Clavamox Dose for Dogs: Complete Vet-Approved Dosing & Safety Guide

What Is Clavamox and What Is It Used for in Dogs?

Clavamox is a broad-spectrum antibiotic combining two active ingredients: amoxicillin (a penicillin-class antibiotic) and clavulanate potassium (a beta-lactamase inhibitor). Manufactured by Zoetis under the brand name Clavamox®, it also comes as Clavamox Drops for smaller dogs and puppies. Generic equivalents are sold as amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets or oral suspension, and the human-formulation equivalent is known as Augmentin® — though you should never substitute human formulations without explicit veterinary direction, as the concentration ratios differ.

Veterinarians prescribe Clavamox for dogs to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including:

• Skin and soft tissue infections: Wound infections, abscesses, cellulitis, pyoderma, and infected hot spots
• Dental and oral infections: Periodontal disease, tooth root abscesses, gingival infections
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Uncomplicated bacterial cystitis
• Respiratory infections: Bacterial pneumonia (as part of a broader treatment protocol)
• Ear infections: Otitis externa or media when bacterial origin is confirmed
• Bone and joint infections: Osteomyelitis (typically at higher doses and longer durations)

Clavamox is particularly valued because the clavulanate component defeats bacterial resistance mechanisms. Many bacteria produce an enzyme called beta-lactamase that destroys plain amoxicillin — the clavulanate neutralizes this enzyme, restoring amoxicillin's effectiveness against resistant strains like Staphylococcus aureus and certain E. coli variants.

Clavamox Dose for Dogs: Weight-Based Dosing Chart

The standard Clavamox dose for dogs is 6.25 mg per pound (13.75 mg/kg) of body weight, administered orally every 12 hours. This is the FDA-approved label dosage for skin and soft tissue infections. However, your veterinarian may adjust the dose or frequency based on the type and severity of infection, culture and sensitivity results, and your dog's individual health status.

Below is a practical reference showing the typical Clavamox dose for dogs by weight class. Your veterinarian will determine the exact dose — use this table for informational purposes only.

Typical Clavamox Dosing by Dog Weight (Standard Protocol: Every 12 Hours)

Dog Weight (lb / kg)	Dose per Administration (mg)	Common Tablet Strength Used	Daily Total (mg)
5 lb / 2.3 kg	31.25 mg	62.5 mg (half tablet)	62.5 mg
10 lb / 4.5 kg	62.5 mg	62.5 mg tablet	125 mg
20 lb / 9 kg	125 mg	125 mg tablet	250 mg
30 lb / 13.6 kg	187.5 mg	125 mg + half 125 mg	375 mg
40 lb / 18 kg	250 mg	250 mg tablet	500 mg
60 lb / 27 kg	375 mg	375 mg tablet	750 mg
80 lb / 36 kg	500 mg	2 × 250 mg tablets	1,000 mg
100 lb / 45 kg	625 mg	250 mg + 375 mg tablets	1,250 mg

Condition-specific adjustments your vet may make:

• Urinary tract infections: Standard dose (13.75 mg/kg q12h) is typically sufficient, as amoxicillin concentrates well in urine
• Deep skin infections / pyoderma: Some dermatologists recommend 22 mg/kg every 12 hours based on Merck Veterinary Manual pharmacokinetic data for deeper tissue penetration
• Bone infections (osteomyelitis): Higher doses and extended courses (6-8+ weeks) with possible surgical intervention
• Severe or resistant infections: Your vet may order a bacterial culture and sensitivity (C&S) test — typically costing $80-$150 — to confirm Clavamox is effective against the specific organism

How to Give Clavamox to Your Dog

Clavamox comes in two formulations: chewable tablets (62.5 mg, 125 mg, 250 mg, and 375 mg strengths) and oral suspension drops (62.5 mg/mL). The chewable tablets are beef-and-pork flavored and most dogs accept them readily as treats.

