Medically reviewed by: Medsdog Team
Last Updated:August 2026
Amoxicillin is one of the most prescribed antibiotics for treating various infections in dogs. That might sound simple, but there is a little more to consider. Administration of dogs Amoxicillin in a right dose matter for both safety and recovery.
Here’s what most dog owners actually want to know. This guide gives you the standard amoxicillin dosage for dogs by weight, a full chart in kg and lbs, a dedicated 500mg tablet breakdown, and answers to the specific dosing questions canine owners and vet techs search for most.
Quick Dosage Guidelines: The standard amoxicillin dosage for dogs is 5 mg/lb (approximately 10 mg/kg), given two to three times daily, depending on the type and severity of the infection.
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Amoxicillin Dosage Calculator for Dogs
Estimate a standard amoxicillin dose based on your dog’s weight
Estimated Dose
Amoxicillin for Dogs Overview
- Drug name: Amoxicillin
- Popular Brand Names: Amoxi-Tabs®, Amoxi-Drops® or Robamox®
- Human Formulation: Human formulations: Amoxil® (Beecham) and Polymox® (Apothecon)
- Drug class: Penicillin-type antibiotic (broad-spectrum)
- Used for: Skin infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), respiratory infections, wound and dental infections
- Not effective against: Viral infections or parasites
- Available forms: Tablets/capsules (50mg, 100mg, 250mg, 400mg, 500mg), oral liquid suspension (commonly 50 mg/mL)
- Standard dosage: 5 mg per pound of body weight (≈10mg/kg), every 12 hours
- Typical course length: 7–14 days, or at least 48 hours past symptom resolution
- Prescription status: Prescription-only (veterinarian-directed)
- Common side effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite
- Serious risks: Allergic reaction (facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing); overdose symptoms
What is Amoxicillin for Dogs and How does it work?
Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that belongs to the penicillin family.
The way it works is that it prevents the bacteria from producing their cell wall which in effect kills or stops the growth of harmful bacteria. It is commonly prescribed for:
- Skin infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Respiratory infections
- Wound infections
Amoxicillin is relatively safe if used as directed by your veterinarian, but the dosage should be adjusted based on your dog’s weight and health condition.
Is Human Amoxicillin Safe for Dogs?
Caution: Human Amoxicillin often contain xylitol, or other unsafe additives that can be harmful to dogs. Always use dog amoxicillin specially formulated for canines. The correct dosage for dog’s depends on how heavy they are, what kind of bacterial infection they are suffering from, and how healthy they are.
Do not give your dog leftover human amoxicillin without first consulting your veterinarian. Human medicines can be out of date, not kept properly or may not be appropriate for your dog.
Some human amoxicillin products also have extra additives like flavors or sweeteners or other drugs combined to it (such as Amoxicillin-clavulanate in varying strengths) which may not be suitable for a dog.
Administering the wrong medication or dosage can result in treatment failure, antibiotic resistance, stomach upset, allergic reaction or side effects.
Amoxicillin Dosage for Dogs by Weight
The amoxicillin dose for dogs per kg is calculated the same way regardless of breed: 5–10 mg per pound of body weight (10 mg/kg), every 8 or 12 hours. The liquid Amoxi-Drop (Amoxicillin) Oral suspension dosage for dogs is 0.2 mL/kg.
Your vet may dose toward the lower end for mild infections and the higher end for more severe or resistant ones.
Let’s break this down in a way that’s easy to understand. Converting between units trips a lot of people up, especially vet techs working from a per-ounce order. Here’s a quick example: if a dog weight 15 mg/kg, that converts to roughly 0.43 mg per ounce of body weight (since 1 kg ≈ 35.27 oz, 15 ÷ 35.27 ≈ 0.425 mg/oz). Always double-check unit conversions against the prescription label — mg/kg and mg/lb are not interchangeable without doing the math.
Amoxicillin Dosage Chart for Dogs
| Dog Weight (lbs) | Dog Weight (kg) | Recommended Dose (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10 | 2.3–4.5 | 25 |
| 10–20 | 4.5–9 | 90 |
| 20–40 | 9–18 | 180 |
| 40–60 | 18–27 | 360 |
| 60–80 | 27–36 | 540 |
Note: Always round to the nearest tablet strength and never split a capsule unless approved by your vet.
