What Is Clavamox and What Does It Treat?
Clavamox is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used to treat bacterial infections in dogs. It is FDA-approved for dogs, and it is a combination product containing two ingredients that work together:
- Amoxicillin — a penicillin-type antibiotic that kills bacteria by disrupting their cell walls
- Clavulanic acid — a “beta-lactamase inhibitor”
The clavulanic acid is the clever part. Many bacteria defend themselves by producing an enzyme (beta-lactamase) that destroys penicillin-type antibiotics. Clavulanic acid blocks that enzyme, protecting the amoxicillin so it can do its job. The result is an antibiotic effective against a broader range of bacteria — including many that would resist plain amoxicillin.
Veterinarians commonly prescribe Clavamox for dogs with:
- Skin and soft-tissue infections, wounds, abscesses and pyoderma
- Urinary tract infections
- Dental and periodontal infections
- Other infections caused by susceptible bacteria
Clavamox is a long-established, generally well-tolerated antibiotic, and it is often a first-line choice for common canine infections.
Clavamox is a prescription medicine. Use the calculator above to understand the typical dose, but a veterinarian should confirm the diagnosis and set the prescription. For more, see PuppaDogs’ guides to Clavamox for dogs and the related antibiotic amoxicillin for dogs.
How the Clavamox Dosage Calculator Works
The calculator estimates a dose from your dog’s body weight and the type of infection. It then:
- Shows the twice-daily dose in milligrams.
- Converts it into tablets or millilitres of oral drops.
- Flags penicillin allergy and other relevant cautions.
Enter your dog’s weight, choose the infection type and the form you have, tick any health considerations, then press Calculate Dose.
How Clavamox Doses Are Calculated for Dogs
The Standard Dose
The standard label dose of Clavamox for dogs is:
Approximately 13.75 mg/kg of body weight, every 12 hours (twice daily).
For more serious or harder-to-clear infections, veterinarians sometimes use a higher dose — in the region of 20 mg/kg every 12 hours. The dose figure refers to the combined amount of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.
Course Length
Clavamox courses commonly run 5–7 days, or are continued for a couple of days beyond the point at which the signs resolve. Skin infections often need longer — sometimes two to three weeks or more. Your veterinarian sets the appropriate length, and it is important to finish the full course.
Forms and Strengths
- Tablets: 62.5 mg, 125 mg, 250 mg and 375 mg.
- Oral drops (liquid suspension): 62.5 mg/mL — convenient for small dogs and accurate dosing. The drops must be refrigerated and are usually discarded after about 10 days.
Clavamox Dosage Chart for Dogs
This chart shows the routine twice-daily dose (~13.75 mg/kg). It is a reference only — your veterinarian’s prescription takes priority.
| Dog weight | Dose per administration | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg (11 lb) | ~69 mg | every 12 h |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | ~138 mg | every 12 h |
| 20 kg (44 lb) | ~275 mg | every 12 h |
| 30 kg (66 lb) | ~413 mg | every 12 h |
| 40 kg (88 lb) | ~550 mg | every 12 h |
How to Give Clavamox to Your Dog
- Twice daily, roughly every 12 hours, at consistent times.
- Give with food — this reduces the chance of stomach upset and does not reduce how well it works.
- Hide tablets in a small treat, or measure the oral drops with the supplied syringe.
- Refrigerate the drops and shake well before each dose; discard them at the end of their short in-use life.
- Finish the entire course, even if your dog looks better after a few days.
- Missed dose: give it as soon as you remember, then continue on schedule; if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one — never double up.
Side Effects and Safety Warnings
Clavamox is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are mild and digestive:
- Reduced appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea or loose stool
Giving the medication with food helps. More serious reactions are uncommon.
Allergy Is the Key Concern
Because Clavamox contains a penicillin-type antibiotic, the most important safety issue is allergy. A dog with a known allergy to penicillins or cephalosporins should not receive Clavamox, and there is potential for cross-reactivity between these classes. Tell your veterinarian about any previous reaction so a different class of antibiotic can be used.
Stop the medication and contact your veterinarian promptly if you see signs of an allergic reaction — facial swelling, hives, intense itching or difficulty breathing — or severe or bloody diarrhoea.
When to Use Caution
- Penicillin or cephalosporin allergy — avoid Clavamox.
