Let's cut straight to the point. The answer to "can cats take Metacam?" is a heavily qualified yes, but only under extremely specific, short-term circumstances and with intense veterinary supervision. It is not a casual medication. Giving Metacam (meloxicam) to a cat is one of the most high-stakes decisions in feline medicine. Get it right, and you might manage acute post-surgical pain. Get it wrong, and you could be facing irreversible kidney failure or a fatal stomach ulcer within days.

I've seen both outcomes. The panic in an owner's voice when they call because they gave their cat "just a drop" of the dog's Metacam is a sound I won't forget. This guide isn't about scaring you. It's about arming you with the precise, nuanced information you need to have an informed conversation with your vet and protect your cat.

What Is Metacam (Meloxicam), Really?

Metacam is a brand name for meloxicam, which belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Its job is to reduce inflammation, pain, and fever. In dogs, it's commonly prescribed for arthritis and post-operative pain. For cats, the story is completely different.

Cats have a unique and sluggish metabolism. They lack certain liver enzymes to efficiently process drugs like humans or dogs do. This makes them exquisitely sensitive to NSAIDs. A dose that would be standard for a small dog can be catastrophic for a cat of the same weight. The primary danger zones are the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract.

Canine Metacam vs. Feline Metacam: It's Not the Same Bottle

This is the single most important piece of information in this article. The Metacam you get for a dog is not the same product as the one labeled for cats in some countries, and using the wrong one is a medical emergency.

In the United States, there is no FDA-approved oral Metacam for cats. Any oral use is strictly "off-label," meaning it's used at the veterinarian's discretion outside its official approval. This places a massive burden of responsibility on your vet—and on you to understand the risks.

When Might a Vet Prescribe Metacam for a Cat?

The window for safe(r) use is vanishingly small. Here are the only scenarios where a knowledgeable vet might consider it:

1. Single Post-Operative Dose (The "Gold Standard" Scenario)

This is the closest thing to an accepted protocol, particularly following procedures like spays or declaws (though declawing itself is increasingly controversial). The vet administers one single injection under controlled conditions, often at the time of surgery. This provides pain relief during the critical first 24 hours. It is almost never followed by oral dosing at home.

2. Acute, Severe Pain with No Other Options

Imagine a cat with a traumatic fracture, in immense pain, and other painkillers (like opioids) are unavailable or contraindicated. A vet might use a very carefully calculated dose of oral meloxicam as a last resort for a day or two, with hospitalization for IV fluids to protect the kidneys. This is a crisis management tool, not a treatment plan.

What "Going Wrong" Looks Like: Signs of Toxicity

If your cat is on meloxicam, you become a surveillance system. Kidney damage can be silent until it's advanced. Watch for these red flags:

Early Gastrointestinal Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, refusing food, seeming "off." This can progress to black, tarry stool (indicating stomach bleeding).

Kidney Distress Signs: Increased thirst and urination, followed by decreased or no urination. Lethargy, hiding, weakness. A hunched posture can indicate abdominal pain.

The timeline? Symptoms can appear within hours of an overdose, or build insidiously over 2-5 days of repeated dosing. If you see any of these signs, stop the medication and call your vet immediately. This is not "wait and see" territory.

What to Use Instead: Safer Long-Term Pain Management

For chronic conditions like osteoarthritis in senior cats—which is incredibly common—NSAIDs like Metacam are a dangerous long-term solution. The modern approach is multimodal management: combining several safer strategies.

The Multimodal Toolbox for Feline Arthritis Pain:

1. Solensia (Frunevetmab): This is a game-changer. It's a monthly injectable monoclonal antibody that targets Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a key player in arthritis pain. It's not an NSAID, so it doesn't risk the kidneys or GI tract. Many cats show remarkable improvement in mobility. (See the Zoetis Solensia page for veterinary information).

2. Therapeutic Diets & Supplements: Prescription joint diets (like Hill's j/d or Purina JM) contain high levels of omega-3s, antioxidants, and glucosamine. Over-the-counter supplements like Cosequin can also help, but discuss with your vet first.

3. Environmental Modification: This is free and highly effective. Provide ramps to favorite perches, orthopedic beds, raised food/water bowls, and non-slip floor runners. Keep litter boxes low-sided and easily accessible.

4. Other Medications: Gabapentin is widely used for chronic pain and anxiety in cats. It's very safe when dosed properly. For acute flare-ups, a vet might use a very short course of a steroid like prednisolone, which carries its own risks but is metabolized differently than NSAIDs.

5. Physical Therapies: Veterinary laser therapy (cold laser) reduces inflammation and pain without drugs. Acupuncture and gentle massage can also be beneficial.

Your Urgent Questions, Answered

So, can cats take Metacam? The technical possibility exists within a razor-thin margin of error, reserved for specific acute situations under direct veterinary control. For the vast majority of cat owners seeking pain relief—especially for chronic issues like arthritis—it is not the answer. The risks consistently outweigh the benefits.

Your job is to be your cat's advocate. If Metacam is suggested, ask your vet: "Why this over other options? What bloodwork have we done? What's our exact monitoring plan?" An informed conversation is your best tool for ensuring your cat's safety and comfort. The goal is always a pain-free cat, but never at the cost of their long-term health.