Metacam Dosage Calculator for Cats
Enter your cat's weight and the treatment type to get the correct Metacam (meloxicam 0.5 mg/mL oral suspension) loading dose and daily maintenance dose in milligrams, millilitres, and calibrated drops. Switch between kilograms and pounds - results update instantly. Always follow your veterinarian's specific instructions; this tool is a reference aid, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
What is Metacam and why is dosing critical for cats?
Metacam is a brand name for meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to control pain and inflammation in cats. The feline-approved formulation is an oral suspension at 0.5 mg/mL, significantly more dilute than the 1.5 mg/mL canine product. This difference matters enormously: cats metabolise NSAIDs much more slowly than dogs because they have reduced glucuronidation capacity in the liver. Even a small overdose can cause gastrointestinal ulceration, acute kidney injury, or fatal organ failure. Accurate weight-based dosing - calculated fresh for each cat - is the single most important factor in safe use. This calculator applies the dosing protocol published by Boehringer Ingelheim and approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
How the dose is calculated
The formula is straightforward: dose (mg) = body weight (kg) x dose rate (mg/kg). For post-operative or acute musculoskeletal pain, Day 1 uses 0.2 mg/kg; for chronic musculoskeletal pain, Day 1 uses 0.1 mg/kg. From Day 2 onward, all indications use 0.05 mg/kg once daily. To convert from milligrams to volume, divide by the suspension concentration: volume (mL) = dose (mg) / 0.5 mg/mL. To convert to drops, multiply by 30 (the calibrated dropper supplied delivers 1/30 mL per drop). For example, a 4 kg cat with acute pain needs 4 x 0.2 = 0.8 mg on Day 1, which is 0.8 / 0.5 = 1.6 mL, or 1.6 x 30 = 48 drops. Maintenance from Day 2 is 4 x 0.05 = 0.2 mg, or 0.4 mL (12 drops).
Administration and safety tips
Always use the calibrated dropper or the measuring syringe supplied with the product - do not estimate drops with a different dropper, as drop size varies. Administer orally once daily, preferably with or after food, to reduce gastrointestinal upset. Cats under 2 kg are below the body weight for which the standard dropper was validated; use a syringe for precision. Do not crush tablets or split doses intended for dogs into feline portions; the dog product concentration is three times higher and is not approved for cats. Cats on long-term treatment should be monitored regularly by a vet, with periodic blood and urine tests to check kidney function. Stop treatment immediately if vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite, lethargy, or increased thirst and urination appear.
Limitations and when to contact your vet
This calculator uses the standard approved dose rates. Your vet may prescribe a different dose or schedule based on your cat's kidney function, liver health, concurrent medications, or individual response. Metacam should not be used in cats with pre-existing kidney or liver disease, gastrointestinal disease, bleeding disorders, or in cats receiving other NSAIDs or corticosteroids. It is not approved for use in pregnant, lactating, or breeding cats. If no clinical improvement is seen within 7 days of chronic use, or within 4 days of acute use, consult your vet. This tool is a reference aid only - it does not replace veterinary assessment or a valid prescription.
Metacam 0.5 mg/mL feline dosing reference
| Indication | Day 1 dose | Drops/kg (Day 1) | Maintenance dose | Drops/kg (maintenance) | Max duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post-operative pain | 0.2 mg/kg | 12 drops/kg | 0.05 mg/kg | 3 drops/kg | 4 days oral |
| Acute musculoskeletal | 0.2 mg/kg | 12 drops/kg | 0.05 mg/kg | 3 drops/kg | Vet discretion |
| Chronic musculoskeletal | 0.1 mg/kg | 6 drops/kg | 0.05 mg/kg | 3 drops/kg | Reassess at 14 days |
Approved doses for Metacam 0.5 mg/mL oral suspension for cats (EU/Canada). Source: Boehringer Ingelheim NOAH compendium.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the cat dose lower than the dog dose?
Cats have reduced glucuronidation - a liver pathway that detoxifies NSAIDs. This means meloxicam clears from a cat's body much more slowly than from a dog's. The feline maintenance dose (0.05 mg/kg) is about one-third of the typical canine maintenance dose. Using dog doses in cats, even once, can cause lethal kidney failure. The feline-approved 0.5 mg/mL suspension is also three times more dilute than the 1.5 mg/mL dog product, making accidental use of the wrong bottle a serious risk.
Can I use the dog Metacam 1.5 mg/mL product for my cat?
No. The 1.5 mg/mL canine oral suspension is not approved for cats and is specifically contraindicated. The FDA US label carries a black-box warning against feline use. The feline-approved product is the 0.5 mg/mL suspension (available in Canada, EU/UK, and some other markets). If you cannot obtain the feline product, ask your vet about injectable meloxicam, which is used in some countries for a single-dose perioperative application in cats.
How many drops of Metacam should I give my cat per kg?
Using the 0.5 mg/mL suspension with its calibrated dropper (30 drops per mL): the loading dose for post-op or acute pain is 12 drops per kg of body weight on Day 1; for chronic pain, it is 6 drops per kg on Day 1. The maintenance dose for all indications is 3 drops per kg once daily from Day 2 onward. Always verify the drop count by using this calculator with your cat's exact weight, as drops are rounded whole numbers.
How long can I give Metacam to my cat?
For post-operative and acute musculoskeletal pain, the approved oral duration is up to 4 days. For chronic musculoskeletal pain (such as osteoarthritis), longer-term use is approved but requires regular veterinary monitoring - reassessment at 7 days and reassessment (and potential discontinuation) at 14 days if no improvement is seen. Long-term chronic use should include periodic kidney and liver blood tests.
What are the signs of a Metacam overdose in a cat?
Early signs include vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhoea, reduced appetite, and lethargy. Kidney injury can cause increased thirst, increased urination, then a sudden drop in urine output as failure progresses. Gastrointestinal ulceration may cause dark or tarry stools. If you suspect your cat has received too much Metacam - whether from an accidental double dose or the wrong product - contact your vet or an emergency animal poison control line immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear; early intervention greatly improves outcomes.
Can I give Metacam to a cat with kidney disease?
Generally, no. Cats with established kidney disease are at very high risk of NSAID-induced acute kidney injury because NSAIDs reduce renal blood flow. Metacam is contraindicated in cats with existing kidney or liver disease. If your cat has kidney issues and needs pain management, your vet will consider safer alternatives such as gabapentin, buprenorphine, or other approaches that do not compromise renal function.