Administration guidelines:

• With or without food: Clavamox can be given with or without food. However, giving it with a small meal reduces the chance of gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea), which is the most common side effect. If your dog vomits after a dose on an empty stomach, try the next dose with food.
• Frequency: Every 12 hours (twice daily). Try to maintain consistent 12-hour intervals — for example, 8 AM and 8 PM — to keep blood levels stable.
• Duration: Typically 7-14 days for skin infections, 10-14 days for UTIs, and up to 21-28 days for deep pyoderma. Your vet will specify the course length.
• Complete the full course: Even if your dog looks better after 3-4 days, stopping early can cause the infection to return and promotes antibiotic resistance. The AVMA warns that incomplete antibiotic courses are a leading driver of resistant bacterial strains.
• Suspension storage: Clavamox Drops must be refrigerated after reconstitution and are stable for 10 days. Discard any unused suspension after this period. Shake well before each use.
• Tablet storage: Store chewable tablets at room temperature (68-77°F / 20-25°C) in their original container, away from moisture.

Clavamox Side Effects: What to Watch For

Most dogs tolerate Clavamox well, but as with any antibiotic, side effects can occur. The clavulanate component tends to increase GI side effects compared to plain amoxicillin.

Clavamox Side Effects in Dogs by Frequency

Side Effect	Estimated Frequency	Severity	What to Do
Decreased appetite	10-15%	Mild	Give with food; usually resolves within 1-2 days
Vomiting	5-10%	Mild to moderate	Give with food; if persistent >24 hours, contact vet
Diarrhea / loose stools	8-12%	Mild	Probiotic supplement may help; monitor hydration
Lethargy	3-5%	Mild	Monitor; usually transient in first 48 hours
Allergic reaction (hives, facial swelling)	<1%	Serious	Stop medication; contact vet immediately
Anaphylaxis (collapse, difficulty breathing)	<0.1%	Emergency	Emergency vet immediately — life-threatening
Severe bloody diarrhea	Rare	Serious	Stop medication; contact vet — possible C. difficile

How Long Does My Dog Need to Be on Clavamox?

Treatment duration depends on the infection type and severity. Your veterinarian will set the course length based on clinical guidelines and your dog's response:

• Superficial skin infections (hot spots, minor wounds): 7-10 days
• Deep pyoderma: 21-28 days, sometimes 4-6 weeks — and treatment should continue for at least 7 days beyond clinical resolution (no more visible lesions)
• Urinary tract infections: 7-14 days (uncomplicated); 4-6 weeks for recurrent or upper tract involvement (pyelonephritis)
• Dental infections: 7-14 days, often combined with dental procedure
• Ear infections: 14-21 days, typically alongside topical ear medications
• Bone infections: 6-8 weeks minimum, often combined with surgical debridement

A common mistake owners make is stopping the antibiotic when their dog "looks fine." According to the FDA's antimicrobial resistance guidance, incomplete courses select for resistant bacteria and can cause relapse that is harder and more expensive to treat. If your dog seems worse after 48-72 hours on Clavamox, contact your vet — the infection may be resistant and require a culture-guided antibiotic change.

Contraindications and Drug Interactions

Clavamox is not appropriate for every dog. Understanding contraindications and interactions helps you have an informed conversation with your veterinarian.

Dogs Who Should NOT Receive Clavamox

• Known penicillin allergy: Dogs with a documented hypersensitivity to amoxicillin, penicillin, or cephalosporin antibiotics should not receive Clavamox. Cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins occurs in approximately 1-3% of cases.
• History of Clavamox-associated liver injury: Though rare, if a dog previously developed hepatotoxicity on this medication, it should be avoided.
• Severe renal impairment (without dose adjustment): Amoxicillin is primarily excreted by the kidneys. Dogs with advanced kidney disease may need reduced doses or extended dosing intervals — your vet will adjust based on bloodwork (BUN, creatinine, SDMA values).
• Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters: Clavamox is lethal to many small herbivores due to fatal disruption of gut flora. If you have a multi-species household, store this medication securely and never cross-prescribe.

