Meloxicam Overdose in Cats: Signs, Emergency Steps, and Treatment

Updated September 22, 2026. Fact-checked against veterinary sources; review by a licensed veterinarian is in progress. See our editorial policy.

If you think your cat got too much meloxicam, call your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital now, even if your cat seems fine. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 (fees may apply). Have the medication bottle, your cat’s weight, and the amount and time given ready. Don’t try to make your cat vomit at home unless a veterinarian tells you to.

Quick answer: Meloxicam (brand names include Metacam and Loxicom) is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever. Cats are much more sensitive to it than dogs. In the U.S., it’s FDA-approved for cats only as a single injection before surgery. Repeated doses, or dog-labeled oral meloxicam given to cats, have been linked to sudden kidney failure and death, and every meloxicam label carries an FDA boxed warning about this. Overdose can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach ulcers, and acute kidney injury. Fast treatment, often with IV fluids and stomach protectants, gives the best chance of recovery.

Why cats are so sensitive

Cats process many drugs differently from dogs and people, and NSAIDs like meloxicam have a narrow safety margin in cats: signs of overdose can appear at relatively small overdoses. Cats with existing kidney disease, dehydration, or low blood pressure are at even higher risk. Meloxicam can also be dangerous when combined with steroids or other NSAIDs.

How overdoses happen

A cat is given the dog’s meloxicam liquid, or a dose meant for a dog
Measuring errors with the dropper or syringe, or giving a dose twice by mistake
Continuing a medication longer than prescribed
A cat gets into a dropped tablet or licks spilled liquid

Signs to watch for

Signs can appear within hours or take a few days:

Vomiting, sometimes with blood, or diarrhea
Black, tarry stools
Loss of appetite
Lethargy, weakness, or hiding
Drinking and urinating more, or urinating much less
Bad breath or mouth ulcers (from kidney problems)
In severe cases, collapse, seizures, or not producing urine

What treatment involves

Decontamination if the exposure was recent. Your vet may induce vomiting and give activated charcoal. Don’t do this at home; home methods can be dangerous for cats.
IV fluids, often for 2–3 days, to protect the kidneys
Stomach protectants to prevent or treat ulcers
Bloodwork and urine tests to monitor kidney function over several days
Supportive care, such as anti-nausea medication and nutrition

Many cats recover fully when treated quickly. Some are left with lasting kidney damage and need long-term kidney care.

How to prevent it

Only give meloxicam to your cat if your veterinarian prescribed it for your cat, at the dose they set.
Never give your cat a dog’s medication, and store pet medications separately and clearly labeled.
Use the syringe or dropper that came with the product, and ask your vet to show you the correct marking.
Keep a written log so no one in the household gives a double dose.
Ask your vet about kidney monitoring if your cat needs pain relief long term, and about other pain options for arthritis, such as frunevetmab (Solensia), a monthly injection approved for cats.
Never give cats human pain relievers. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is deadly to cats, and ibuprofen and naproxen are also toxic.

Frequently asked questions

My cat got one extra dose by accident. Is that an emergency?

Call your vet or a poison control line right away. Whether treatment is needed depends on the amount, your cat’s weight, and their kidney health, and early treatment is far more effective than waiting for signs.

Why did my vet prescribe meloxicam if it’s risky?

Veterinarians can legally prescribe it off-label when they judge the benefits outweigh the risks, sometimes with lower doses and kidney monitoring. If you’re worried, ask your vet how they’re managing the risk for your cat.

Sources

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.