mg	0.32 mg	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
8 lbs (3.6 kg)	0.090 mg	0.18 mg	0.36 mg	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
9 lbs (4.1 kg)	0.10 mg	0.20 mg	0.41 mg (0.5mg tablet)	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
10 lbs (4.5 kg)	0.11 mg	0.23 mg	0.45 mg (0.5mg tablet)	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
12 lbs (5.4 kg)	0.14 mg	0.27 mg	0.54 mg (0.5mg tablet)	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
14 lbs (6.3 kg)	0.16 mg	0.32 mg	0.63 mg	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
16 lbs (7.3 kg)	0.18 mg	0.36 mg	0.73 mg	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
18 lbs (8.2 kg)	0.20 mg	0.41 mg (0.5mg tablet)	0.82 mg	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
20 lbs (9.1 kg)	0.23 mg	0.46 mg (0.5mg tablet)	0.91 mg (2 × 0.5mg)	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision
25 lbs (11.3 kg)	0.28 mg	0.57 mg (0.5mg tablet)	1.1 mg	Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision

Parenthetical tablet amounts are arithmetic comparisons only. They do not account for scoring, release type, concentration, product labeling, or whether this medication is appropriate for an individual animal.

By Weight

Metacam reference by cat weight

Choose a common weight to open its optional reference page. Use the main medication calculator for a different exact weight.

Common-weight pages are convenience views of the same educational reference, not separate medical recommendations.

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How to Give Meloxicam to Your Cat

CRITICAL: Only use the cat-specific formulation (0.5 mg/mL oral suspension). Never use the dog formulation (1.5 mg/mL) as this can easily cause a fatal overdose. Use only the measuring syringe provided with the product. The oral suspension can be dripped onto food or given directly into the mouth. Always give with food to reduce stomach irritation. Ensure your cat is well-hydrated before and during treatment. If your cat stops eating or drinking, stop the medication immediately and contact your vet.

It is generally recommended to give Meloxicam with food to help reduce stomach upset. It may interact with Other NSAIDs (severely increased toxicity), Corticosteroids (increased GI ulceration risk), ACE inhibitors and diuretics (reduced kidney function), and Aminoglycoside antibiotics (increased nephrotoxicity).

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects include Decreased appetite, Vomiting, Diarrhea or soft stool, and Lethargy. More serious side effects can occur, such as Acute kidney failure (especially with repeated dosing), Gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, Liver damage, and Death (from renal failure with inappropriate chronic use).

Cautions · 12

When Metacam should be used with caution or avoided

Some cats should not take Metacam, or need a different dose and closer monitoring. Tell your veterinarian about your pet's full health history and every other medication or supplement they take before giving Metacam.

Pre-existing kidney disease or dehydration
Concurrent use of other NSAIDs or corticosteroids
Gastrointestinal ulceration history
Cats with heart failure or liver disease
Kittens under 6 weeks
Dehydrated or hypovolemic cats

Interactions · 13

Metacam drug interactions

Metacam can interact with other drugs. This list is not complete — always give your veterinarian a full list of your cat's medications and supplements.

Other NSAIDs (severely increased toxicity)

Corticosteroids (increased GI ulceration risk)

ACE inhibitors and diuretics (reduced kidney function)

Aminoglycoside antibiotics (increased nephrotoxicity)

Calculator Limits · 14

When not to use this calculator

This calculator gives a general educational estimate for a healthy adult cat at a known weight. Do not rely on it in these situations — talk to your veterinarian instead:

In an emergency, or after accidental ingestion or a suspected overdose
For pregnant or nursing pets
For very young or very old cats
For pets with liver disease, kidney disease, or another chronic illness
For pets taking several medications at once
When you are not sure of your cat's current, accurate weight
For combination products that contain additional active ingredients

Overdose · 15

Suspected overdose: what to do

If you think your cat had too much Metacam, or swallowed any medication by accident, act right away. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

Call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency animal hospital.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661

A consultation fee may apply to the poison hotlines. Have the medication packaging ready, and note how much your pet may have taken and when. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to.

