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Pets Safety Calculator
Pet Medication Dosage Calculator
Convert an already prescribed veterinary dose into mg per dose, liquid volume, tablet fraction, daily amount and total course quantity. This tool does not recommend medicines or doses.
Safety warning: Use this only with a dose, concentration and schedule from your veterinarian. Do not give human medicine, leftover medicine or another pet’s medicine without veterinary instructions.
Species matters. Cats are especially sensitive to many drugs.
Use the weight used by your veterinarian.
Converted to kilograms for mg/kg.
Enter the vet-prescribed dose in mg/kg.
Match the prescription label.
mg/mL for liquid or mg per tablet.
Example: twice daily = 2.
Number of days prescribed.
Never round more than your vet/pharmacist allows.
Enter the exact mg/kg dose and concentration from the prescription label. If anything does not match the label, stop and call your veterinarian or pharmacist.
How to use this dosage calculator safely
- Confirm the pet name, species, medication name, dose, strength and directions on the label.
- Enter only the dose your veterinarian prescribed, usually written as mg/kg or converted by the clinic.
- Compare the calculator result with the label. If there is any mismatch, do not give the medication until you verify it.
When to call the veterinarian
- You are not sure whether the dose is per dose or per day.
- The medication concentration on the bottle differs from your instructions.
- Your pet vomits, refuses medication, seems weak, collapses, has tremors or acts unusually.
Dosage formula
| Step | Formula | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Weight conversion | kg = lb / 2.2046 | Medication dosing usually uses kg. |
| Mg per dose | mg/dose = kg x prescribed mg/kg | Amount of active drug per dose. |
| Liquid volume | mL/dose = mg/dose / mg per mL | Only for liquid medication. |
| Tablet amount | tablets/dose = mg/dose / mg per tablet | Only if splitting tablets is approved. |
Sources and safety notes
Medication error prevention guidance is available from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. The American Veterinary Medical Association advises pet owners not to change prescriptions or reuse medications without consulting the prescribing veterinarian.
Pet Medication Dosage Calculator FAQ
Does this calculator tell me what dose to give my pet?
No. It only calculates the amount from a dose your veterinarian has already prescribed. Do not use it to choose a medication or dose.
Can I use dog medicine for a cat?
No. Some medicines that may be used in dogs can be dangerous or fatal to cats. Use only the medication prescribed for that exact pet.
What does mg/kg mean?
Mg/kg means milligrams of medication per kilogram of body weight. The calculator multiplies the prescribed mg/kg dose by the pet’s weight in kilograms.
What should I do if I think I gave the wrong dose?
Contact your veterinarian, an emergency veterinary clinic or a pet poison control service immediately. Do not wait for symptoms.