Amoxicillin 500mg For Dogs Dosage Chart
A 500 mg amoxicillin tablet may be suitable for medium and large dogs, but the exact amount depends on your dog’s weight and the prescribed dosage. Small dogs often require a lower-strength tablet or liquid suspension for accurate dosing.
| Dog Weight | Low Dose (5 mg/lb) | Amoxicillin 500 mg Tablets |
|---|---|---|
| 25 lbs (11.3 kg) | 125 mg | 1/4 Tablet |
| 30 lbs (13.6 kg) | 150 mg | 1/3 Tablet |
| 40 lbs (18.1 kg) | 200 mg | 2/5 Tablet |
| 50 lbs (22.7 kg) | 250 mg | 1/2 Tablet |
| 60 lbs (27.2 kg) | 300 mg | 1/2 Tablet |
| 70 lbs (31.8 kg) | 350 mg | 1 Tablet |
| 80 lbs (36.3 kg) | 400 mg | 1 Tablet |
| 90 lbs (40.8 kg) | 450 mg | 1 Tablet |
| 100 lbs (45.4 kg) | 500 mg | 1 Tablet |
Amoxi-Drop Dosage Chart for Dogs
| Dog Weight | Amoxicillin Dose (10 mg/kg) | Amoxi-Drop 50 mg/mL |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | 20 mg | 0.4 mL |
| 5 kg | 50 mg | 1.0 mL |
| 10 kg | 100 mg | 2.0 mL |
| 15 kg | 150 mg | 3.0 mL |
| 20 kg | 200 mg | 4.0 mL |
| 25 kg | 250 mg | 5.0 mL |
| 30 kg | 300 mg | 6.0 mL |
| 35 kg | 350 mg | 7.0 mL |
| 40 kg | 400 mg | 8.0 mL |
| 45 kg | 450 mg | 9.0 mL |
| 50 kg | 500 mg | 10.0 mL |
Frequency: If a veterinarian has prescribed the 10 mg/kg dose, it may be given every 8–12 hours, depending on the infection and veterinary instructions.
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Oral Amoxicillin for Dogs: Tablets, Capsules & Liquid Suspension Dosage
Amoxicillin for dogs comes in three oral forms, and the dosage math is the same across all of them — only the delivery changes:
- Tablets (including scored 500mg, 250mg, and 100mg strengths) most common for medium-to-large dogs, can typically be given with or without food.
- Capsules — dosed the same as tablets by weight.
- Oral liquid suspension (commonly 50 mg/mL) most often used for puppies and small dogs, or for owners who find measuring a liquid dose easier than splitting a pill.
Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (Clavamox) Dosage: A Quick Note
If your vet has prescribed amoxicillin combined with clavulanate brand names include Clavamox and Augmentin the dosing is different from plain amoxicillin, since clavulanate is dosed alongside it in a fixed ratio. Rather than duplicating that math here, use our dedicated amoxicillin-clavulanate dosage calculator for dogs or the Clavamox dosage calculator for dogs for a per-kg breakdown specific to that combination drug.
How Amoxicillin Is Given to Dogs
Amoxicillin for dogs comes in a few forms, and your vet will choose based on your dog’s size, age, and how easily they’ll take medication:
- Tablets: most common for medium to large dogs; can typically be given with or without food.
- Capsules: similar use case to tablets.
- Oral liquid suspension: often used for puppies or small dogs, and for owners who find it easier to measure a liquid dose than split a pill.
If your puppy tends to get an upset stomach from medication, giving the dose with a small amount of food can help — but check with your vet first, since some formulations are meant to be given on an empty stomach.
How Long Does a Dog Take Amoxicillin For?
Typically, these courses will take 7-14 days, although your vet may want to extend these times in the case of more severe infections.
For Standard Infections: Many skin, soft tissue, or upper respiratory infections require a course of 5 to 7 days.
Urinary Tract or Stubborn Infections: 10 to 14 days.
In veterinary medicine, the rule is to keep on giving the antibiotics for a minimum of 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared up, not “until your dog seems fine.