When to Call the Vet

If your cat experiences any of the following, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately:

Vomiting, especially with blood or dark material
Loss of appetite lasting more than 12 hours
Increased thirst or changes in urination (increase or decrease)
Lethargy, weakness, or hiding behavior
Dark, tarry, or bloody stools

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked · 07

Questions about this medication

Is meloxicam safe 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.

Why is meloxicam dangerous for cats but not dogs?

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.

Can I give my cat meloxicam for arthritis long-term?

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.

What are the signs of meloxicam toxicity in cats?

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.

What is the correct meloxicam dose for cats?

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.

Use This Guide Safely · 08

What weight alone cannot tell you

The calculator performs one narrow job: it multiplies your cat's weight by the lower, standard, and upper mg/kg values recorded for Metacam. It cannot decide whether this drug, indication, formulation, or schedule is appropriate for an individual animal.

Context in this medication record

Commonly listed uses: Acute post-operative pain (single injection), Osteoarthritis pain (limited, with extreme caution), Acute musculoskeletal pain, Fever reduction
Recorded forms: Injectable solution, Oral suspension (0.5 mg/mL cat formulation)
Reference timing: Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision; onset 30-60 minutes; duration 24 hours

Individual checks a calculator cannot perform

Confirm the diagnosis and the reason this medication is being considered.
Match the exact product, concentration, route, and whether a tablet may be split.
Account for age, pregnancy, organ function, genetics, allergies, and prior reactions.
Review every prescription, over-the-counter product, and supplement your pet takes.

Recorded cautions

Pre-existing kidney disease or dehydration; Concurrent use of other NSAIDs or corticosteroids; Gastrointestinal ulceration history; Cats with heart failure or liver disease; Kittens under 6 weeks; Dehydrated or hypovolemic cats.

Recorded interactions

Other NSAIDs (severely increased toxicity); Corticosteroids (increased GI ulceration risk); ACE inhibitors and diuretics (reduced kidney function); Aminoglycoside antibiotics (increased nephrotoxicity).

These lists reproduce the structured record used by this page and may not be exhaustive. Show your veterinarian the product label and your cat's complete medication list before acting on a number.

Related · 08

Related medications for cats

Sources · 09

Sources & references

The structured medication record behind this page names the references below. The links open the publisher or official resource; they do not turn this page into a prescription for an individual animal.

Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — listed in this medication's source record.
Merck Veterinary Manual — listed in this medication's source record.
DailyMed label search for Meloxicam — check current product and formulation labels; some veterinary uses may be off-label.

Source names are shown at the record level; passage-level page and label citations are still being added. Read our methodology and limitations.

Transparency · 11

How this page was made

This page's structured medication record includes Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook among its source names. PetDosageChart applies the record's mg/kg values to the entered weight and presents the arithmetic result. A source record is not the same as an individualized prescription or an independent clinical review.

Sources cited: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
Merck Veterinary Manual
Calculator formula: Doses scale linearly from a standard basis of 0.05 mg per kg (0.02 mg per lb) of body weight, given Single dose; if repeated, only every 24 hours for maximum 3 days with veterinary supervision. The calculator multiplies that basis by your cat's weight and shows an arithmetic comparison with recorded tablet sizes. That comparison does not determine whether a tablet is scored, splittable, or appropriate for your pet.
Editorial owner: Prepared and maintained by the PetDosageChart editorial team, a software-led publisher and not a veterinary practice.
DVM review status: Not independently DVM-reviewed. A named reviewer and review date appear here only after a confirmed review.

More on our methodology and editorial process — how we source, calculate, and review cats dosage data.

Safety · 10

More resources

Pet Medication Safety Hub — What's safe, what's dangerous, and emergency signs
How we calculate dosages — Our sources, math, and review process
Printable emergency checklist — One-page reference for your fridge or first aid kit