Rimadyl Dosage for Dogs
Rimadyl dosage — sometimes searched as "rimadyl for dogs dosage," "rimadyl canine dosage," or just "how much rimadyl for my dog" — follows the same active-ingredient math as generic carprofen, since Rimadyl is carprofen. This page reproduces the manufacturer's weight chart for 25mg, 75mg, and 100mg chewables and caplets, plus the injectable; see our full interactive dosage calculator for a weight-based reference tool that applies equally to Rimadyl and generic carprofen.
Only your veterinarian can determine the correct Rimadyl dose for your dog. The figures below come from the manufacturer's published chart and are not dosing instructions.
Rimadyl Dosage Chart by Weight (lbs)
The manufacturer's chart works from a target of 2 mg per pound of body weight per day and rounds each weight band to a practical number of tablets or half-tablets:
| Dog weight | Tablet and amount | Daily dose |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10 lbs | ½ of a 25 mg tablet | 12.5 mg |
| 11–15 lbs | 1 × 25 mg tablet | 25 mg |
| 16–20 lbs | ½ of a 75 mg tablet | 37.5 mg |
| 21–30 lbs | ½ of a 100 mg tablet | 50 mg |
| 31–40 lbs | 1 × 75 mg tablet | 75 mg |
| 41–60 lbs | 1 × 100 mg tablet | 100 mg |
| 61–90 lbs | 1½ × 100 mg tablets | 150 mg |
| 91–120 lbs | 2 × 100 mg tablets | 200 mg |
Source: manufacturer (Zoetis) Rimadyl dosing chart, based on the labeled 2 mg per lb once daily. The label also allows the same total split into 1 mg per lb twice daily.
How to Calculate a Rimadyl Dose for Your Dog
To calculate a Rimadyl dose, multiply your dog's weight in pounds by 2 to get the total milligrams per day (or the weight in kilograms by 4.4). Given once daily, that is the whole dose; given twice daily, each dose is half of it (1 mg per lb). Your vet then rounds the result to a whole or half tablet, so the prescribed amount is often a little above or below the exact arithmetic.
- Start from an accurate, current weight. A few pounds matters for small dogs. For overweight dogs, vets often dose on lean or ideal body weight rather than what the scale shows.
- Multiply by 2 mg per lb (or 4.4 mg per kg). This is the labeled total for the whole day, not per dose.
- Choose once or twice daily. Once daily: the whole total in one dose. Twice daily: half the total, about 12 hours apart. The daily total does not change.
- Round to real tablets. Rimadyl comes in 25, 75 and 100 mg scored tablets, so the dose is rounded to half-tablet steps or a combination of strengths. This rounding is your vet's decision.
Example: a 70 lb dog × 2 mg = 140 mg a day. Once daily that is 140 mg; twice daily it is 70 mg per dose. The manufacturer's chart band for 61–90 lb rounds this to 1½ × 100 mg tablets (150 mg) a day.
Because the chart rounds to half-tablets, the amount a dog actually receives can sit somewhat above or below the 2 mg per lb arithmetic, especially near the edge of a weight band. That is expected. What you should never do is change the number of tablets yourself, or calculate a dose for a dog that hasn't been prescribed Rimadyl.
Worked Examples: How Much Rimadyl for a 20, 50, 60, 70 or 100 lb Dog?
| Dog weight | Daily total (2 mg/lb) | Each dose if twice daily | Manufacturer's chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 40 mg | 20 mg | ½ × 75 mg (37.5 mg) |
| 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 100 mg | 50 mg | 1 × 100 mg (100 mg) |
| 60 lb (27.2 kg) | 120 mg | 60 mg | 1 × 100 mg (100 mg) |
| 70 lb (31.8 kg) | 140 mg | 70 mg | 1½ × 100 mg (150 mg) |
| 100 lb (45.4 kg) | 200 mg | 100 mg | 2 × 100 mg (200 mg) |
A vet may prescribe something different from the chart, for example combining a 100 mg and a 25 mg tablet for a 60 lb dog, or using a lower dose for a dog with kidney or liver concerns. The prescription label on your bottle is the dose to follow. For weights not shown here, see the carprofen worked examples, which use the same math.
How Often Can You Give Rimadyl? Once vs Twice Daily
Rimadyl can be prescribed once daily or split into two doses roughly 12 hours apart, depending on your dog's condition and your vet's preference. Follow the label and your vet's written instructions exactly, and never double up on a missed dose without checking with your vet's office first — see our guide on what to do if you miss a dose.
25mg, 75mg, and 100mg Rimadyl: Which Strength Is Which?
Rimadyl's strengths follow the same logic as generic carprofen — smaller tablets for smaller dogs, larger tablets for larger dogs, with combinations used to fine-tune the total daily dose to an individual dog's exact weight. A 25mg Rimadyl chewable is typically used for small dogs or as a fine-tuning strength; 75mg and 100mg cover most small-to-large dogs. There is no 50mg tablet; a dose near 50mg is made from two 25mg tablets or half of a scored 100mg tablet. See our full dosage chart for the underlying weight-based math.
Rimadyl Dosage Chart in Kilograms
Published references express the dose as roughly 2 mg per pound, which works out at about 4.4 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. If your vet records weight in kilograms, this is the same figure in metric:
| Dog weight | Tablet and amount | Daily dose |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3–4.5 kg | ½ of a 25 mg tablet | 12.5 mg |
| 5–6.8 kg | 1 × 25 mg tablet | 25 mg |
| 7.3–9.1 kg | ½ of a 75 mg tablet | 37.5 mg |
| 9.5–13.6 kg | ½ of a 100 mg tablet | 50 mg |
| 14–18.1 kg | 1 × 75 mg tablet | 75 mg |
| 18.6–27.2 kg | 1 × 100 mg tablet | 100 mg |
| 27.7–40.8 kg | 1½ × 100 mg tablets | 150 mg |
| 41.3–54.4 kg | 2 × 100 mg tablets | 200 mg |
This is a reference, not a prescription. A dog near a weight boundary can legitimately be dosed either side of it depending on their health history, and dogs over 120 lb need a vet-calculated dose.
