Clavamox (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate) for Dogs: Uses & Dosage
Important Safety Notice
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for care from your vet. Clavamox is a prescription antibiotic, and the right dose, schedule, and treatment length depend on your dog's weight, infection type, medical history, and other medications.
Do not start, stop, split, or reuse leftover antibiotics without veterinary guidance. Not every cough, wound, urinary problem, or skin flare is caused by bacteria, and using the wrong antibiotic can delay the right treatment.
See your vet immediately if your dog has facial swelling, trouble breathing, repeated vomiting, severe diarrhea, collapse, or rapidly worsening infection signs while taking this medication.
amoxicillin/clavulanic acid
- Brand Names
- Clavamox, Augmentin
- Drug Class
- Antibiotic (aminopenicillin + beta-lactamase inhibitor)
- Common Uses
- Skin and soft tissue infections, Periodontal (dental) infections, Wound and bite-related infections, Urinary tract infections used off-label in some dogs, Some respiratory infections when your vet suspects susceptible bacteria
- Prescription
- Yes — Requires vet prescription
- Cost Range
- $18–$90
- Used For
- dogs, cats
What Is Clavamox (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate) for Dogs?
Clavamox is a combination antibiotic made of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic that damages bacterial cell wall formation. Clavulanic acid helps protect amoxicillin from certain bacterial enzymes called beta-lactamases, which can otherwise make the antibiotic less effective.
That combination gives Clavamox broader coverage than amoxicillin alone for many common veterinary infections. In dogs, it is commonly used for susceptible skin, soft tissue, wound, and dental infections, and your vet may also prescribe it off-label for other bacterial problems when it fits the case.
Clavamox comes as chewable tablets and as an oral suspension that is mixed before use. Many dogs tolerate it best when it is given with food, which can help reduce stomach upset.
What Is It Used For?
In dogs, Clavamox is FDA-approved for skin and soft tissue infections and periodontal infections caused by susceptible bacteria. In everyday practice, your vet may also use amoxicillin-clavulanate off-label for selected urinary, respiratory, or wound infections when the likely bacteria are a good match.
This medication is often chosen when your vet wants broader coverage than plain amoxicillin, especially if beta-lactamase-producing bacteria are a concern. That can matter in bite wounds, infected skin lesions, and some oral infections.
Clavamox is not effective against viruses, yeast, or every resistant bacterial infection. If your dog has a deep infection, recurrent infection, or poor response after a few days, your vet may recommend cytology, urinalysis, imaging, or a bacterial culture and susceptibility test to guide the next step.
Dosing Information
A commonly referenced veterinary dose for dogs is 12.5-25 mg/kg by mouth every 8-12 hours, with many labeled products dosed at about 6.25 mg/lb every 12 hours. The exact dose and schedule depend on the product strength, your dog's weight, the infection site, and how serious the infection is.
Treatment length varies. Some uncomplicated skin, soft tissue, or dental infections may be treated for 5-7 days, while deeper or more stubborn infections can need much longer monitoring and therapy. Your vet may adjust the plan based on exam findings and response.
Give each dose exactly as prescribed and finish the full course unless your vet tells you to stop. If you are using the liquid suspension, shake it well, keep it refrigerated after mixing, and discard any unused portion after 10 days. If you miss a dose, give it when you remember unless it is close to the next scheduled dose; do not double up unless your vet specifically instructs you to.
Side Effects to Watch For
The most common side effects are vomiting, diarrhea, soft stool, and decreased appetite. These are usually mild, and giving the medication with food often helps. Some dogs also drool or seem reluctant to take the liquid because of taste.
More serious reactions are less common but matter. Dogs with a penicillin or cephalosporin sensitivity can have an allergic reaction. Warning signs include hives, facial swelling, rash, fever, sudden vomiting, trouble breathing, or collapse.
Contact your vet promptly if your dog has persistent GI upset, refuses food, seems painful, or is not improving. See your vet immediately for breathing changes, swelling, severe lethargy, repeated vomiting, or severe diarrhea.
Drug Interactions
Clavamox can interact with some other medications, so your vet should know about everything your dog takes, including supplements. Important examples include other antibiotics, especially bacteriostatic drugs such as tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, or macrolides, which may reduce how well penicillin-type antibiotics work in some situations.
Amoxicillin-clavulanate may also affect or be affected by medications such as probenecid and methotrexate. Dogs with a history of allergic reactions to penicillins or cephalosporins should generally avoid this medication unless your vet advises otherwise.
Tell your vet if your dog has kidney disease, a history of drug reactions, or is pregnant or intended for breeding. Those details can change the safest treatment option.
Cost Comparison
Spectrum of Care means you have options. Here are treatment tiers at different price points.