- Kidney disease — the drug is partly cleared by the kidneys; the dose or interval may need adjusting.
- Pregnant or nursing dogs — generally considered usable, but only on veterinary advice.
Why Finishing the Course Matters
It is tempting to stop an antibiotic once a dog looks better, but doing so is one of the most common mistakes in pet care. Stopping early can leave behind the hardiest bacteria, causing a relapse that is harder to treat, and contributes to antibiotic resistance. Give every dose, for the full length your veterinarian prescribed — even when your dog seems completely well.
Treatment Duration and Follow-Up
Most Clavamox courses run 5–7 days, but skin and other deep infections frequently need longer, and your vet may ask you to continue for a few days past apparent recovery. Your veterinarian may also schedule a recheck to confirm the infection has cleared, particularly for deep or recurrent infections. Return sooner if the infection worsens, fails to improve, or recurs after the course ends.
Conclusion
Clavamox (amoxicillin-clavulanate) is an effective, well-established, broad-spectrum antibiotic for canine skin, urinary, dental and soft-tissue infections, dosed at roughly 13.75 mg/kg every 12 hours for routine infections and somewhat higher for more serious ones. The calculator above gives you that estimate and converts it into tablets or oral drops. Because it is a prescription penicillin-class antibiotic, the diagnosis, dose and course length should always be set by your veterinarian — and the full course completed — to give your dog the best chance of a clean, lasting recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Clavamox do I give my dog?
The standard dose of Clavamox (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for dogs is about 13.75 mg/kg of body weight, given every 12 hours. For more serious infections, vets may use up to around 20 mg/kg twice daily. As a guide that is roughly 138 mg twice daily for a 22 lb dog. Your veterinarian sets the exact dose and course length.
What is Clavamox used for in dogs?
Clavamox is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in dogs for skin and soft-tissue infections, wounds and abscesses, urinary tract infections, dental and periodontal infections, and other infections caused by susceptible bacteria. The clavulanic acid component lets it work against bacteria that would resist plain amoxicillin.
How long does Clavamox take to work in dogs?
Many dogs show noticeable improvement within 2-3 days of starting Clavamox. However, the full course must still be completed – usually 5-7 days, and often longer for skin infections – because stopping early can allow the infection to relapse and promotes antibiotic resistance.
Should Clavamox be given with food?
Yes, giving Clavamox with food is recommended. Food reduces the chance of stomach upset such as reduced appetite, vomiting or loose stool, and it does not reduce how well the antibiotic works. The oral-drops form should also be kept refrigerated and shaken well before each dose.
What are the side effects of Clavamox in dogs?
Clavamox is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are mild digestive ones – reduced appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea – which are eased by giving it with food. The main serious concern is an allergic reaction; contact your vet promptly if you see facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing or severe diarrhoea.
Can a dog with a penicillin allergy take Clavamox?
No. Clavamox contains amoxicillin, a penicillin-type antibiotic, so a dog with a known allergy to penicillins should not receive it. There can also be cross-reactivity with cephalosporins. Always tell your veterinarian about any previous antibiotic reaction so a different class of antibiotic can be chosen.
Related PuppaDogs Calculators
Continue building your dog’s personalised care plan with these related PuppaDogs calculators:
- Dog Pregnancy / Whelping Due-Date Calculator
- Puppy Weight Predictor (Adult Weight Calculator)
- Heatstroke Risk Calculator for Dogs
- Bloat (GDV) Risk Calculator for Dogs
- Dog Life Expectancy Calculator (Breed, Body Condition, Lifestyle)
- Spay/Neuter Timing Calculator for Dogs (Breed-Specific)
References & Further Reading
The dosing ranges and safety information on this page are drawn from the following veterinary references. Always defer to your own veterinarian and the manufacturer’s label for your specific product.
- Clavamox (amoxicillin trihydrate / clavulanate potassium) – FDA-approved veterinary label, Zoetis.
- Plumb DC. Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook. 10th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell, 2023 – amoxicillin/clavulanate monograph.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Penicillins and beta-lactam antibiotics in animals. merckvetmanual.com.
- International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID). Antimicrobial use guidelines for dogs and cats.
- PuppaDogs. Clavamox for Dogs: Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, and More. puppadogs.com.
