# Metacam for Cats: Pain Relief Uses and Safety Metacam (meloxicam) is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that veterinarians use for cat pain relief, most often for short-term pain after surgery or injury and sometimes for long-term joint pain. It reduces pain and inflammation, but it is not safe for every cat and it must only be given under veterinary direction. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Metacam is the brand name for meloxicam, an NSAID given by mouth or injection for pain and inflammation in cats. - In a worldwide survey of veterinarians, meloxicam was the most frequently used analgesic for acute pain in cats (76.4%) and the most frequently used NSAID for chronic pain (62.6%) [1]. - The dose is calculated by your veterinarian from your cat's weight, health status, and the reason for treatment. Never guess or reuse a dose from another pet. - Cats clear meloxicam more slowly than dogs, so side effects can build up. Watch for vomiting, appetite loss, lethargy, or black stools. - Stop the medicine and call your veterinarian right away if you see signs of stomach, kidney, or liver trouble. ## What Metacam Is and What Veterinarians Use It For Metacam is a brand of meloxicam, a member of the NSAID family. NSAIDs lower the chemicals that drive pain, swelling, and fever. In cats, veterinarians reach for meloxicam when pain has an inflammatory component, such as after spaying or neutering, after dental surgery, after an injury, or when a cat has arthritis. The global survey data show how common this is. Meloxicam was the top analgesic chosen for acute pain in cats and the top NSAID chosen for chronic pain [1]. That tells you two things. First, many veterinarians trust it when used correctly. Second, because it is so widely used, owners need to understand its limits. Metacam comes as an oral liquid, often with a dosing syringe, and as an injectable form. Availability of an injectable version influenced which drug veterinarians picked for acute pain [1]. An injection lets the veterinary team control the exact amount and start pain relief quickly. Metacam is not the only option. Other NSAIDs and other drug classes are used for cat pain relief, and some cats do better on a different plan. If you want to understand how veterinarians choose and monitor these drugs, see [NSAID Selection and Safety Monitoring in Feline Chronic Pain Management](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-pharmacology/nsaid-selection-safety-monitoring-feline-chronic-pain). ## How Meloxicam Works in Cats Meloxicam blocks enzymes called cyclooxygenase, or COX. These enzymes help make prostaglandins, which are messenger molecules that turn up pain and inflammation. Blocking them lowers pain signals and swelling. The catch is that prostaglandins also protect the stomach lining and help regulate blood flow in the kidneys. That is why NSAIDs can cause stomach upset and, less often, kidney problems. Cats are especially sensitive because their bodies break down meloxicam slowly. A dose that suits a dog can be too much for a cat. This is also why metacam for cats is almost always given at the lowest effective amount for the shortest useful time, unless your veterinarian has a specific long-term plan. ## Dosing Basics for Cat Pain Relief With Metacam ### Who Decides the Dose Your veterinarian decides the dose. It depends on your cat's weight, age, kidney and liver function, other medicines, and whether the pain is short-term or long-term. Do not adjust the amount on your own, and do not give a leftover supply from a previous illness without asking. ### How It Is Given Oral metacam liquid is usually measured with the syringe that comes with the bottle. Give it with or just after food unless your veterinarian says otherwise, because food helps protect the stomach. If your cat vomits soon after a dose, do not give a second dose. Call your veterinarian instead. Injectable metacam is given by the veterinary team, usually as a one-time dose around surgery or as the start of treatment. ### Missed Doses If you miss a dose, give it when you remember unless it is almost time for the next one. Never double up. If you are unsure, call your veterinary clinic and ask. A quick phone call is safer than a guess. ### What to Track at Home Keep simple notes. Write down the date and time of each dose, how much your cat eats and drinks, whether they vomit, and how they move or behave. These notes help your veterinarian spot problems early and judge whether the drug is helping. ## Metacam Side Effects in Cats Most cats tolerate meloxicam well when the dose and duration are right. When problems happen, they often involve the stomach and gut first. Kidney and liver effects are less common but more serious. | Side effect | How common or serious | What to do | |---|---|---| | Vomiting, soft stool, or reduced appetite | Common early signs, can signal stomach irritation | Stop the medicine and call your veterinarian the same day | | Lethargy or hiding more than usual | Common, but can also mean pain is not controlled | Call your veterinarian for advice | | Black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds | Uncommon but serious, suggests bleeding in the gut | Stop the medicine and seek veterinary care immediately | | Drinking more and urinating more | Uncommon, can point to kidney strain | Call your veterinarian the same day | | Yellow gums, eyes, or skin | Rare but serious, suggests liver trouble | Emergency care now | | Swelling, hives, or trouble breathing | Rare, suggests an allergic reaction | Emergency care now | Pain itself can look like illness. Cats with chronic pain may move less, groom less, or avoid stairs. Tools like the Feline Grimace Scale help veterinarians score acute pain from facial expressions, and it was the most used acute pain assessment tool in the global survey [1]. For chronic pain, 40.8% of surveyed veterinarians used no formal assessment tool at all [1], which is exactly why your at-home notes matter so much. Some pain is harder to read than others. A study of brachycephalic cats (flat-faced breeds) with eye pain found that the Feline Grimace Scale was less reliable for certain features, such as muzzle tension and whisker change, while ear position and eye position held up better [2]. If your cat is a flat-faced breed, tell your veterinarian, because they may lean on other signs. ## Who Should Not Take Metacam and What Interacts With It Metacam is not right for every cat. Your veterinarian will likely avoid it, or use it only with great caution, in cats with: - Existing kidney disease - Liver disease - Stomach or intestinal ulcers, or a history of gut bleeding - Bleeding disorders or low platelet counts - Dehydration, shock, or low blood pressure - Known allergy to meloxicam or other NSAIDs Age matters too. Very young kittens and frail older cats need extra care, and some veterinarians choose a different pain plan for them. Drug interactions are a major concern. Do not combine metacam with: - Other NSAIDs, including aspirin or any leftover pain medicine - Steroids such as prednisolone or