Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) widely used in veterinary medicine for pain and inflammation management. Sold under the veterinary brand name Metacam (Boehringer Ingelheim) and the human brand Mobic, meloxicam is FDA-approved for dogs and is available as a widely affordable generic. It is one of the most commonly prescribed veterinary NSAIDs worldwide. In cats, meloxicam use is more restricted — in the United States, it is FDA-approved only as a single injectable dose for post-surgical pain. Long-term oral use in cats is off-label and carries significant kidney toxicity risk, though it is used more broadly in some other countries under close veterinary supervision.
What Is Meloxicam Used For?
Meloxicam is prescribed for pain and inflammation management:
- Osteoarthritis in dogs — chronic pain and inflammation management
- Post-surgical pain — dogs (oral or injectable) and cats (single injectable dose in US)
- Musculoskeletal pain and injuries — sprains, strains, soft tissue inflammation
- Dental pain — post-extraction or periodontal procedure pain
- Chronic pain management in horses — musculoskeletal and joint pain
- Feline pain management — restricted use; single injectable dose approved in US; short-term or low-dose oral use is off-label
How Does Meloxicam Work?
Meloxicam is a preferential COX-2 inhibitor. It reduces pain and inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme responsible for producing prostaglandins that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. By preferentially targeting COX-2 over COX-1, meloxicam aims to provide anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects while causing less disruption to the protective prostaglandins (COX-1) that maintain the stomach lining and kidney blood flow.
However, “preferential” is not “selective,” and meloxicam still inhibits some COX-1 activity, which means GI, kidney, and liver side effects remain possible, especially with long-term use or in predisposed animals.
Dosage
Your veterinarian will determine the exact dose for your pet.
Dogs
| Dog’s Weight | Typical Daily Dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 0.45 mg | Once daily |
| 20 lbs (9 kg) | 0.9 mg | Once daily |
| 40 lbs (18 kg) | 1.8 mg | Once daily |
| 60 lbs (27 kg) | 2.7 mg | Once daily |
| 80 lbs (36 kg) | 3.6 mg | Once daily |
- Loading dose (day 1): 0.2 mg/kg
- Maintenance dose: 0.1 mg/kg once daily
- The oral suspension (Metacam 1.5 mg/mL for dogs) allows precise weight-based dosing
Cats (US — Restricted)
- Injectable: Single 0.3 mg/kg dose subcutaneously for post-surgical pain (FDA-approved)
- Oral: Off-label in the US. Some veterinarians use very low doses (0.01-0.05 mg/kg) for chronic pain management under close monitoring. This requires careful veterinary supervision and regular kidney function testing.
Horses
| Condition | Dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal pain | 0.6 mg/kg | Once daily for up to 14 days |
How to Give Meloxicam to Your Dog or Cat
- Metacam oral suspension (dogs): Use the included dosing syringe for accurate measurement. Mix with food or give directly.
- Tablets (generic meloxicam): Can be given with food to minimize GI upset.
- Always give with food to reduce the risk of stomach irritation and ulceration.
- For cats: Do NOT use the dog formulation of Metacam (1.5 mg/mL) — the concentration is different from the cat formulation (0.5 mg/mL). Using the wrong concentration risks overdose.
- Do not give meloxicam alongside other NSAIDs (carprofen, firocoxib, aspirin) or corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone) — this dramatically increases the risk of GI ulceration and kidney damage.
- If you miss a dose, skip it and resume the next day. Do not double dose.
Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects (Contact Your Vet) |
|---|---|
| Decreased appetite | Vomiting (especially with blood) |
| Soft stool or diarrhea | Black tarry stool (melena) |
| Mild lethargy | Increased thirst and urination (kidney damage) |
| Jaundice (yellowing of gums/whites of eyes) | |
| Abdominal pain | |
| Sudden collapse or weakness |
Cats are extremely sensitive to NSAID-related kidney toxicity. Even standard canine doses can cause acute kidney failure in cats. This is why meloxicam use in cats is heavily restricted in the US, and why the FDA specifically warns against repeated oral doses in cats on the Metacam label.
Drug Interactions
- Other NSAIDs (carprofen, firocoxib, aspirin, ibuprofen): NEVER combine NSAIDs. Wait a minimum of 5-7 days (washout period) when switching between NSAIDs.
- Corticosteroids (prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone): Do not use concurrently — significantly increases GI ulceration and kidney damage risk.
- ACE inhibitors (enalapril, benazepril): NSAIDs can reduce the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors and worsen kidney function.
- Diuretics (furosemide): NSAIDs can reduce diuretic effectiveness.
- Anticoagulants: Increased bleeding risk.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to meloxicam or other NSAIDs
- Animals with GI ulceration or bleeding
- Animals with kidney or liver disease (or use only with extreme caution and monitoring)
- Dehydrated animals — correct dehydration before starting any NSAID
- Pregnant or lactating animals
- Animals currently receiving other NSAIDs or corticosteroids
- Cats in the US for repeated oral dosing (except under close off-label veterinary supervision)
Storage
- Store at controlled room temperature, 68-77degF (20-25degC).
- Oral suspension: use within 6 months of opening.
- Keep in original container, protected from light.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Cost & Availability
Meloxicam is available as a widely used generic, making it one of the most affordable veterinary NSAIDs.
- Approximate cost: $15-$40 per month for most dogs
- Metacam oral suspension (dogs): $25-$50 per bottle
- Generic meloxicam tablets (human): $5-$15 per month at human pharmacies
- Available forms: Oral suspension (vet), tablets (generic), injectable (vet clinic)
- Can be filled at human pharmacies with a veterinary prescription
Frequently Asked Questions
Is meloxicam safe for cats? In the US, meloxicam is FDA-approved only as a single injectable dose for cats (post-surgical pain). Repeated oral use in cats carries significant kidney toxicity risk and is off-label. In some countries (UK, Australia, EU), low-dose oral meloxicam is labeled for longer use in cats under strict veterinary supervision. Always follow your veterinarian’s specific guidance.
How does meloxicam compare to carprofen (Rimadyl)? Both are effective NSAIDs for canine osteoarthritis. Meloxicam is available as an affordable generic (as low as $5-15/month), while generic carprofen is also affordable ($10-25/month). Meloxicam is a preferential COX-2 inhibitor, which may offer a marginally better GI safety profile, but individual dogs may tolerate one better than the other. Your veterinarian will recommend based on your dog’s health profile.
Does my dog need blood work while on meloxicam? Yes. Baseline blood work (kidney and liver values) is recommended before starting any long-term NSAID, and periodic monitoring (every 6-12 months) is advised during ongoing use. This allows early detection of any organ effects.
Can I give my dog meloxicam and Galliprant together? No. Galliprant (grapiprant) is also classified as an NSAID, and combining two NSAIDs dramatically increases the risk of GI ulceration and kidney damage. Always observe a washout period of at least 5-7 days when switching between NSAIDs.
Sources & References
- FDA - Metacam (Meloxicam) Product Information
- Merck Veterinary Manual - NSAIDs
- VCA Hospitals - Meloxicam
- FDA - Metacam Warning for Cats
- PetMD - Meloxicam for Dogs and Cats
Verification Notes
Meloxicam’s characterization as a “preferential COX-2” NSAID with restricted use in cats (“Use in cats is controversial and typically limited to single injectable doses due to kidney toxicity risk”) is confirmed by the research corpus. Generic availability and affordable pricing are verified. The FDA warning against repeated oral doses in cats is well-documented.