Dog Metacam Dosage Calculator

The dog Metacam dosage calculator works out how many milliliters of Metacam oral suspension to give a dog, based on its weight. Metacam is a brand name for meloxicam, a pain-relief drug for dogs. The calculator turns a dog's weight into two volumes in milliliters: the higher dose given on the first day, and the smaller dose given once a day after that.

What Is Metacam (Meloxicam)?

Metacam is the brand name of meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. Veterinarians prescribe it to treat pain, swelling, and stiffness in dogs. It is often used for osteoarthritis, a condition where joints become worn and inflamed, and for pain after surgery.

Meloxicam works by blocking enzymes called cyclooxygenases (COX). These enzymes make prostaglandins, chemicals that cause inflammation, pain, and fever. By reducing prostaglandins, meloxicam lowers pain and swelling.

Metacam for dogs comes in a few forms:

Oral suspension, a liquid sold for dogs at a strength of 1.5 mg per milliliter (mg/ml). This is the most common form for home use and comes with a marked dosing syringe.
Injectable solution, given by a veterinarian, often for a single dose.
Chewable tablets, sold in some countries as an alternative to the liquid.

This calculator is built for the 1.5 mg/ml oral suspension for dogs. A separate 0.5 mg/ml suspension exists for cats and very small dogs; the numbers here do not apply to it.

Metacam Dosage Formula for Dogs

The FDA-approved label for Metacam Oral Suspension sets two dose rates for dogs:

Day 1, the loading dose: 0.2 mg per kilogram of body weight, given once.
Day 2 onward, the maintenance dose: 0.1 mg per kilogram, once a day.

The first dose is double the later ones. It builds the drug up in the body faster.

The liquid is measured in milliliters, not milligrams, so the dose rate has to be converted using the strength of the suspension. The general formula is:

$V = \frac{W \times r}{c}$

where V is the dose in milliliters, W the dog's weight in kilograms, r the dose rate in milligrams per kilogram, and c the strength of the suspension in milligrams per milliliter.

For the 1.5 mg/ml suspension this gives two versions. The dose on day 1:

$D = \frac{W \times 0.2}{1.5}$

The dose from day 2 onward:

$M = \frac{W \times 0.1}{1.5}$

where D is the loading dose in milliliters and M the maintenance dose in milliliters.

The calculator rounds each result to two decimal places, since dosing syringes are marked in increments about that small.

Converting Pounds to Kilograms

Dog weight is often given in pounds in the United States. The calculator converts pounds to kilograms with the standard factor:

$W = P \times 0.45359237$

where W is the weight in kilograms and P the weight in pounds.

A dog owner can enter weight in either kilograms or pounds. Switching the unit converts the number already typed in, so the physical weight stays the same.

Worked example

A dog weighs 22 pounds.

Convert to kilograms: 22 × 0.45359237 = 9.979 kg.
Day 1: 9.979 × 0.2 = 1.996 mg, then 1.996 ÷ 1.5 = 1.331 ml, which rounds to 1.33 ml.
Day 2 onward: 9.979 × 0.1 = 0.998 mg, then 0.998 ÷ 1.5 = 0.665 ml, which rounds to 0.67 ml.

A second example: a 20 kg dog gets (20 × 0.2) ÷ 1.5 = 2.67 ml on day one, then (20 × 0.1) ÷ 1.5 = 1.33 ml each day after.

How to Use the Calculator

Enter the dog's weight.
Choose the unit, kilograms or pounds.
Read the two volumes: the Day 1 loading dose, and the maintenance dose for Day 2 onward.

A result appears only once a valid weight is entered. An empty field shows nothing at all. The calculator shows an error message if the weight is zero or negative, or unusually large, above 100 kg or above 220 lb. These limits catch typing mistakes. They are not a statement about what dose is medically safe for very large or very small dogs.

How to Give Metacam to a Dog

Shake the bottle before each use to mix the liquid evenly.
Use the dosing syringe that comes with the bottle, not a kitchen spoon or a syringe from a different product.
Give the dose in the dog's mouth or mixed into a small amount of food. If mixed with food, check the dog eats all of it.
Give Metacam with or after a meal. This lowers the chance of stomach upset.
Store the bottle at room temperature, away from light, with the cap closed tightly.

Metacam is given once a day. Only the first day uses the higher 0.2 mg/kg dose. A veterinarian sets the actual schedule, and it can vary by condition and by dog.

Precautions

A veterinarian should not prescribe Metacam for a dog that:

Has had an allergic reaction to meloxicam or another NSAID.
Has significant kidney or liver disease.
Has a stomach or intestinal ulcer, or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Is dehydrated or has low blood volume.
Is pregnant or nursing, unless a veterinarian decides the benefit outweighs the risk.
Is already taking another NSAID or a corticosteroid, since combining these raises the risk of side effects.

Human NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin should never be given to dogs. They can cause severe stomach damage and kidney injury in dogs, even at doses considered safe for people.

Possible Side Effects

Watch for these signs after giving Metacam, and call a veterinarian if they appear:

Vomiting or diarrhea, especially if there is blood or a black, tar-like color.
Loss of appetite.
Increased thirst or urination.
Unusual tiredness or a change in behavior.
Yellowing of the gums, skin, or eyes, a sign of liver trouble called jaundice.

Stop giving the drug and contact a veterinarian right away if any of these appear.

Frequently asked questions

What is the standard Metacam dose for dogs? The labeled dose is 0.2 mg/kg once on the first day, then 0.1 mg/kg once a day from the second day on. A veterinarian gives the exact plan for each dog.

Why is the first dose double the rest? The larger first dose brings the drug in the blood up to a working level sooner. After that, the smaller daily dose keeps it there.

How do I turn a dose in mg/kg into milliliters? Multiply the dog's weight in kilograms by the dose rate in mg/kg, then divide by the strength of the suspension in mg/ml. For the 1.5 mg/ml dog suspension, day one is (weight in kg × 0.2) ÷ 1.5 and later days are (weight in kg × 0.1) ÷ 1.5.

Can I give my dog ibuprofen or another human NSAID instead of Metacam? No. Human NSAIDs are toxic to dogs and can cause stomach ulcers, bleeding, and kidney damage. Only give a dog medication prescribed for dogs.

What if my dog vomits after taking Metacam? Contact a veterinarian for advice. Do not give another dose to replace the one that came back up without checking with a veterinarian first.

Can puppies take Metacam? Metacam is generally not given to dogs younger than six months. Younger dogs may be more sensitive to NSAID side effects, so a veterinarian weighs the risks carefully before prescribing it.

Is Metacam safe for long-term use? It can be used for ongoing conditions such as osteoarthritis, but a veterinarian should recheck the dog regularly, usually with blood tests that check kidney and liver function, and use the lowest dose that controls the dog's pain.

References

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Metacam (meloxicam) Oral Suspension 1.5 mg/mL for dogs, approved animal drug label, NADA 141-213. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=c27c35d7-07e1-47d4-97cd-ed1fb17750ce&type=display
Plumb, D.C. (2018). Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook (9th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. Meloxicam monograph.
KuKanich, B., Bidgood, T., & Knesl, O. (2012). Clinical pharmacology of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in dogs. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 39(1), 69-90.

This calculator gives a general estimate. A veterinarian sets the actual dose, based on the dog's health, weight, and condition.

Dog Metacam Dosage Calculator | Meloxicam for Dogs