Clavamox is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in veterinary medicine, and getting the dose right matters. This guide covers the FDA-approved dosing standard, a weight-based dosage chart, an interactive calculator, how to give it correctly, what to do if you miss a dose, and the questions vets get asked most often — answered plainly.
These are the answers to what every dog owner wonders after leaving the clinic — written for people who want to understand the medication they’re giving their dog, not just follow instructions blindly.
- 1 What exactly is Clavamox and what does it treat? Clavamox (amoxicillin trihydrate/clavulanate potassium) is a broad-spectrum combination antibiotic manufactured by Zoetis and FDA-approved for dogs. It combines amoxicillin — a penicillin-type antibiotic — with clavulanate potassium, a beta-lactamase inhibitor that prevents bacteria from breaking down the amoxicillin. Per the FDA-approved label (NADA 055-099), it treats skin and soft tissue infections — including wounds, abscesses, cellulitis, and superficial pyoderma — as well as periodontal (gum) infections in dogs. Veterinarians may also prescribe it off-label for respiratory and urinary tract infections. It does not work against viral or fungal infections, and is ineffective against Enterobacter or Pseudomonas species.
- 2 What is the standard Clavamox dose for dogs? The FDA-approved standard dose, per the official Zoetis package insert, is 6.25 mg per pound (lb) of body weight, given orally twice daily — once every 12 hours. In metric terms, this equals 12.5 mg per kilogram (kg). For the liquid drops form: 1 mL per 10 lbs of body weight every 12 hours. Both the tablets and drops are dosed at the same rate — only the format differs. Your veterinarian may adjust this dose based on the specific type of infection, the dog’s overall health, and the results of any culture and sensitivity testing performed.
- 3 How long does my dog need to take Clavamox? Duration depends on the type of infection — the package insert specifies different treatment windows for different conditions. Superficial skin and soft tissue infections (wounds, abscesses, cellulitis, shallow pyoderma): 5 to 7 days, or 48 hours after all symptoms have resolved. Periodontal (gum) infections: 5 to 7 days. Deep pyoderma (deep skin infection): up to 21 days. Urinary tract infections: 10 to 14 days or longer. The maximum treatment duration is 30 days. If your dog shows no improvement after 5 days of treatment, the FDA label specifies that therapy should be discontinued and the case reevaluated by your vet.
- 4 What are the most common side effects? The most common side effects are gastrointestinal — vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite — and they typically resolve once treatment ends. Giving Clavamox with food significantly reduces these effects. About 10% of dogs experience some GI upset. The most serious risk is an allergic reaction: signs include facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, or sudden collapse — these require immediate emergency veterinary care. Dogs with a known allergy to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics should not receive Clavamox, as cross-reactivity is possible.
- 5 My dog missed a dose — what should I do? Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s nearly time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and return to the regular schedule. Never give two doses at once to make up for a missed one — doubling a dose does not speed recovery and increases the risk of side effects. Missing doses or stopping Clavamox early — even when your dog seems better — allows resistant bacteria to survive and the infection to return, potentially in a harder-to-treat form. Complete the full course your vet prescribed regardless of how quickly symptoms improve.
- 6 Can I save money by using the human version of this drug? For tablets — possibly yes, with a written prescription from your vet. Clavamox tablets are chemically identical to Augmentin (the human equivalent). With a written vet prescription, you can fill tablets at a human pharmacy using a GoodRx coupon — often $10 to $30 for a full course versus $43 to $75 at the vet clinic. The FDA also approved the first generic amoxicillin/clavulanate oral suspension for pets in 2021. The liquid drops formulation is veterinary-specific and must come from a vet or licensed pet pharmacy. For tablets, ask your vet for a written prescription that you can fill elsewhere.