Rimadyl Injectable Dosage
The injectable form (50 mg/mL) is given under the skin by a veterinary team, not at home. The labeled dose is the same 2 mg per lb (4.4 mg/kg) per day, given once daily or split into 1 mg per lb twice daily. For surgical pain, the first dose is given about 2 hours before the procedure.
| Dog weight | Volume |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | 0.2 mL |
| 10 lbs | 0.4 mL |
| 15 lbs | 0.6 mL |
| 20 lbs | 0.8 mL |
| 25 lbs | 1.0 mL |
| 50 lbs | 2.0 mL |
| 75 lbs | 3.0 mL |
| 100 lbs | 4.0 mL |
Mild swelling or warmth at the injection site was seen in the label's studies and was not clinically significant. See tablets vs injection.
How to Halve a Rimadyl Chewable
Rimadyl tablets are scored. The label says to place a tablet on a hard surface and press down on both sides of the score to halve it. The chewables are palatable, and most dogs take them from your hand or in food. Store them where your dog cannot reach them: if a dog eats more than prescribed, call your vet right away (Zoetis lists 1-888-963-8471 for questions and to report a suspected reaction).
How Many Days Can a Dog Stay on Rimadyl?
There is no fixed maximum. A post-surgical course is often just a few days to a couple of weeks, while a dog with osteoarthritis may stay on Rimadyl for years. What governs long-term use is not a day count but monitoring: vets typically run bloodwork before starting, recheck 2–4 weeks after starting, then about every 3–6 months to confirm liver and kidney values remain normal.
See how long a dog can stay on carprofen and why vets monitor bloodwork.
Maximum Dose and What Counts as an Overdose
The labeled maximum is the 2 mg per pound per day figure above — the daily total should not exceed it, whether given as one dose or split into two. Giving a second dose because the first was vomited, or because two people in the household each dosed the dog, is a common route to accidental overdose.
Do not wait for symptoms. Contact your veterinarian, an emergency clinic, or an animal poison control service straight away, and have the bottle with you so they know the strength and how many tablets are missing. See carprofen overdose signs in dogs.
Giving Rimadyl With or Without Food
Rimadyl can be given with or without food. Giving it with a meal is a common way to reduce stomach upset in dogs that get queasy on an empty stomach, and because the chewables are flavoured, most dogs take them readily either way. What matters more than timing is consistency: give it at about the same time each day, and do not double up after a missed dose — see what to do about a missed dose.
Try the Interactive Reference Calculator
Use our carprofen dosage chart and calculator — the same math applies to Rimadyl since it contains the same active ingredient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rimadyl dosage different from generic carprofen dosage?
No. Rimadyl and generic carprofen products share the same active ingredient at the same strengths, so dosing math is identical — your vet sets the actual prescription.
Can I give Rimadyl once a day?
Some dogs are prescribed a once-daily dose while others receive a split twice-daily schedule. Follow your vet's specific instructions.
What's a typical Rimadyl dosage chart by weight?
Published references generally scale close to 2 mg per pound of body weight per day across the 25mg, 75mg, and 100mg strengths — see our full interactive chart for the breakdown by weight band.
Is 25mg Rimadyl enough for a medium-sized dog?
It depends entirely on the dog's actual weight and the vet's calculated total daily dose — 25mg tablets are often combined with other strengths or given in multiples rather than used alone for larger dogs.
How much Rimadyl for a 50 lb dog?
At the labeled 2 mg per pound per day, a 50 lb dog works out near 100 mg daily — on the manufacturer's chart, one 100 mg tablet once daily (41–60 lbs). Your vet confirms the actual dose after weighing your dog and reviewing bloodwork.
How much Rimadyl for a 70 lb dog?
The manufacturer's chart lists 1½ × 100 mg tablets (150 mg) per day for dogs weighing 61–90 lbs. Your vet confirms the actual dose.
How much Rimadyl for a 20 lb dog?
The manufacturer's chart lists half of a 75 mg tablet (37.5 mg) per day for 16–20 lbs. Your vet confirms the actual dose.
What is the Rimadyl injection dose?
The injectable (50 mg/mL) is given under the skin at 2 mg per lb, which is about 0.4 mL per 10 lbs. It is given by a veterinary team, often about 2 hours before surgery.
How many days can a dog take Rimadyl?
There is no fixed limit. Post-surgical courses often run days to weeks, while arthritic dogs may stay on it for years with periodic bloodwork monitoring.
What is the maximum daily dose of Rimadyl?
The labeled maximum is 2 mg per pound of body weight per day in total, whether given once daily or split into two doses.
Should Rimadyl be given with food?
It can be given with or without food. Giving it with a meal helps some dogs avoid stomach upset, and consistency of timing matters more than whether food is involved.
Is the Rimadyl dose in kg different?
No, it is the same dose expressed differently — roughly 4.4 mg per kilogram per day, equivalent to 2 mg per pound.
What is the Rimadyl for dogs dosage?
Rimadyl for dogs dosage depends on weight and is set by your vet; our chart shows the manufacturer's published ranges. Do not use it to choose your own dose.
What is the Rimadyl 75 mg for dogs dosage?
The Rimadyl 75 mg for dogs dosage depends on the dog's weight, since 75 mg is one tablet strength. Your vet decides how many tablets to give and how often.