Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Carprofen is dosed at 2.2–4.4 mg/kg PO q12-24h in dogs, per RIMADYL - Carprofen Tablet, Chewable [US Product Label]. Zoetis; 2019. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=27197d3c-8e25-4e78-b83b-ee26f9249369 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.219 (2026-08-01).. Carprofen is used in dogs for Osteoarthritis, postoperative pain, Perioperative analgesia. Routes documented in dogs: PO, SC. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Carprofen in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Rimadyl, Novox
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 2.2–4.4 mg/kg | q12-24h | Long-term for OA; short-term postop | Osteoarthritis, postoperative pain | Strong | RIMADYL - Carprofen Tablet, Chewable [US Product Label]. Zoetis; 2019. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=27197d3c-8e25-4e78-b83b-ee26f9249369 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.219 (2026-08-01). |
| SC | 4.4 mg/kg | Single dose preop | Single dose | Perioperative analgesia | Strong | RIMADYL - Carprofen Tablet, Chewable [US Product Label]. Zoetis; 2019. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=27197d3c-8e25-4e78-b83b-ee26f9249369 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.219 (2026-08-01). |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Preferentially inhibits COX-2, reducing prostaglandin synthesis at sites of inflammation while relatively sparing COX-1 (GI, renal, platelet).
Hepatotoxicity reported (especially Labrador Retrievers). Monitor liver enzymes. GI ulceration risk. Avoid in cats (limited safety data). Not for use with other NSAIDs.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Carprofen dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 2.2–4.4 mg/kg q12-24h; SC 4.4 mg/kg Single dose preop. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Carprofen in dogs: PO, SC.
Cited course lengths for Carprofen in dogs include: Long-term for OA; short-term postop; Single dose. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Carprofen is indicated in dogs for: Osteoarthritis, postoperative pain, Perioperative analgesia.
These are general warnings for Carprofen across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Hepatotoxicity reported (especially Labrador Retrievers). Monitor liver enzymes. GI ulceration risk. Avoid in cats (limited safety data). Not for use with other NSAIDs.
Why a species-specific page? Carprofen pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.