- 7 How should I store Clavamox? Storage requirements are different for tablets and liquid. Tablets: store at room temperature, below 25°C (77°F), in their original foil packaging — do not remove individual tablets until immediately before dosing. Liquid drops: must be refrigerated after reconstitution (mixing with water) and discarded after 10 days regardless of how much is left. Keep all forms out of reach of dogs and other pets — Clavamox chewable tablets are flavored and palatable enough that accidental ingestion of large quantities is a real risk.
Enter your dog’s weight to see the FDA-approved reference dose. This calculator reflects the standard 6.25 mg/lb dosing from the Zoetis package insert. Always follow your veterinarian’s specific prescribed instructions — this tool is for educational reference only.
Reference doses calculated at 6.25 mg per pound (12.5 mg/kg), given twice daily — per the FDA-approved Clavamox package insert. The suggested tablet combinations are reference guidance only; your vet may prescribe differently based on available tablet sizes and your dog’s specific needs.
| Dog Weight | Dose per Administration | Daily Total (2 doses) | Suggested Tablet(s) | Liquid Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs (2.3 kg) | 31.25 mg | 62.5 mg | ½ × 62.5 mg tablet | 0.5 mL |
| 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 62.5 mg | 125 mg | 1 × 62.5 mg tablet | 1 mL |
| 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | 93.75 mg | 187.5 mg | 1½ × 62.5 mg tablets | 1.5 mL |
| 20 lbs (9.1 kg) | 125 mg | 250 mg | 1 × 125 mg tablet | 2 mL |
| 25 lbs (11.3 kg) | 156.25 mg | 312.5 mg | 1 × 125 mg + ½ × 62.5 mg | 2.5 mL |
| 30 lbs (13.6 kg) | 187.5 mg | 375 mg | 1½ × 125 mg tablets | 3 mL |
| 40 lbs (18.1 kg) | 250 mg | 500 mg | 1 × 250 mg tablet | 4 mL |
| 50 lbs (22.7 kg) | 312.5 mg | 625 mg | 1 × 250 mg + ½ × 125 mg | 5 mL |
| 60 lbs (27.2 kg) | 375 mg | 750 mg | 1 × 375 mg tablet | 6 mL |
| 75 lbs (34.1 kg) | 468.75 mg | 937.5 mg | 1 × 375 mg + 1 × 62.5 mg | 7.5 mL |
| 100 lbs (45.4 kg) | 625 mg | 1,250 mg | 1 × 375 mg + 1 × 250 mg | 10 mL |
Doses calculated at 6.25 mg/lb (12.5 mg/kg) per FDA-approved Clavamox Chewable package insert (DailyMed). Tablet combinations are suggested reference guidance based on available sizes. Liquid drops at 62.5 mg/mL concentration. Confirm all dosing with your veterinarian. Half-tablet scoring is appropriate for the scored chewable tablets; confirm with your vet before splitting any tablet.
All Clavamox chewable tablets maintain a fixed 4:1 ratio of amoxicillin to clavulanate potassium. The total tablet weight is what determines the dose — not the amoxicillin content alone.
- 62.5 mg tablet: 50 mg amoxicillin + 12.5 mg clavulanate potassium — approved for dogs and cats; 9mm square, brown, scored
- 125 mg tablet: 100 mg amoxicillin + 25 mg clavulanate potassium — approved for dogs only; 11mm square
- 250 mg tablet: 200 mg amoxicillin + 50 mg clavulanate potassium — approved for dogs only; 15mm square
- 375 mg tablet: 300 mg amoxicillin + 75 mg clavulanate potassium — approved for dogs only; 18mm square
Tablets are brown, square, scored (can be broken in half along the score line), and do not have imprints. Per the manufacturer, even a broken tablet should be consumed in its entirety. Do not remove from the foil blister packaging until immediately before giving the dose.
