Meloxicam vs Carprofen: Comparing Two Common Canine NSAIDs

Published 2026-04-05

Meloxicam and carprofen are two of the most commonly prescribed canine NSAIDs, and they're similar enough that owners often want a direct comparison. Here's how they actually differ.

Same Drug Class, Different Formulations

Both meloxicam and carprofen are NSAIDs that work by reducing prostaglandin production through COX enzyme inhibition, with some degree of COX-2 selectivity in both cases. The most practical difference for owners is formulation and dosing: meloxicam is frequently dispensed as an oral liquid (dosed by body weight with a syringe) as well as tablets, while carprofen is most commonly dispensed as a flavored chewable tablet.

Dosing Schedule Differences

Meloxicam is typically dosed once daily. Carprofen can be dosed once or twice daily depending on the case and your vet's preference. Neither schedule is inherently better — it often comes down to what fits your household's routine and how your specific dog tolerates each option.

Which One Might a Vet Choose?

Some vets have a default preference based on clinical experience and comfort; others choose based on a dog's specific situation — a dog who's difficult to pill might do better on a liquid meloxicam formulation, while a dog who readily takes flavored chewables might do fine on either. Cost, insurance coverage, and prior response to one or the other in that specific dog also factor in.

Switching Between Them

Vets sometimes switch a dog from one to the other if response is inadequate or side effects appear, though this typically involves a short washout period rather than an immediate swap, since both are NSAIDs and overlapping them raises GI risk the same way combining any two NSAIDs would. See our drug interactions guide for more on why NSAID overlap matters.

The Bottom Line

Meloxicam and carprofen are both well-established, effective options for canine pain management, and the choice between them is a clinical judgment call your vet makes based on your dog's specific situation — neither is a universal upgrade over the other. See our carprofen vs Rimadyl comparison for how carprofen itself compares across brands.