Meloxicam for cats: uses, the FDA warning and side effects

What is meloxicam for cats used for?

Meloxicam for cats is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. It relieves pain, inflammation and fever. It belongs to the same family as ibuprofen and aspirin, but it’s a prescription medicine made for animals. Common brands include Metacam, Loxicom and Meloxidyl.

Vets mainly use it for two things:

• Pain after surgery, such as a spay, neuter or bone and joint surgery
• Long-term pain, most often from arthritis, which vets call degenerative joint disease

The 2024 ISFM and AAFP guidelines on long-term NSAID use in cats say meloxicam and robenacoxib are the most widely studied NSAIDs in cats. They have strong evidence for easing arthritis pain. But how meloxicam is approved depends a lot on where you live.

What does the FDA boxed warning on meloxicam say?

In the United States, the FDA has approved meloxicam for cats only as a one-time injection before surgery. It controls pain and inflammation after spays, neuters and orthopedic surgery. Injectable meloxicam isn’t approved for repeated doses in cats. Oral meloxicam isn’t approved for cats at all in the US. It’s approved only for dogs.

After reviewing many reports of side effects, the FDA found cases of sudden kidney failure and death in cats given repeated doses. It asked the makers of all meloxicam products to add a boxed warning, which highlights serious risks for vets on the label. The boxed warning reads:

“Repeated use of meloxicam in cats has been associated with acute renal failure and death. Do not administer additional injectable or oral meloxicam to cats.”

The FDA’s advice for owners puts it simply: currently, no NSAIDs are approved for long-term use in cats in the US. Giving a cat more than one dose of meloxicam, or giving the oral liquid, is called “extra-label” use. The FDA notes this is legally allowed under certain circumstances, and some vets do prescribe meloxicam this way. If your vet recommends it, it’s fair to ask why they chose it and how they plan to monitor your cat.

Is meloxicam approved differently in other countries?

Yes. According to the 2024 guidelines, meloxicam and robenacoxib are licensed for long-term use in cats in several countries, with different label recommendations in each. VCA Animal Hospitals lists oral liquid and injection as the forms used in cats.

So a UK or European owner may be handed an oral meloxicam liquid labeled for cats, while a US owner getting the same liquid is receiving it extra-label. The drug is the same. The approved uses and warnings differ.

Can cats take meloxicam long term?

Some can, with care. The 2024 guidelines support long-term NSAIDs for chronic pain in cats that have been screened first and are monitored closely. They also note that cats with stable kidney disease may be treated, depending on the individual cat. That matters, because up to 69% of cats with arthritis also have kidney disease.

What monitoring do the 2024 guidelines recommend?

Before starting, the guidelines advise screening each cat for suitability. VCA notes this often includes blood work and a urine test to check the kidneys, and the guidelines stress checking blood pressure. On treatment, the guidelines recommend:

• Kidney checks that go beyond the basic blood tests, including SDMA, urine concentration and urine protein, because standard tests miss early kidney damage
• Blood pressure checks, especially in cats on heart or blood pressure medicines
• Regular wellness visits, since most cats on long-term NSAIDs are seniors
• The lowest dose that works. Your vet sets the dose for your cat, and side effects are dose-dependent

At home, three things help keep your cat safe:

• Give each dose with food, or right before a meal
• Keep your cat well hydrated. Dehydration raises the risk of side effects, so ask your vet how to encourage drinking. Our water intake calculator shows what’s typical
• Measure exactly. Use the syringe that came with the medicine. Never guess or “top up” a dose

Behavior is the best guide to whether the medicine is working. Watch for your cat jumping, climbing stairs, grooming and playing more. Short videos at home can help your vet judge progress. Our is my cat in pain checker and arthritis guide explain what to look for.

What are the side effects of meloxicam for cats?

Stomach and gut problems are the most common. The kidneys are the biggest worry.

The 2024 guidelines report vomiting in up to 14% of cats on long-term NSAIDs. On its own, mild vomiting may not mean the medicine has to stop, but your vet should know about it. Signs of kidney trouble are vague, which is why routine urine and blood tests matter so much.

The FDA’s advice is clear: if you notice any side effects, stop giving the medication and call your vet. That includes vomiting, diarrhea, black or bloody stool, eating less, being less active, drinking more, or yellow eyes or gums. The 2024 guidelines say caregivers should report any sign of gut bleeding to the vet team immediately. A cat that isn’t eating or drinking normally is also more likely to be dehydrated, which puts extra strain on the kidneys.

Which cats shouldn’t take meloxicam?

VCA advises against meloxicam in cats that:

• Are dehydrated or not eating
• Have bloody stool or vomit
• Have kidney or liver disease (though the 2024 guidelines say some cats with stable kidney disease can be treated with care)
• Are breeding, pregnant or nursing, or are kittens under 4 months old
• Are taking another NSAID or a steroid

Use needs extra care in older and frail cats, and in cats with ulcers, heart disease or a bleeding disorder. Tell your vet about every medicine and supplement your cat takes. The 2024 guidelines advise avoiding, or monitoring closely, NSAIDs with some heart and blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors such as benazepril) and diuretics (such as furosemide).

Can meloxicam be given with steroids or other NSAIDs?

No. VCA says it’s never a good idea to mix meloxicam with steroids such as prednisolone or with other NSAIDs. The 2024 guidelines say to avoid combining steroids and NSAIDs in cats. In other species, stomach ulcers and perforation are usually linked to giving two NSAIDs together, or an NSAID with a steroid. When switching between them, your vet will usually build in a gap first.

Are human NSAIDs safe for cats?

No. The FDA says never to give cats over-the-counter human NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. Cats may have a reduced ability to break these drugs down, and the 2024 guidelines note that human products such as ibuprofen can cause severe toxicity. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) isn’t an NSAID, but cats can’t process it safely either. See our guide to human medications that are toxic to cats.

If your cat swallows any human painkiller, call your vet or an emergency clinic now. Don’t wait for signs. See our cat emergency guide.

What about robenacoxib for cats?

Robenacoxib (Onsior) is another NSAID for cats. In the US, the FDA has approved robenacoxib tablets for pain and inflammation after orthopedic surgery, spays and neuters, for up to three days. The brand was first approved in 2011. The 2022 ISFM acute pain guidelines note that both meloxicam and robenacoxib are palatable, which makes them easier to give.

The 2024 guidelines treat meloxicam and robenacoxib as the NSAIDs of choice for long-term pain in cats. The choice between them depends on availability, formulation, how your cat takes it and local labeling. Either way, the same rules apply: screening first, regular checks, and never combining with another NSAID or steroid.

For more medicines vets prescribe, browse our cat medications guides.

Written by the CatsMed Team from the sources above. Reviewed by Dr. Jarod Grantland, DVM. It isn’t a substitute for seeing a vet. See how we research.