Clavamox Drops come as a powder that must be mixed with exactly 14 mL of water before use. Once reconstituted, each 1 mL of liquid contains 62.5 mg of Clavamox (50 mg amoxicillin + 12.5 mg clavulanate). The FDA-approved liquid dose is 1 mL per 10 lbs of body weight, twice daily. After reconstitution, the suspension must be refrigerated and discarded after 10 days — regardless of how much liquid remains. The first generic amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium oral suspension for dogs and cats was FDA-approved in August 2021 (NADA approval). Shake the bottle well before each dose.
The technique matters — both for effectiveness and for reducing the stomach upset that is the most common reason owners call the vet during a Clavamox course.
The package insert specifies that Clavamox should be given with food. This isn’t optional advice — it meaningfully reduces the incidence of vomiting and diarrhea. Give the dose with a meal or immediately after eating. Most dogs accept the chewable tablets readily because they are flavored; if your dog won’t take it directly, hide the tablet in a small piece of soft food (peanut butter, cheese, a pill pocket), keeping the portion small so the dog eats the entire thing without picking around the tablet. For liquid drops, use the included dropper or an oral syringe — squirt gently into the side of the mouth, not straight to the back of the throat.
Twice daily means every 12 hours — not “morning and night” if those happen to be 8 hours apart. Antibiotics maintain their effectiveness by keeping a steady level of the drug in the bloodstream. Setting a phone alarm for the same two times every day is the simplest way to stay consistent. If your schedule makes 12-hour spacing genuinely difficult — say, 7am and 9pm rather than exactly 12 apart — a small variation of an hour or so won’t cause treatment failure, but consistent adherence to the schedule gives the best results.
This is the instruction that most owners break — and the one that matters most. Dogs typically feel better within 24 to 48 hours of starting Clavamox. That improvement means the drug is working, not that the infection is gone. Stopping early leaves surviving bacteria in the body — specifically the ones that were hardest to kill — which can reestablish the infection in a drug-resistant form that needs a longer or more expensive course to treat. If the full course feels excessive, ask your vet to explain the rationale — but complete it unless specifically told otherwise.
- Shake the bottle gently before each dose — the suspension settles between uses
- Draw the correct volume into the dropper or an oral syringe — measure precisely, not approximately
- Position your dog comfortably — sitting or standing, not lying down
- Insert the tip gently into the side of the mouth, between the cheek and the teeth — not straight to the back
- Dispense slowly in small amounts, allowing your dog to swallow between each squirt to prevent choking
- Offer a small treat or meal immediately after to help with palatability and reduce nausea
Clavamox is safe for most dogs — but not all. These are the situations that require extra care or disqualify Clavamox as an option.
- Dogs with penicillin allergy: Clavamox is a penicillin-class drug. Dogs with a documented allergy to any penicillin must not receive Clavamox — risk of a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction
- Dogs with cephalosporin allergy: Cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins is possible — inform your vet of any prior antibiotic reactions
- Dogs with known liver disease: Clavulanate is metabolized by the liver; impaired liver function may require dose adjustment or an alternative antibiotic
- Dogs with kidney disease: Amoxicillin is primarily excreted by the kidneys; discuss with your vet if your dog has known renal insufficiency
- Tetracycline or chloramphenicol: These bacteriostatic antibiotics may reduce Clavamox’s effectiveness when given at the same time
- Warfarin (anticoagulants): Amoxicillin can enhance the anticoagulant effect — dose monitoring may be required
- Methotrexate or mycophenolate (immunosuppressants): Clavamox may affect drug levels or kidney excretion of these medications
- Probenecid: Can increase amoxicillin blood levels by reducing kidney clearance
Tell your vet about every medication, supplement, or herbal product your dog is taking before starting Clavamox.
- Facial swelling, hives, or sudden skin welts
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or rapid breathing
- Sudden collapse, weakness, or pale gums
- Vomiting or diarrhea that begins within 30 minutes of the first dose and is severe
If you see any of these signs: stop the medication immediately and go to an emergency veterinarian or call poison control.
