Cat Metacam Dosage Calculator | Meloxicam Dosing Tool
Calculate the correct Metacam (meloxicam) dosage for a cat by weight. Get the dose in mg and the volume in ml for the 0.5 mg/ml feline oral suspension.
Cat Metacam Dosage Calculator
Once-daily maintenance dose from day 2 onward: 0.05 mg meloxicam per kg, every 24 hours.
Documentation
What is the Cat Metacam Dosage Calculator
The Cat Metacam Dosage Calculator works out how much Metacam (meloxicam) to give a cat, based on the cat's body weight. Metacam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, used to treat pain and swelling in cats. A veterinarian prescribes it after surgery or for ongoing joint pain. The calculator turns a weight into a dose in milligrams and a volume in millilitres of the liquid form of the drug.
What is Metacam for cats
Meloxicam blocks an enzyme called cyclooxygenase. That enzyme makes prostaglandins, substances that cause pain and inflammation. By blocking the enzyme, meloxicam reduces pain and swelling. Veterinarians use Metacam for pain after surgery, for osteoarthritis, and for other joint and muscle problems in cats.
Metacam for cats comes as a liquid called an oral suspension. The feline product has a strength of 0.5 mg of meloxicam per millilitre, written as 0.5 mg/ml. A separate Metacam product is made for dogs, at a strength of 1.5 mg/ml. The dog product's label warns against giving it to cats: it can cause acute kidney failure and death. Only the 0.5 mg/ml feline suspension is safe for a cat. Always check the concentration printed on the bottle before drawing up a dose.
Metacam is a prescription medicine. A cat should take it only under veterinary supervision.
How to calculate Metacam dosage for cats
Dosing for cats has two stages, each with its own rate of medicine per kilogram of body weight.
- Day 1, the loading dose: 0.1 mg of meloxicam per kg, given once.
- Day 2 onward, the maintenance dose: 0.05 mg of meloxicam per kg, given once every 24 hours.
Both stages use the same 0.5 mg/ml feline suspension. Only the mg-per-kg rate changes between the loading and maintenance stages. The concentration of the liquid does not change.
Metacam dosage formula
First, find the dose in milligrams:
Dose (mg) = weight (kg) × rate (mg/kg)
Then convert that dose to a volume of liquid:
Volume (ml) = Dose (mg) ÷ 0.5 mg/ml
A weight given in pounds must first be converted to kilograms:
Weight (kg) = weight (lb) × 0.453592
Example calculation
A 4 kg cat starts maintenance treatment on day 2.
Dose = 4 kg × 0.05 mg/kg = 0.2 mg Volume = 0.2 mg ÷ 0.5 mg/ml = 0.4 ml
The day before, on day 1, the same cat would have received the loading dose instead:
Dose = 4 kg × 0.1 mg/kg = 0.4 mg Volume = 0.4 mg ÷ 0.5 mg/ml = 0.8 ml
The table below shows the maintenance dose for a few sample weights.
| Weight | Dose | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | 0.15 mg | 0.3 ml |
| 4.5 kg | 0.23 mg | 0.45 ml |
| 7 kg | 0.35 mg | 0.7 ml |
| 12 lb (5.44 kg) | 0.27 mg | 0.54 ml |
The calculator covers typical domestic cat weights, up to 15 kg (about 33 lb). For a heavier cat, ask a veterinarian for a dose.
How to use the calculator
- Enter the cat's weight.
- Choose the weight unit, kg or lb.
- Choose the treatment day: Day 1 (loading) or Day 2 onward (maintenance).
- Read the dose in milligrams and the volume in millilitres.
- Copy the result if needed.
A small syringe graphic fills to match the calculated volume, as a visual check on the number.
Giving Metacam to a cat
Metacam bottles come with a marked oral syringe. Use only that syringe to measure a dose. Giving the medicine with food can lower the chance of an upset stomach. Place the syringe between the cheek and the gums rather than pointing it down the throat, and dispense the liquid slowly so the cat has time to swallow. Shake the bottle before drawing up each dose.
Side effects to watch for
Signs of a problem include a lower appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and unusual tiredness. Black or tar-coloured stools can mean bleeding in the gut. Yellowing of the gums or eyes can mean a liver problem. Report any of these signs to a veterinarian without delay. Cats with kidney disease or with dehydration face a higher risk of side effects from an NSAID like Metacam.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard Metacam dose for cats?
0.1 mg per kg for the single loading dose on day 1, then 0.05 mg per kg once a day from day 2 onward. Both doses use the 0.5 mg/ml feline oral suspension.
Can I use the dog version of Metacam (1.5 mg/ml) for my cat?
No. The dog product is three times as strong as the feline one. Giving it to a cat, or using its concentration in the dosing formula, produces the wrong volume and risks acute kidney failure. Cats need the 0.5 mg/ml feline oral suspension only.
How do I convert my cat's weight from pounds to kilograms?
Multiply the weight in pounds by 0.453592. A 10 lb cat weighs about 4.54 kg.
Can kittens take Metacam?
Very young kittens are not usually given Metacam. Ask a veterinarian for age-appropriate pain relief.
Is Metacam the same as ibuprofen?
No. Both are NSAIDs, but ibuprofen is toxic to cats and should never be given to them.
What should I do if a cat is given too much Metacam?
Call a veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Signs of an overdose can include vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, reduced appetite, and increased thirst or urination.
About this calculator
This calculator applies a standard weight-based formula. It does not replace a veterinarian's judgment. A veterinarian may set a different dose based on a cat's health, kidney function, or other medication. A prescription and its instructions always take priority over any calculator result.