Drug Interaction Grid

Clavamox Drug Interactions in Dogs

Concurrent Medication	Interaction Type	Clinical Significance	Management
Bacteriostatic antibiotics (tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, erythromycin)	Antagonism — bacteriostatic drugs may reduce amoxicillin's bactericidal efficacy	Moderate	Avoid combining unless directed by vet; these drugs work by different mechanisms that can conflict
Methotrexate	Amoxicillin may reduce renal clearance of methotrexate, increasing toxicity risk	High	Vet may adjust methotrexate dose or choose alternative antibiotic
Probenecid	Blocks renal tubular secretion of amoxicillin, increasing blood levels	Moderate	Sometimes used intentionally to extend antibiotic effect; vet-supervised only
Mycophenolate (immunosuppressant)	Amoxicillin/clavulanate may reduce enterohepatic recirculation of mycophenolic acid	Moderate	Monitor immune markers; vet may adjust immunosuppressant dose
Warfarin (anticoagulant)	Broad-spectrum antibiotics may alter gut flora that produce vitamin K, potentially enhancing anticoagulant effect	Moderate	Monitor coagulation times (PT/INR) more frequently
Oral bacterin vaccines (e.g., leptospirosis oral vaccine)	Antibiotics may inactivate live bacterial vaccines	Low-Moderate	Separate antibiotic course and vaccination by at least 2 weeks

Always provide your veterinarian with a complete list of every medication, supplement, and over-the-counter product your dog is receiving before Clavamox is prescribed.

Monitoring Requirements and Follow-Up

For most straightforward infections in otherwise healthy dogs, Clavamox requires minimal monitoring beyond observing clinical improvement. However, certain situations call for more structured follow-up:

• Standard course (healthy adult dog, superficial infection): Phone check-in at 48-72 hours to confirm improvement; recheck exam at end of course if not fully resolved
• Deep or chronic infections: Recheck at 2 weeks and again 1 week after completing the course to confirm resolution
• Dogs with kidney or liver disease: Baseline bloodwork (CBC, chemistry panel) before starting; recheck at 2 weeks if course exceeds 14 days
• Recurrent UTIs: Urine culture and sensitivity before starting (to confirm susceptibility), and again 5-7 days after completing treatment (test of cure) — expect to pay $80-$150 per culture
• Long courses (>21 days): Periodic CBC and chemistry to monitor for rare hepatotoxicity or bone marrow effects

Clavamox Cost and Generic Availability

Clavamox is widely available as a generic, which significantly reduces cost compared to the brand-name product. Pricing varies by pharmacy, region, and tablet strength:

• Brand-name Clavamox chewable tablets: $1.50-$3.50 per tablet depending on strength
• Generic amoxicillin/clavulanate chewable tablets: $0.75-$2.00 per tablet
• Clavamox Drops (oral suspension, 15 mL bottle): $18-$35 brand; $12-$25 generic
• Typical 10-day course (medium dog, 40 lb): $30-$65 brand; $15-$40 generic
• Typical 14-day course (large dog, 80 lb): $60-$120 brand; $35-$75 generic

Cost-saving tips: Ask your vet for a written prescription and compare prices at online veterinary pharmacies (Chewy Pharmacy, 1-800-PetMeds, Covetrus). Many online pharmacies price-match. Ensure any online pharmacy is FDA-verified or carries the Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (Vet-VIPPS) accreditation. Never purchase from sites that offer antibiotics without requiring a valid prescription.

What to Do If You Miss a Dose or Suspect Overdose

Missed Dose

If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember — unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Never double up to make up for a missed dose. Doubling increases the risk of GI side effects (vomiting, diarrhea) without improving efficacy. Missing a single dose is unlikely to compromise treatment, but frequent missed doses can lead to subtherapeutic blood levels and treatment failure.

Overdose

Clavamox has a wide safety margin, and a single extra dose is unlikely to cause serious harm in most dogs. However, significant overdoses (3-5× the prescribed amount or more) can cause:

• Severe vomiting and diarrhea
• Crystalluria (crystal formation in urine) with very high doses, particularly in dehydrated dogs
• Neurological signs (tremors, seizures) at extreme doses, especially in dogs with impaired kidney function

If your dog ingests a large quantity of Clavamox (for example, got into an entire bottle), contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Have your dog's weight, the tablet strength, and the estimated number of tablets consumed ready. Ensure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water to help prevent crystalluria.

