Meloxicam (Metacam) for Dogs: Dosage, Side Effects & Safety
Last reviewed: September 2026
Day one is double every day after
Meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory for arthritis pain in dogs, given once daily as a liquid. The first dose is deliberately twice the ongoing dose, then it drops. Continuing at the day-one amount is the most common dosing error with this drug.
Meloxicam, Metacam, Loxicom: the Same Drug
Meloxicam is the drug; Metacam is the original brand. The same molecule is sold as Loxicom, OroCAM and Rheumocam among others, and the dosing and monitoring are identical across them. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), FDA-approved for controlling the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis in dogs.
Meloxicam Dosage Chart for Dogs
Unusually for a daily medication, the dose changes after the first day.
| When | Dose (mg/kg) | Dose (mg/lb) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 only | 0.2 mg/kg | 0.09 mg/lb | Loading dose — double the maintenance |
| Day 2 onwards | 0.1 mg/kg | 0.045 mg/lb | Once daily, ongoing |
The dosing syringe that comes with the bottle is marked in pounds, calibrated to the maintenance dose — so from day two you draw to your dog's weight, not to a millilitre figure. Dogs under 5 lbs are dosed with the dropper rather than the syringe. Measure by the markings rather than by eye; this is a liquid where a small volume error is a large dose error.
What It Must Never Be Combined With
This is the single most important safety point, because the conflicting drug is often already in the house. The label is explicit: meloxicam must not be given with other NSAIDs — aspirin, carprofen (Rimadyl), etodolac, deracoxib — or with steroids such as prednisone, cortisone, dexamethasone or triamcinolone.
Stacking them sharply increases the risk of stomach ulceration and kidney injury. The realistic scenario is not a vet prescribing both — it is an owner with leftover carprofen from last year topping up on a bad day, or a dog started on prednisone by an emergency clinic that does not know about the meloxicam at home. Tell every vet who treats your dog what it is already on.
Keep your dog's medications and lab results in one placeSide Effects and the Bloodwork That Catches Them
The common effects are gastrointestinal: reduced appetite, vomiting, softer stool. The ones that matter are quieter — NSAIDs can affect the kidneys and liver, and by the time that shows outwardly it is well established.
That is why the label recommends baseline bloodwork before starting and repeat testing periodically during treatment. For a dog on long-term meloxicam this is routine, not excessive. The values worth watching are creatinine and BUN for kidney function, and ALT for the liver. Stop the drug and call your vet if your dog develops black or tarry stool, repeated vomiting, or stops eating.
Why It Is Routine in Dogs but Dangerous in Cats
Worth knowing in a multi-pet household. Cats metabolise NSAIDs far less efficiently, so meloxicam accumulates in a way it does not in dogs. The dog product's own label carries the warning: acute renal failure and death have been associated with the use of meloxicam in cats. In the United States an FDA boxed warning applies to feline use and repeated oral dosing is not approved. Never give a cat a dose from the dog's bottle — the full picture is in our guide to Metacam for cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meloxicam dosage for dogs?
The labelled oral dose is 0.2 mg/kg (0.09 mg/lb) on the first day only, then 0.1 mg/kg (0.045 mg/lb) once daily from day two onwards. The first day is deliberately double the ongoing dose - a loading dose. Giving the day-one amount every day is a common and avoidable error, so check the syringe markings, which are calibrated for the maintenance dose in pounds.
Is meloxicam the same as Metacam?
Yes. Meloxicam is the drug and Metacam is the best-known brand. The same molecule is also sold as Loxicom, OroCAM and Rheumocam among others. Dosing, side effects and monitoring are the same across them.
Can I give my dog meloxicam with prednisone or another NSAID?
No. The label states meloxicam should not be given with other NSAIDs such as aspirin, carprofen, etodolac or deracoxib, or with steroids such as prednisone, cortisone, dexamethasone or triamcinolone. Combining them substantially raises the risk of stomach ulceration and kidney injury. If your dog has leftover carprofen from a previous prescription, that is not a substitute or a top-up.
Does my dog need blood tests while on meloxicam?
The label recommends establishing baseline bloodwork before starting and repeating it periodically during treatment. NSAIDs can affect the kidneys and liver, and bloodwork is how that is caught before it becomes clinical. For a dog on long-term meloxicam this is routine rather than precautionary.
Why is meloxicam safe for dogs but dangerous for cats?
Cats metabolise NSAIDs far less efficiently, so the drug accumulates. The dog product's own label carries the warning: acute renal failure and death have been associated with the use of meloxicam in cats. In the United States repeated oral dosing in cats is not approved and an FDA boxed warning applies. Never give a cat a dog's meloxicam.
Sources
- DailyMed — Metacam (meloxicam oral suspension) label
- FDA — Metacam Client Information Sheet
- FDA — Boxed warning on meloxicam labels regarding safety risks in cats
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Meloxicam