How much meloxicam can I give my dog?

In this article:

• Dosage for dogs
• How much meloxicam can I give my dog?
• Overdose
• Guidelines for administration

In this article

• Dosage for dogs
• How much meloxicam can I give my dog?
• Overdose
• Guidelines for administration

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) similar to but more powerful than ibuprofen and aspirin. Veterinarians use meloxicam to control pain, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility in dogs with osteoarthritis. Doses will vary depending on several factors, but in healthy dogs, the typical dose is 0.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (about 0.05 mg per pound). Doses are given once every 24 hours.

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Meloxicam dosage for dogs

The meloxicam canine dosage will vary primarily based on the dog’s weight. Other factors, such as the dog’s health or age, may require dose reductions, but the standard meloxicam dose for dogs is 0.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, given once by mouth every 24 hours. Converted to pounds, that’s 0.05 mg per pound. A tiny dog, such as a Chihuahua, might be given 0.02 mg daily, so caregivers must use a liquid form of meloxicam. A giant dog, like a Newfoundland, might end up taking doses as high as five milligrams daily. Caregivers may be able to use meloxicam tablets, but the liquid version allows for more precise dosing.

Some dogs require lower doses because of health conditions, particularly kidney and liver problems. Dogs with kidney problems are at risk of kidney damage or failure if the dose is too high. “Patients with kidney or liver dysfunction typically need to take lower doses … by as much as 25 to 50%,” explains Dr. Grant Little, DVM, a veterinarian expert on JustAnswer. Other dogs that may not need a full dose, he continues, are those who are overweight, older, or have metabolism issues.

Meloxicam can be prescribed for a few days to years, depending on why it’s needed and side effects. “For surgical conditions, it is usually prescribed around five to seven days at a time,” states Dr. Little. However, meloxicam can be taken for much longer, though. “For chronic conditions, it may be prescribed for life depending on the condition,” Dr. Little adds. Veterinarians typically taper the dose over the course of treatment to reach the lowest effective dose, so don’t be surprised if the veterinarian reduces it.

Is it okay for a dog to take meloxicam long-term? Yes, but meloxicam is a risky drug that can cause problems. “It can do long-term damage to internal organs such as the kidneys by reducing blood flow to the kidneys,” Dr. Little says. “It is recommended to do periodic blood work and urine screenings to monitor kidney function and other organs.”

Contraindications for the use of meloxicam include dogs with a known sensitivity to meloxicam. Additionally, the safety of its use hasn’t been established for dogs who are pregnant, lactating, younger than 6 months, or have bleeding disorders.

Additionally, dog owners should use caution when giving meloxicam to dogs with a GI ulcer, bleeding, heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease. Some medications shouldn’t be taken at the same time as meloxicam, either, such as other NSAIDs and corticosteroids. 

How much meloxicam can I give my dog?

Give your dog the prescribed dose. Never give the dog a larger dose than prescribed. Separate doses by 24 hours. Your veterinarian will prescribe a dose appropriate to the dog’s weight and health conditions. 

Overdose of meloxicam in dogs

A meloxicam overdose can cause serious and even life-threatening problems in a dog. “The main concern that arises is ulcers in the stomach,” Dr. Little says. This can lead to many serious side effects, he continues, such as intestinal bleeding, vomiting, nausea, and lack of appetite.

According to the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists (ACVP), clinical signs of meloxicam toxicity include: 

• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Melena (black, tarry stool)
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Involuntary muscle movements
• Seizures 

Kidney dysfunction and eventual kidney failure can occur if dogs are getting doses that are too high, and rarely if they’re given therapeutic doses over the long-term. 

Signs of kidney dysfunction include: 

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Loss of appetite or refusal to eat
• Fatigue
• Vomiting 

Getting too much meloxicam can be serious in dogs, so caregivers should stop the medication and call a veterinarian if they observe any side effects. Veterinarians “will help you through the next steps as they can vary based on each situation,” according to Dr. Chryle Bonk, DVM, a veterinarian working with Dogster.com.

If you suspect an overdose or the dog is showing signs of kidney dysfunction, call a veterinarian or take the dog to an emergency veterinary hospital. Treatment usually entails stomach protectants, fluid therapy, or other options, such as therapeutic plasma exchange.

Guidelines for administering meloxicam in dogs

Meloxicam is available in oral and intravenous formulations, but caregivers will only administer oral doses. These doses can be given as liquid meloxicam oral suspension, an oral spray, or tablets. Generally, veterinarians recommend giving dogs the oral suspension for safe administration, says Dr. Little.

So what should every caregiver know about giving meloxicam to their companion? Here are a few top-level, must-know tips:

• Follow all the directions given by the veterinarian and found in the client information sheet packaged with the medicine. This will show you how to administer either the oral suspension or oral spray.
• Give doses once every 24 hours. Do not give two doses within 24 hours.
• Give precisely the dose prescribed.
• Use meloxicam oral suspension for small dogs.
• Large dogs can be given oral suspension, oral spray, or tablets, but a veterinarian may recommend the oral suspension or spray for accurate dosing.
• Give doses with food. It’s easier on the dog. 
  • For liquid meloxicam suspension, veterinarians recommend mixing it with food.

How do I use the meloxicam oral suspension? 

The veterinarian has sent you home with the oral suspension. Here are some must-know tips for making sure the dog is dosed correctly:

• The veterinarian should tell you whether doses are to be given with the dropper or the dose syringe. Follow these instructions.
• Shake the bottle well before measuring out a dose.
• Only use the dropper bottle or oral syringe supplied with the medicine to measure and administer a dose.
• To ensure correct dosing, mix the liquid medicine with the dog’s meal.

How do I use the meloxicam dropper? 

The dropper that comes with the medicine allows caregivers to measure doses in drops. Since Metacam and generic meloxicam oral suspensions come in different dosage strengths, be aware of how many drops make a dose. Make sure to ask the veterinarian exactly how many drops to give your dog each day.

How do I use the meloxicam dosing syringe? 

The dosing syringe that comes with Metacam or generic meloxicam oral suspension typically measures doses by body weight, starting at 2 pounds for 0.5 mg/mL and 5 pounds for 1.5 mg/mL. When measuring a dose, round the dog’s weight down to the nearest pound.

How do I dose a very small dog? 

The veterinarian or vet tech should give you instructions. Always use the dropper if the dog weighs less than five pounds. You may overdose the dog with the dosing syringe. The dropper or the dosing syringe can be used to dose dogs weighing more than five pounds. Always mix the medicine with the dog’s food.

How do I dose a larger dog? 

Dogs weighing more than 10 pounds can take the dose in their mouth or have it mixed with food. A very large dog may be prescribed tablets. If so, ask a vet tech to demonstrate the correct technique for giving your dog tablets.

What if a dose is missed? 

So what happens when a pet owner forgets to give their dog a dose? Best practices say to talk to the vet, but the vet may suggest giving the missed dose at the next meal. In that case, “just be sure to wait for the appropriate time interval before giving another dose,” Dr. Bonk cautions. “You don’t want to double up on doses or give two doses in less than 24 hours.”

What happens when it comes time to stop meloxicam? 

If side effects are not a concern, don’t stop the meloxicam doses until consulting with the veterinarian. “If there’s a life-threatening disease being treated (autoimmune, Shar-Pei fever, etc.), then discontinuing it could be very risky and wouldn’t be advised without first consulting a veterinarian,” Dr. Little says. 

In most cases, meloxicam can typically be started or stopped without the necessity of a tapering-off period.