Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) · For Dogs

Metacam dosage reference for dogs (Meloxicam)

This page's standard weight-based reference is 0.1 mg per kg (0.05 mg per lb), with once daily recorded as the reference frequency. Use the calculator to see the arithmetic for your dog's weight, then confirm the indication, product, and actual dose with a veterinarian.

Onset: 1-2 hours
Duration: 24 hours
Class: Non-steroidal 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 and Loxicom) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used in veterinary medicine for osteoarthritis, post-surgical pain, and inflammation. Understanding the correct dosage, administration, and potential side effects of Meloxicam is critical for your dog’s safety and well-being.

A typical Meloxicam dose for dogs is around 0.1 mg/kg once daily, within a usual range of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg. Available forms include liquid suspension, tablet, and injectable.

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 Dogs

Enter your dog’s weight below to estimate the Meloxicam dose from the 0.1 mg/kg guideline. Your veterinarian may adjust it for your dog’s age, condition, and other medications, so treat the result as an educational starting point, not a prescription.

Dosage Calculator · 01

Enter your dog's weight

Quick Dosage Chart

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

Dosage Chart · 02

Metacam weight-based reference chart for dogs

Scroll sideways to see full table

Weight	Lower Reference	Standard Reference	Upper Reference	Frequency
5 lbs (2.3 kg)	0.23 mg	0.23 mg	0.46 mg	once daily
10 lbs (4.5 kg)	0.45 mg	0.45 mg	0.90 mg (1mg tablet)	once daily
15 lbs (6.8 kg)	0.68 mg	0.68 mg	1.4 mg	once daily
20 lbs (9.1 kg)	0.91 mg (1mg tablet)	0.91 mg (1mg tablet)	1.8 mg (2 × 1mg)	once daily
25 lbs (11.3 kg)	1.1 mg (1mg tablet)	1.1 mg (1mg tablet)	2.3 mg	once daily
30 lbs (13.6 kg)	1.4 mg	1.4 mg	2.7 mg	once daily
40 lbs (18.1 kg)	1.8 mg (2 × 1mg)	1.8 mg (2 × 1mg)	3.6 mg	once daily
50 lbs (22.7 kg)	2.3 mg	2.3 mg	4.5 mg	once daily
60 lbs (27.2 kg)	2.7 mg	2.7 mg	5.4 mg	once daily
70 lbs (31.7 kg)	3.2 mg (3 × 1mg)	3.2 mg (3 × 1mg)	6.3 mg	once daily
80 lbs (36.3 kg)	3.6 mg	3.6 mg	7.3 mg	once daily
90 lbs (40.8 kg)	4.1 mg (4 × 1mg)	4.1 mg (4 × 1mg)	8.2 mg (8 × 1mg)	once daily
100 lbs (45.4 kg)	4.5 mg	4.5 mg	9.1 mg (9 × 1mg)	once daily
120 lbs (54.4 kg)	5.4 mg	5.4 mg	10.9 mg (11 × 1mg)	once daily
150 lbs (68 kg)	6.8 mg (7 × 1mg)	6.8 mg (7 × 1mg)	13.6 mg	once daily

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 dog 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.

Embed this calculator on your site

Get a free Meloxicam dosage widget

Get embed code

Free forever. Works in any blog post or article. Adds a small "Powered by petdosagechart.com" credit at the bottom.

Width Theme

How to Give Meloxicam to Your Dog

Meloxicam liquid comes with a dosing syringe for precise measurement. Give with food to minimize stomach upset. The first dose may be a “loading dose” (0.2 mg/kg) followed by 0.1 mg/kg daily. Do not combine with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids. Regular blood work is recommended for long-term use.

It is generally recommended to give Meloxicam with food to help reduce stomach upset. It may interact with other NSAIDs, corticosteroids, aspirin, ACE inhibitors, and anticoagulants.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and soft stool. More serious side effects can occur, such as gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, kidney damage, liver toxicity, and jaundice.

Cautions · 12

When Metacam should be used with caution or avoided

Some dogs 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.

cats (not approved for repeat oral dosing)
dehydrated animals
use with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids
kidney or liver disease
bleeding disorders

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 dog's medications and supplements.

other NSAIDs

corticosteroids

aspirin

ACE inhibitors

anticoagulants

Calculator Limits · 14

When not to use this calculator

This calculator gives a general educational estimate for a healthy adult dog 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 dogs
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 dog's current, accurate weight
For combination products that contain additional active ingredients

Overdose · 15

Suspected overdose: what to do

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

Dark or tarry stools
Vomiting or vomiting blood
Yellowing of gums or eyes
Increased thirst or urination
Loss of appetite for more than 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked · 07

Questions about this medication

Is meloxicam safe for dogs?

Meloxicam is FDA-approved for dogs and is one of the most commonly prescribed NSAIDs for canine osteoarthritis. It is generally safe when used at the correct dose with veterinary supervision. Regular blood work is recommended for dogs on long-term therapy to monitor kidney and liver function.

What is the difference between meloxicam and carprofen?

Both are NSAIDs used for pain and inflammation in dogs. Meloxicam (Metacam) is given once daily as a liquid, making it easy to dose precisely. Carprofen (Rimadyl) is given as a flavored chewable tablet once or twice daily. Both are effective, and your vet will choose based on your dog's specific needs.

Can I give meloxicam to my cat?

While a single injectable dose of meloxicam is sometimes used in cats post-surgery, repeated oral dosing of meloxicam is NOT approved for cats in the US and carries a significant risk of kidney failure. Cats are much more sensitive to NSAIDs than dogs.

How long can a dog take meloxicam?

Meloxicam can be used long-term for chronic conditions like osteoarthritis. Dogs on long-term meloxicam should have blood work checked every 6-12 months to monitor kidney and liver function. Always use the lowest effective dose.

Use This Guide Safely · 08

What weight alone cannot tell you

The calculator performs one narrow job: it multiplies your dog'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: osteoarthritis, post-surgical pain, inflammation
Recorded forms: liquid suspension, tablet, injectable
Reference timing: once daily; onset 1-2 hours; 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

cats (not approved for repeat oral dosing); dehydrated animals; use with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids; kidney or liver disease; bleeding disorders.

Recorded interactions

other NSAIDs; corticosteroids; aspirin; ACE inhibitors; anticoagulants.

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

Related · 08

Related medications for dogs

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 0.1 mg per kg (0.05 mg per lb) of body weight, given once daily. The calculator multiplies that basis by your dog'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 dogs 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