NSAIDs Used for Pain Management in Dogs and Cats
Drug | Dosagea |
|---|---|
Carprofen | Dogs: 2.2 mg/kg, PO or SC, q 12 hb; or 4.4 mg/kg, PO or SC, q 24 hc |
Deracoxib | Dogs: 1–2 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h; or, for postoperative pain, 3–4 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for maximum of 7 daysd |
Etodolac | Dogs: 10–15 mg/kg, PO, q 24 he,f |
Firocoxib | Dogs: 5 mg/kg, PO, q 24 hf |
Grapiprant | Dogs: 2 mg/kg, PO, q 24 hg |
Ketoprofen (not approved for use in the US) | Dogs: 2 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 4 doses, followed by 1 mg/kg, PO, q 24 hh; or 0.5 mg/kg, SC, once, followed by 0.25 mg/kg, PO, q 24 hi Cats: 1 mg/kg, PO, IV, SC, or IM, q 24 h for up to 5 daysj,k |
Meloxicam | Dogs: 0.1 mg/kg, IV, SC, or PO, q 24 hh Cats: 0.1–0.3 mg/kg, SC, oncel; or 0.01–0.03 mg/kg, PO, q 24 hm |
Robenacoxib | Dogs: 1–2 mg/kg, PO or SC, q 24 hn,o Cats: 2 mg/kg, SC, every 24 h for 3 daysp; or 1 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 3 daysq |
aAll NSAIDs may be administered as needed at the dosages specified here. If no dosage is listed for cats, the drug is not recommended for use in that species. bAlves JC, Santos AM, Jorge PI. Effect of an oral joint supplement when compared to carprofen in the management of hip osteoarthritis in working dogs. Top Companion Anim Med. 2017 Dec;32(4):126-129. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2017.10.003 cKampa N, Kaenkangploo D, Jitpean S, et al. Study of the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, marine based fatty acid compounds (PCSO-524 and EAB-277), and carprofen for the treatment of dogs with hip osteoarthritis: a prospective, block-randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1033188. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1033188 dRoberts ES, Van Lare KA, Marable BR, Salminen WF. Safety and tolerability of 3-week and 6-month dosing of Deramaxx® (Deracoxib) chewable tablets in dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2009;32:329-337. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.2008.01043.x eMiyamoto H, Onuma H, Shigematsu H, Suzuki S, Sakashita H. The effect of etodolac on experimental temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in dogs. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2007;35(8):358-363. doi:10.1016/j.jcms.2007.06.001 fHanson PD, Brooks KC, Case J, et al. Efficacy and safety of firocoxib in the management of canine osteoarthritis under field conditions. Vet Ther. 2006;7(2):127-140. gRausch-Derra L, Huebner M, Wofford J, Rhodes L. A prospective, randomized, masked, placebo-controlled multisite clinical study of grapiprant, an EP4 prostaglandin receptor antagonist (PRA), in dogs with osteoarthritis. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30(3):756-763. doi:10.1111/jvim.13948 hLuna SP, Basílio AC, Steagall PV, et al. Evaluation of adverse effects of long-term oral administration of carprofen, etodolac, flunixin meglumine, ketoprofen, and meloxicam in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2007;68(3):258-264. doi:10.2460/ajvr.68.3.258 iMonteiro BP, Lambert C, Bianchi E, Genevois JP, Soldani G, Troncy E. Safety and efficacy of reduced dosage ketoprofen with or without tramadol for long-term treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Vet Res. 2019;15(1):213. doi:10.1186/s12917-019-1960-3 jPelligand L, Suemanotham N, King JN, et al. Effect of cyclooxygenase(COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibition on furosemide-induced renal responses and isoform immunolocalization in the healthy cat kidney. BMC Vet Res. 2015;11:296. doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0598-z kUK Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Summary of product characteristics: Ketofen 20mg tablets. AN 01836/2025. Revised October 2025. https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/productinformationdatabase/files/SPC_Documents/SPC_87039.PDF lUS Food and Drug Administration. Metacam (meloxicam 5 mg/mL solution for injection). Freedom of Information Summary, NADA 141-219. Approved October 28, 2004. https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/751 mGunew MN, Menrath VH, Marshall RD. Long-term safety, efficacy and palatability of oral meloxicam at 0.01–0.03 mg/kg for treatment of osteoarthritic pain in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2008;10(3):235-241. doi:10.1016/j.jfms.2007.10.007 nKrystalli A, Kazakos GM, Savvas I, Prassinos NN. Lack of effectiveness of tramadol for earlier limb weight-bearing after femoral head and neck excision in 38 dogs. Animals (Basel). 2026;16(7):1064. doi:10.3390/ani16071064 oLees P, Toutain PL, Elliott J, Giraudel JM, Pelligand L, King JN. Pharmacology, safety, efficacy and clinical uses of the COX-2 inhibitor robenacoxib. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2022;45(4):325-351. doi:10.1111/jvp.13052 pRogers JB, Mazepa AS, Kaufman KL, Eskander BS, Jackson AH. Evaluation of cats treated with robenacoxib after gastrointestinal surgery. J Feline Med Surg. 2024;26(11):1098612X241277024. doi:10.1177/1098612X241277024 qPisack EK, Kleine SA, Hampton CE, et al. Evaluation of the analgesic efficacy of grapiprant compared with robenacoxib in cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy in a prospective, randomized, masked, non-inferiority clinical trial. J Feline Med Surg. 2024;26(3):1098612X241230941. doi:10.1177/1098612X241230941 | |