Accidental overdose of Clavamox — particularly if a dog chews into the entire prescription blister pack, which can happen because the tablets are flavored — can cause neurological signs (tremors, disorientation, seizures) and liver stress at very high doses. If you believe your dog consumed significantly more than the prescribed dose, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or your emergency veterinarian immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Keep all medications out of reach of pets — including in locked cabinet or high shelving.
These are the questions owners search for at 11pm, mid-course — when the vet office is closed and you’re not sure what to do.
Don’t stop without calling your vet — but do make adjustments. The single most effective fix for Clavamox-related vomiting is giving the dose with a larger meal. Many owners give the tablet on a nearly empty stomach — a small treat isn’t enough of a buffer. Give Clavamox mid-meal: put the tablet in food, let your dog eat half the meal, give the dose embedded in a bite of food, then let them finish the rest. If vomiting continues despite this, call your vet — there are alternative antibiotic options or anti-nausea medications that can be added to the regimen. Stopping early because of vomiting risks treatment failure.
Clavamox chewable tablets are flavored but not universally appealing to every dog. Most effective tricks in order of success: Pill pockets (soft treat pouches that mold around the tablet); a small piece of soft cheese with the tablet pressed inside; a spoonful of peanut butter; hiding in a piece of hot dog or deli meat. The pill-and-treat “triple trick” — give a treat, give the pill-loaded treat, immediately follow with another treat — often prevents spitting because the dog is in eating mode. If none of these work and your dog consistently refuses or picks out the tablet, ask your vet about switching to the liquid drops, which can be mixed into food.
Not without checking with your vet. The prescribed duration was determined based on the type of infection. For UTIs, the standard course is 10 to 14 days — shorter courses have higher recurrence rates in dogs. For deep pyoderma, the package insert specifies up to 21 days because deeper infections require longer antibiotic exposure to fully eradicate. Surface symptoms clearing up does not mean the underlying bacterial count has reached zero. If you feel the course is too long or your dog is having difficulty finishing it, call your vet — they can evaluate whether the duration can be adjusted based on how your dog is responding.
There are real, legitimate ways to reduce the cost. Ask your vet for a written prescription — you are legally entitled to one in all US states, and your vet cannot refuse to write it just because you want to fill it elsewhere. Clavamox tablets are chemically identical to generic amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin). At Costco pharmacy (no membership required for prescriptions), Walmart pharmacy, or any pharmacy with a GoodRx coupon (goodrx.com), a 14-day course of tablets often costs $10 to $30 versus $43 to $75 at the vet clinic. The liquid drops formulation is vet-specific and must come from a licensed pet pharmacy — savings are harder to find there.
This requires a conversation with your vet before starting or continuing treatment. Clavamox is classified as a pregnancy Category B drug — animal studies have not shown fetal harm at recommended doses, but there are no adequate controlled studies in pregnant dogs specifically. Clavamox does pass into milk in small amounts. The decision to use it during pregnancy or lactation is a clinical judgment your vet must make based on whether the benefit of treating the infection outweighs potential risks. Don’t assume it’s automatically safe or unsafe — ask explicitly if this applies to your dog.
⚕️ This guide is for educational purposes based on the FDA-approved Clavamox (amoxicillin trihydrate/clavulanate potassium) package insert (Zoetis; NADA 055-099 for tablets, NADA 055-101 for drops) as published on DailyMed/NLM. All dosing information — 6.25 mg/lb twice daily; tablet sizes 62.5 mg, 125 mg, 250 mg, 375 mg; duration guidelines — reflects the official label at time of writing and is for reference only. Your veterinarian’s specific prescribing instructions take precedence over this guide and must be followed exactly. Clavamox is a prescription drug available under US federal law only by or on the written order of a licensed veterinarian (21 CFR). Do not administer Clavamox from a prior prescription or purchase without a valid veterinary prescription. If you suspect overdose: ASPCA Animal Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661. This content is not affiliated with Zoetis, the FDA, or any veterinary organization. Drug pricing information reflects approximate market ranges and may change.