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PetDosageChart

Corticosteroid · For Dogs

Prednisone dosage reference for dogs (Prednisone)

This page's standard weight-based reference is 1 mg per kg (0.45 mg per lb), with once or twice daily (then tapered) 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
12-24 hours
Class
Corticosteroid

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.

Prednisone (often known by brand names such as Prednisone and Deltasone) is a corticosteroid commonly used in veterinary medicine for allergies, inflammation, immune-mediated diseases, Addison’s disease, and asthma. Understanding the correct dosage, administration, and potential side effects of Prednisone is critical for your dog’s safety and well-being.

A typical Prednisone dose for dogs is around 1 mg/kg once or twice daily (then tapered), within a usual range of 0.5-2 mg/kg. Available forms include tablet and liquid.

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.

Prednisone Dosage Calculator for Dogs

Enter your dog’s weight below to estimate the Prednisone dose from the 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 Prednisone amounts for common dog weights, for quick reference:

Dosage Chart · 02

Prednisone 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) 1.1 mg 2.3 mg 4.6 mg (5mg tablet) once or twice daily (then tapered)
10 lbs (4.5 kg) 2.3 mg 4.5 mg (5mg tablet) 9.0 mg (2 × 5mg) once or twice daily (then tapered)
15 lbs (6.8 kg) 3.4 mg 6.8 mg 13.6 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
20 lbs (9.1 kg) 4.5 mg (5mg tablet) 9.1 mg (2 × 5mg) 18.2 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
25 lbs (11.3 kg) 5.7 mg (5mg tablet) 11.3 mg 22.6 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
30 lbs (13.6 kg) 6.8 mg 13.6 mg 27.2 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
40 lbs (18.1 kg) 9.1 mg (2 × 5mg) 18.1 mg 36.2 mg (7 × 5mg) once or twice daily (then tapered)
50 lbs (22.7 kg) 11.3 mg 22.7 mg 45.4 mg (9 × 5mg) once or twice daily (then tapered)
60 lbs (27.2 kg) 13.6 mg 27.2 mg 54.4 mg (11 × 5mg) once or twice daily (then tapered)
70 lbs (31.7 kg) 15.8 mg (3 × 5mg) 31.7 mg 63.4 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
80 lbs (36.3 kg) 18.1 mg 36.3 mg 72.6 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
90 lbs (40.8 kg) 20.4 mg (4 × 5mg) 40.8 mg (8 × 5mg) 81.6 mg once or twice daily (then tapered)
100 lbs (45.4 kg) 22.7 mg 45.4 mg (9 × 5mg) 90.8 mg (18 × 5mg) once or twice daily (then tapered)
120 lbs (54.4 kg) 27.2 mg 54.4 mg (11 × 5mg) 108.8 mg (22 × 5mg) once or twice daily (then tapered)
150 lbs (68 kg) 34.0 mg (7 × 5mg) 68.0 mg 136.0 mg (27 × 5mg) once or twice daily (then tapered)

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

Prednisone 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.

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The Treatment Goal Changes the Dose Plan

Prednisone can be used for very different clinical goals, including inflammation control, immune suppression, and hormone replacement. The 1 mg/kg value shown here is one standard reference; weight alone cannot select the goal, course length, or taper. Two dogs at the same weight may therefore receive different veterinary instructions.

Do not restart leftover prednisone or change a taper because symptoms return. Abrupt changes after ongoing treatment can be harmful, while longer exposure can affect thirst, urination, appetite, infection risk, blood sugar, and other monitoring needs. The veterinarian needs to know the last dose and how long the drug has been used.

Combining prednisone with an NSAID or switching between them requires explicit veterinary direction because gastrointestinal and other risks can increase. Include over-the-counter pain products when you provide the medication list.

How to Give Prednisone to Your Dog

Give prednisone with food to reduce stomach upset. Never stop prednisone abruptly after long-term use — always taper gradually under veterinary guidance to allow your dog’s adrenal glands to resume normal function. Be aware that increased thirst, urination, and appetite are expected side effects.

It is generally recommended to give Prednisone with food to help reduce stomach upset. It may interact with NSAIDs (increased GI ulcer risk), insulin, vaccines (may reduce response), diuretics, and phenobarbital.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects include increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, panting, and restlessness. More serious side effects can occur, such as gastrointestinal ulceration, Cushing’s syndrome (with prolonged use), diabetes, immune suppression, and muscle wasting.

Cautions · 12

When Prednisone should be used with caution or avoided

Some dogs should not take Prednisone, 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 Prednisone.

  • systemic fungal infections
  • diabetes (relative)
  • GI ulceration
  • use with NSAIDs

Interactions · 13

Prednisone drug interactions

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

NSAIDs (increased GI ulcer risk)
insulin
vaccines (may reduce response)
diuretics
phenobarbital

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 Prednisone, 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:

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked · 07

Questions about this medication

What does prednisone do for dogs?
Prednisone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system. It is used to treat a wide range of conditions including allergies, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, asthma, and certain cancers. It provides rapid relief but has significant side effects with long-term use.
Can I stop giving my dog prednisone suddenly?
No. If your dog has been on prednisone for more than a few days, you must taper the dose gradually under veterinary supervision. Abrupt discontinuation can cause a dangerous adrenal crisis because the body's natural cortisol production shuts down during steroid use and needs time to restart.
Why is my dog drinking so much water on prednisone?
Increased thirst (polydipsia) and increased urination (polyuria) are among the most common and expected side effects of prednisone. This is a normal pharmacological effect of corticosteroids. Ensure your dog always has access to fresh water, and expect more frequent bathroom breaks.
How long can a dog stay on prednisone?
Short courses (1-2 weeks) are common and generally well-tolerated. Long-term use (months) is sometimes necessary for chronic conditions but increases the risk of serious side effects like Cushing's syndrome, diabetes, and immune suppression. Your vet will use the lowest effective dose and may try alternate-day dosing for long-term therapy.

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 Prednisone. It cannot decide whether this drug, indication, formulation, or schedule is appropriate for an individual animal.

Context in this medication record

Commonly listed uses
allergies, inflammation, immune-mediated diseases, Addison's disease, asthma
Recorded forms
tablet, liquid
Reference timing
once or twice daily (then tapered); onset 1-2 hours; duration 12-24 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

systemic fungal infections; diabetes (relative); GI ulceration; use with NSAIDs.

Recorded interactions

NSAIDs (increased GI ulcer risk); insulin; vaccines (may reduce response); diuretics; phenobarbital.

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.

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 1 mg per kg (0.45 mg per lb) of body weight, given once or twice daily (then tapered). 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