One of the most common reasons for infection to return is by stopping treatment early, and by doing this, antibiotics will become more resistant to treating infections.
Are dogs able to overdose on Amoxicillin?
Yes. A dog may overdose if a dose is doubled up by accident, the dog gets a full bottle of pills or the dose is miscalculated. Severe vomiting or diarrhea, unsteadiness or odd behavior may be signs. Don’t delay and watch to see if symptoms develop; contact your vet, emergency animal hospital, or animal poison control center immediately if you suspect an overdose or accidental ingestion.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you can unless it is time for the next dose — skip the missed dose and resume with the regular dose schedule. Never double up doses to compensate for a missed dose unless directed by your vet.
When it’s time to visit your veterinarian.
When to Call Your Vet
- After a few days, your dog’s symptoms are not getting any better.
- New or increased side effects are noticed.
- Don’t know if the label states the right dosage, form or frequency.
- You are aware that your dog has kidney, liver or other health issues that were not discussed with your vet when you first discussed the topic.
How to Use Amoxicillin For Dogs Dosage Calculator
- Enter the weight of your dog (in pounds or kilograms).
- Choose the type of the infection, if necessary (higher doses are required for some infections).
- The exact dose in milligrams and recommended frequency is provided on the calculator.
- Confirm with your veterinarian before administering.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping vet consultation Even weight based calculators should not be used instead of professional advice.
- Incorrect splitting of tablets: Not all forms can be safely split.
- Overdosing: May cause vomiting, diarrhea or cause serious problems with the kidneys.
- Underdosing: May cause under treatment of the infection and bacteria development.
Other Antibiotics for Dogs (Comparison)
If amoxicillin isn’t the right fit for your dog’s infection, your vet may consider one of these instead:
| Antibiotic | Typical Use Cases | Dosage Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cephalexin (or link to your dedicated Cephalexin post if separate) | Skin infections, wounds | Weight-based; similar mg/kg dosing to amoxicillin |
| Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Clavamox) dosage for dogs | UTIs, dental infections | Combination drug; dosed by the clavulanate ratio, not straight mg/kg |
| Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) dosage for dogs | Broader bacterial coverage, some resistant infections | Often used when penicillin-class drugs aren’t suitable |
| Penicillin dosage for dogs by weight | General bacterial infections | Same drug family as amoxicillin, different absorption profile |
| Augmentin dosage for dogs | Infections resistant to plain amoxicillin | Human-brand amoxicillin-clavulanate; vet-directed use only |
Safety Tips and Precautions
- Administer with food to lessen stomach upset.
- Finish the entire course despite improvement in the symptoms.
- Keep medications in the cool dry place without the presence of children and pets.
- Look at allergic reactions, e.g. swelling, itching, and difficulty breathing.
Sources
- DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) — Amoxi-Tabs amoxicillin tablet veterinary drug label
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — antimicrobial use guidelines
- The Veterinary Journal — International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) urinary tract treatment guidelines
- Zoetis — Amoxi-Tabs / Amoxil product information
FAQs
Can I give amoxicillin for humans to my dog?
Just by the instructions of a veterinarian. The formulation made by humans can have additives that are not safe to dogs. Dosage must be weight-based.
How long should I put your dog on amoxicillin?
7 -14 days, usually, the infection. Complete the entire full course unless directed otherwise by your vet.
What if my dog misses a dose?
Administrate the dose that is missed as soon as possible unless this is close to the time the next dose is due. Do not double dose without consulting your vet.
Can puppies be treated with amoxicillin?
Yes, provided that the dosage is calculated attentively depending on weight and age. Young dogs should always be taken to the doctor.
Are there side effects?
Mild adverse effects are vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite. There are severe reactions that are rare and demand immediate attention of the veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
It is essential to have the right dosing of amoxicillin Dosage for dogs in order to keep your dog healthy. Having such useful tools as the Amoxicillin For Dogs dosage calculator and weight-based chart, you may be sure that it is safe to use antibiotics without making typical errors.
Before administering any medicine, you must always do so under the advice of a veterinarian, keep a check on your pets reaction to the given drug, and finish the treatment.
With Amoxicillin for dogs dosage chart calculator and professional advice, your dog will be able to safely and promptly recover the bacterial infections.