Conservative Care
- Office or tele-triage guidance followed by an in-person exam when appropriate
- Generic amoxicillin-clavulanate tablets or suspension
- Basic weight-based dosing and home monitoring instructions
Standard Care
- Veterinary exam
- Clavamox or generic amoxicillin-clavulanate
- Basic diagnostics such as skin cytology, ear cytology, urinalysis, or wound assessment when indicated
- Recheck if symptoms are not improving
Advanced Care
- Comprehensive exam and diagnostic workup
- Bacterial culture and susceptibility testing
- Imaging, sedation, dental assessment, or wound management when needed
- Targeted antibiotic plan that may or may not include Clavamox
- Follow-up testing or recheck exam
Cost estimates as of 2026-03. Actual costs vary by location, clinic, and individual case.
Questions to Ask Your Vet About Clavamox (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate) for Dogs
Bring these questions to your vet appointment to get the most out of your visit.
- You can ask your vet whether this infection is likely bacterial and whether Clavamox is a good match for the suspected bacteria.
- You can ask your vet what exact dose in milligrams and milliliters your dog should get, and whether to give it every 8 or 12 hours.
- You can ask your vet how many days treatment should last for your dog's specific infection and what improvement timeline is realistic.
- You can ask your vet whether the medication should be given with food and what to do if your dog vomits after a dose.
- You can ask your vet whether a culture, cytology, urinalysis, or dental evaluation would help confirm the diagnosis.
- You can ask your vet what side effects are expected versus what signs mean you should stop the medication and call right away.
- You can ask your vet whether your dog's other medications or supplements could interact with Clavamox.
- You can ask your vet whether a recheck is needed to confirm the infection has cleared, especially for recurrent skin or urinary problems.
With food is often easier
Many dogs tolerate amoxicillin-clavulanate better when it is given with a meal or small snack. That can reduce nausea, vomiting, and loose stool.
Measure liquids carefully
If your dog is taking the suspension, use the dosing syringe or measuring device from your clinic or pharmacy. Household spoons are not accurate enough for prescription antibiotics.
Store the liquid correctly
After reconstitution, the oral suspension should be refrigerated and discarded after 10 days. Tablets are typically stored at room temperature unless your label says otherwise.
Do not share or save leftovers
Leftover antibiotics should not be reused for a future illness or shared with another pet. The wrong antibiotic, dose, or duration can delay proper care and contribute to resistance.
Not every infection is bacterial
Allergies, yeast overgrowth, sterile inflammation, bladder stones, and viral disease can mimic bacterial infection signs. In those cases, an antibiotic may not help.
Resistance can change the plan
Some bacteria are resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate. If your dog has recurrent infections or poor improvement, your vet may recommend culture and susceptibility testing.
Allergy history matters
Dogs with prior reactions to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics need extra caution. Your vet may choose a different medication.
Deep or complicated disease needs more than pills
Abscesses, severe dental disease, foreign bodies, deep wounds, and chronic skin disease often need procedures or additional diagnostics along with medication.
- Clavamox is a prescription antibiotic that combines amoxicillin with clavulanic acid to treat certain bacterial infections in dogs.
- It is commonly used for skin, soft tissue, wound, and dental infections, and your vet may also use it off-label for some other infections.
- A commonly referenced dog dose is 12.5-25 mg/kg by mouth every 8-12 hours, but your vet should set the exact dose and duration.
- The most common side effects are vomiting, diarrhea, soft stool, and reduced appetite. Allergic reactions are uncommon but can be serious.
- Typical medication-only cost range in the U.S. is about $18-$90, while a full visit with diagnostics can raise the total cost range to roughly $95-$260 or more.
Signs to Monitor While Your Dog Is Taking Clavamox
- Mild soft stool or brief decrease in appetite
- Vomiting once after a dose
- Repeated vomiting or ongoing diarrhea
- No improvement in infection signs after 3-5 days
- Facial swelling, hives, rash, or trouble breathing
- Severe lethargy, collapse, or rapidly worsening infection
Watch both the infection itself and your dog's overall tolerance of the medication. Mild stomach upset can happen, but repeated vomiting, persistent diarrhea, or no improvement after several days deserves a call to your vet. See your vet immediately for swelling, breathing changes, collapse, or a rapidly worsening wound, skin lesion, or dental infection.
Feeding Guidelines
Yes. Clavamox is commonly given with food in dogs, and many dogs tolerate it better that way.
Breed and Size Considerations
There is no known breed that routinely needs a different Clavamox dose solely because of breed. What matters most is accurate body weight, the infection being treated, kidney and overall health, and whether your dog has a history of antibiotic reactions. For very small dogs, your vet may prefer a liquid or a carefully selected tablet size to improve dosing accuracy.
Breed-specific dosing: No standard breed-specific dose
Small-dog practicality: Liquid or lower-strength tablets may help
Large-dog practicality: Higher tablet counts may be needed
Higher-risk groups: Dogs with drug allergy history