Yes, Clavamox is an antibiotic prescribed specifically for dogs and cats. It combines two active ingredients: amoxicillin, which kills bacteria, and clavulanate potassium, which prevents certain bacteria from resisting the antibiotic. Veterinarians prescribe it for a range of common infections, from skin wounds to urinary tract infections.
What Clavamox Contains and How It Works
Clavamox belongs to the penicillin family of antibiotics. The amoxicillin component works by blocking bacteria from building their cell walls. Without a functional cell wall, the bacteria break apart and die. This is effective against many common bacterial species, but some bacteria have evolved a defense: they produce enzymes that break down penicillin-type drugs before those drugs can do their job.
That’s where the second ingredient comes in. Clavulanate potassium has almost no bacteria-killing power on its own, but it binds to and deactivates those resistance enzymes. This keeps amoxicillin intact so it can work against bacteria that would otherwise shrug off treatment. The combination makes Clavamox effective against a broader range of infections than amoxicillin alone could handle.
Infections It Treats in Dogs and Cats
Clavamox is FDA-approved for several types of infections in pets. The specific uses differ slightly between dogs and cats.
In dogs, it treats skin and soft tissue infections including wounds, abscesses, cellulitis, and both superficial and deep skin infections caused by staph, strep, and E. coli bacteria. It’s also approved for periodontal (gum and tooth) infections caused by both oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent bacteria.
In cats, the approved uses include skin and soft tissue infections like wounds, abscesses, and skin inflammation, as well as urinary tract infections caused by E. coli. Cats are also commonly prescribed Clavamox for infections involving Pasteurella bacteria, which frequently show up in bite wounds and scratches.
How It’s Given
Clavamox comes in two forms: chewable tablets and a liquid suspension (drops). The standard dose for dogs is 6.25 mg per pound of body weight, given twice a day. Cats typically receive 62.5 mg twice a day. Your veterinarian will determine the exact dose and duration based on the type and severity of the infection.
You can give Clavamox with or without food, but giving it with a meal or a small treat often prevents stomach upset. If your pet vomits after taking it on an empty stomach, try pairing the next dose with food.
Common Side Effects
The most frequent side effects are gastrointestinal: vomiting, diarrhea, and reduced appetite. These are generally mild and often improve when the medication is given with food.
Allergic reactions are rare but serious. Signs include irregular breathing, facial swelling or puffiness, rash, and fever. If your pet shows any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away. Pets with a known allergy to penicillin-type antibiotics should not take Clavamox.
Storing the Liquid Form
If your pet is on the liquid suspension, refrigeration matters. Once the powder is mixed into liquid form, it needs to stay refrigerated (between roughly 36°F and 46°F) and should be used within about 10 days. At room temperature, the medication stays stable for only about five days before it starts losing effectiveness. Don’t use leftover liquid from a previous prescription, even if it looks and smells fine.
Clavamox Is Not the Same as Augmentin
You may notice that the human antibiotic Augmentin contains the same two ingredients. However, the formulations are not interchangeable. A “250 mg” Clavamox tablet contains 200 mg of amoxicillin and 50 mg of clavulanate, while a “250 mg” human generic contains 250 mg of amoxicillin and 125 mg of clavulanate. That’s a significant difference in the ratio of the two ingredients. Substituting a human formulation could mean your pet gets more than double the intended amount of clavulanate, which raises the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Always use the veterinary formulation your vet prescribed.
Finishing the Full Course
Like all antibiotics, Clavamox works best when you complete the entire prescribed course, even if your pet seems better after a few days. Stopping early allows surviving bacteria to rebound, potentially causing a harder-to-treat infection the second time around. If your pet is having trouble tolerating the medication, talk to your vet about adjustments rather than discontinuing on your own.