Carprofen vs meloxicam for dogs
Carprofen (Rimadyl and generics) and meloxicam (Metacam and human generic tablets) are the most prescribed anti-inflammatory pain relievers for dogs, mainly for arthritis and after surgery. They are equally established; the practical differences are the form, how often each is given, and where you can fill the prescription.
Updated October 3, 2026
At a glance
- Form
- Carprofen
- Chewable or plain caplets made for dogs
- Meloxicam
- Veterinary liquid dosed by weight, or human tablets in some cases
- How often
- Carprofen
- Once or twice daily
- Meloxicam
- Once daily
- Use in cats
- Carprofen
- Not approved in cats
- Meloxicam
- A single dose only in the US; repeated doses can damage cats’ kidneys
- Where to fill it
- Carprofen
- Your vet or a pharmacy with veterinary products
- Meloxicam
- The liquid from your vet or such pharmacies; human tablets from any pharmacy when your vet prescribes them
Carprofen Rimadyl and veterinary generics | Meloxicam Metacam liquid, or human generic tablets used on a vet’s prescription | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Chewable or plain caplets made for dogs | Veterinary liquid dosed by weight, or human tablets in some cases |
| How often | Once or twice daily | Once daily |
| Use in cats | Not approved in cats | A single dose only in the US; repeated doses can damage cats’ kidneys |
| Where to fill it | Your vet or a pharmacy with veterinary products | The liquid from your vet or such pharmacies; human tablets from any pharmacy when your vet prescribes them |
Safety is the same conversation for both
Both are NSAIDs and share the same risks: stomach upset and ulcers, kidney injury, and, rarely, liver injury. Vets usually check bloodwork before long-term use and periodically after. Neither should be combined with a steroid such as prednisone or with another NSAID, and switching from one to the other needs a gap of several days. Stop and call the vet for vomiting, black stools, not eating or unusual tiredness.
Never give a human NSAID such as ibuprofen or naproxen instead; those are dangerous to dogs at doses people take.
Cost
Generic carprofen is widely available from pharmacies that stock veterinary products. Meloxicam’s veterinary liquid is dosed precisely by weight, which suits small dogs; for some larger dogs, vets prescribe human meloxicam tablets, which any pharmacy can fill inexpensively on the vet’s prescription under federal extralabel rules. Ask which form gives an accurate dose for your dog.
If one does not suit your dog
Dogs vary in how they tolerate each NSAID, and a dog that did badly on one may do well on the other after the washout. For arthritis, vets often combine an NSAID with other measures, such as weight control, joint-friendly exercise, gabapentin or newer injectable arthritis treatments, rather than raising the NSAID dose.
Questions for your vet
- Could other pain relief be added instead of a higher dose?
- Does my dog need bloodwork before or during treatment?
- Which form gives an accurate dose at my dog’s weight?
- Could my dog take human meloxicam tablets on your prescription?
- What signs mean I should stop the medicine?
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Sources
- FDA, get the facts about pain relievers for pets
- FDA, Animal Drugs @ FDA (approved veterinary labels)
- FDA, extralabel use of drugs in animals (AMDUCA)
- Merck Veterinary Manual
Written by the Script Unlock editorial team from the sources above. It is general information, not advice for you or your pet; your vet decides which medicine is right.
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.