Are There Alternatives to Clavamox for Dogs?

Yes — your veterinarian may consider alternatives based on culture results, your dog's allergy history, infection type, or cost considerations:

• Cephalexin (Simplicef®, generic): First-line for many skin infections; similar spectrum without the clavulanate component. Typically dosed at 15-30 mg/kg every 12 hours. Often less expensive than Clavamox.
• Clindamycin (Antirobe®, Clindacure®): Preferred for dental infections, bone infections, and toxoplasmosis. Good tissue penetration. Dosed at 5.5-11 mg/kg every 12 hours.
• Enrofloxacin (Baytril®): Fluoroquinolone used for resistant gram-negative infections, UTIs, and prostatitis. Reserved for cases where culture confirms susceptibility, per AVMA antimicrobial stewardship guidelines. Not for use in growing dogs (under 8-18 months depending on breed size) due to cartilage damage risk.
• Doxycycline: Used for tick-borne diseases (Lyme, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma), respiratory infections, and leptospirosis. Dosed at 5 mg/kg every 12 hours.
• Amoxicillin alone (without clavulanate): Appropriate when culture confirms the organism is susceptible and does not produce beta-lactamase. Significantly cheaper — as low as $0.15-$0.50 per capsule.

The choice of antibiotic should always be guided by the specific infection, bacterial culture results when available, and your dog's individual health profile. Your veterinarian will select the most appropriate option based on AVMA antimicrobial stewardship principles, which prioritize narrow-spectrum agents when effective and reserve broad-spectrum drugs like Clavamox for cases where they are specifically indicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give my dog human Augmentin instead of Clavamox?

Augmentin is the human-formulation equivalent of amoxicillin/clavulanate, and the active ingredients are the same. However, the tablet sizes, concentrations, and inactive ingredients differ. Human Augmentin tablets are often much higher strength (500 mg, 875 mg) and difficult to split accurately for a dog's dose. Some human formulations also contain xylitol or other inactive ingredients that may not be ideal for dogs. Your vet can write a prescription that a human pharmacy can fill with the appropriate strength, or direct you to a veterinary-specific formulation. Never substitute without veterinary guidance.

Can Clavamox treat ear infections in dogs?

Clavamox can be part of ear infection treatment when a bacterial cause is confirmed, but most ear infections (otitis externa) are treated with topical ear medications rather than oral antibiotics alone. Your vet will typically perform an ear cytology to identify the organism — bacteria, yeast, or both — before prescribing. Oral Clavamox may be added if the infection has reached the middle ear (otitis media) or if topical treatment alone is insufficient.

Will Clavamox make my dog sleepy?

Drowsiness is not a common side effect of Clavamox. If your dog seems unusually lethargic after starting the medication, it is more likely related to the underlying infection than the drug itself. However, if lethargy is severe, accompanied by vomiting or pale gums, or persists beyond 48 hours, contact your veterinarian — this could indicate an adverse reaction or that the infection is not responding to treatment.

My dog is on Clavamox and has diarrhea — should I stop?

Mild, soft stools are common and usually resolve as your dog's gut flora adjusts. Adding a canine probiotic (such as FortiFlora or Proviable) 2 hours after each antibiotic dose can help. However, if the diarrhea is severe, bloody, accompanied by vomiting, or lasting more than 48 hours, contact your veterinarian before stopping the medication. Stopping an antibiotic course early without vet guidance risks treatment failure and antibiotic resistance.

Can puppies take Clavamox?

Yes, Clavamox is safe for puppies when prescribed by a veterinarian at the appropriate weight-based dose. Clavamox Drops (oral suspension) are often preferred for puppies because the liquid form allows precise dosing for small body weights. The suspension must be refrigerated and used within 10 days of reconstitution.

How quickly does Clavamox start working?

Most dogs show noticeable improvement within 48-72 hours of starting Clavamox. Skin infections may begin looking less inflamed within 2-3 days. UTIs often show improvement in urination frequency and comfort within 24-48 hours. If you see no improvement after 72 hours, contact your veterinarian — the organism may be resistant and require a different antibiotic based on culture and sensitivity testing.