dexamethasone - Blood thinners - Some diuretics and blood pressure medicines - Certain antibiotics and antifungals Tell your veterinarian every product your cat receives, including flea and tick treatments, supplements, and anything you buy without a prescription. Some flea products contain ingredients that should not be mixed with an NSAID. For background on those products, see [Cat Flea Treatment Safety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/cat-flea-treatment-safety) and [Cat Flea Treatment Safe For Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/cat-flea-treatment-safe-for-cats). If your cat also needs help with vet-visit stress or nerve-related joint pain, other drugs may be part of the plan. You can read about one option here: [Gabapentin for Cats: Pre-Vet Visit Stress Dosing and Joint Pain Support](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/calculators-clinical-tools/gabapentin-for-cats-pre-vet-visit-stress-dosing-and-joint-pain-support). ## Overdose and When to Call for Help Too much metacam can damage the stomach, kidneys, and liver. Signs of overdose include repeated vomiting, black stools, drooling, wobbliness, collapse, or seizures. These can appear within hours or over a day or two. If you think your cat received too much, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away. Do not wait for symptoms. Bring the bottle or packaging with you so the team knows the strength and how much was given. If your cat has collapsed, is struggling to breathe, or is having a seizure, go to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital now. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian Metacam helps many cats, but it cannot fix every kind of pain. Some pain comes from damaged nerves and does not respond well to NSAIDs. A small study described cats and dogs with nerve pain that did not improve on at least two oral pain medicines and needed a different approach [3]. If your cat's pain is not improving on metacam, that does not mean the drug failed. It may mean the type of pain is different. Chronic pain assessment in cats is genuinely hard. Researchers are testing tools such as a non-invasive EEG algorithm to measure osteoarthritis pain more objectively, but this is still early work [4]. Green light exposure has also shown promise for reducing nervous system sensitization in cats with osteoarthritis [5]. These are not replacements for standard care, but they show how much is still being learned. Call your veterinarian the same day if your cat vomits more than once, stops eating, seems dull or weak, or has diarrhea. Seek emergency care now if you see black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, yellow gums or eyes, trouble breathing, collapse, or a seizure. Schedule a routine visit if pain seems better but not gone, if you are running low on medicine, or if you need a monitoring plan. Blood tests to check kidneys and liver are common before and during treatment. Every cat is different. Your veterinarian needs to see your cat, not just hear about the symptoms, to make safe decisions. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is Metacam safe for cats? Metacam is safe for many cats when a veterinarian sets the dose and monitors the cat. It is not safe to give on your own, and it is riskier in cats with kidney or liver disease. Never share a dose meant for a dog or another cat. ### How long can a cat stay on meloxicam? That depends on why it is being used and how your cat responds. Short courses around surgery are common, while long-term use for arthritis requires regular checkups and blood work. Your veterinarian will decide the duration for your cat. ### Can I give my cat human pain medicine instead? No. Many human pain medicines are toxic to cats, and some can be fatal even in small amounts. If your cat is in pain and you do not have a veterinary pain medicine, call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic. ### What should I do if my cat vomits after a dose? Stop the medicine and call your veterinarian the same day. Do not give another dose to make up for it. Vomiting can be an early sign of stomach irritation from the drug. ### Does metacam help with arthritis pain in cats? Veterinarians do use meloxicam for chronic pain such as arthritis, and it was the most commonly chosen NSAID for that purpose in a global survey [1]. It works best as part of a full plan that includes weight control, comfortable bedding, and regular checkups. ## Related Articles - [Cat Flea Treatment Safety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/cat-flea-treatment-safety) - [Cat Stock Photography: What Images Reveal About Feline Health](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/preventive-care/cat-stock-photography-pet) - [Cat Flea Treatment Safe For Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/cat-flea-treatment-safe-for-cats) - [Gabapentin for Cats: Pre-Vet Visit Stress Dosing and Joint Pain Support](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/calculators-clinical-tools/gabapentin-for-cats-pre-vet-visit-stress-dosing-and-joint-pain-support) - [NSAID Selection and Safety Monitoring in Feline Chronic Pain Management](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-pharmacology/nsaid-selection-safety-monitoring-feline-chronic-pain) - [Solensia Injection for Feline Osteoarthritis: Safe Joint Pain Relief Guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/orthopedic-mobility/solensia-injection-for-feline-osteoarthritis-safe-joint-pain-relief-guide) - [What Can I Give My Cat for Pain? Safe Options and Risks](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/what-can-i-give-cat-for-pain) - [Cat Pain Medication: Prescription Options and Safety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/cat-pain-medication-options) - [Carprofen for Cats: Side Effects and Safety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/carprofen-for-cats-side-effects) ## References 1. [A global survey of attitudes and practices of veterinarians about pain management in cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41962800/). Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997), 2026. 2. [Challenges using the Feline Grimace Scale in brachycephalic cats with ocular pain](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41251310/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2026. 3. [Epidural analgesia reduces or eliminates neuropathic pain refractory to oral medications in dogs and cats for weeks to months](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42480621/). American journal of veterinary research, 2026. 4. [EEG-based quantification of chronic pain in cats: A proof-of-concept study using the Piq algorithm](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41724143/). Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997), 2026. 5. [Green light exposure reduces central sensitization in cats with osteoarthritis-associated somatosensory impairment](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42707081/). iScience, 2026. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information)