Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Paola Cuevas
Veterinarian, MVZ
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Paola Cuevas
Veterinarian, MVZ
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Arthritis is a common disease in older dogs and can become worst over time. Without proper management, many dogs live with long-term pain and discomfort due to their arthritis. If you suspect your dog may have arthritis, a vet visit is needed to verify the diagnosis and start treatment for your dog.
This article aims to help you find a starting point discussing this with your vet, however never attempt to medicate your dog without a veterinarian’s prescription. We’ve found some of the best arthritis medications, keep in mind that like any other medication, there are secondary effects and risks that must be considered and evaluated by a trained professional. These meds are some of the best meds for dog joint pain and can help give your dog new life as part of a proper management regimen. While most of the arthritis medications on the market are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, there are some meds on this list that may surprise you.
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Image Product Details
Deracoxib
Four dosages available
Scored, chewable tablets
Most dogs enjoy the flavor
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Carprofen
Best value
Three dosages available
Chewable tablets
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Galliprant
Three dosages available
Once per day dosing
Easy to cut or break
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Amantadine
Multifunctional medication
Highly effective for some dogs
Budget-friendly option
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Meloxicam
Easy to dose liquid with a special syringe
Well-tolerated flavor and easy to hide in food
Good option for small dogs
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The 8 Best Arthritis Medications for Dogs
The best overall arthritis medication for dogs is Deracoxib, which is a generic NSAID medication. It’s available in four dosages, and the tablets are scored, making for easy cutting or breaking. The tablets are a flavored chewable that many dogs are willing to eat without additional coaxing, although it is recommended to give this medication with food instead of on an empty stomach. This medication helps by inhibiting an enzyme that is responsible for the production of inflammatory mediators. This medication should not be used in conjunction with other NSAIDs or steroids as it can lead to severe side effects. It is one of the more affordable arthritis medications for dogs.
Form: Chewable tablet
Dosage: 12 mg, 25mg, 75mg, 100mg
Type of medication: NSAID
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Pros
Four dosages available
Scored, chewable tablets
Most dogs enjoy the flavor
Inhibits inflammation
Affordable for most budgets
Cons
Can cause severe side effects if used with steroids or other NSAID
Carprofen is a generic NSAID medication that is the best arthritis medication for dogs for the money, retailing for a budget-friendly price. This medication is available in three dosages and is in a chewable tablet form that many dogs will accept. It should be offered with food, though. It works by limiting the body’s production of prostaglandins, which are physiologically active lipid compounds that can have hormone-like effects. Prostaglandins have a strong local vasodilator effect and play a key role in the inflammatory response leading to swelling and pain. This medication may not be suitable for dogs with liver, kidney, or stomach problems, so it’s important to only give it as prescribed.
Four dosages available
Scored, chewable tablets
Most dogs enjoy the flavor
Inhibits inflammation
Affordable for most budgets
- Four dosages available
- Scored, chewable tablets
- Most dogs enjoy the flavor
- Inhibits inflammation
- Affordable for most budgets
Can cause severe side effects if used with steroids or other NSAID
- Can cause severe side effects if used with steroids or other NSAID
Form: Chewable tablet
Dosage: 25mg, 75mg, 100mg
Type of medication: NSAID
Pros
Best value
Three dosages available
Chewable tablets
Inhibits prostaglandin production
Cons
May not be suitable in liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal tract problems
Galliprant is a name-brand medication that is the premium pick for arthritis medications for dogs, so it does retail for a premium price. Currently, this medication is not available in a generic form. It’s available in three dosage sizes, but the tablets are not flavored, so they need to be hidden in something to give to most dogs. It’s only given once per day, and the tablets are easy to cut as needed to adjust the dosage. This NSAID works by copying the size and shape of prostaglandins and occupying the cellular receptors before the prostaglandins. It’s a first-of-its-kind medication that focuses specifically on the pain receptor associated with osteoarthritis, making it ideal for arthritic dogs.
Best value
Three dosages available
Chewable tablets
Inhibits prostaglandin production
- Best value
- Three dosages available
- Chewable tablets
- Inhibits prostaglandin production
May not be suitable in liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal tract problems
- May not be suitable in liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal tract problems
Form: Tablet
Dosage: 20mg, 60mg, 100mg
Type of medication: NSAID
Pros
Three dosages available
Once per day dosing
Easy to cut or break
Focused on pain receptors
Targets the pain receptor associated with osteoarthritis
Cons
Premium price
No generic available
- Amantadine
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Form: Capsule
Dosage: 100mg
Type of medication: Antiviral, dopamine promoter
Amantadine seems like an unusual medication on its surface since it’s an antiviral, but it’s also a dopamine promoter that has shown efficacy for arthritis pain. This medication usually works best in conjunction with other arthritis medications, but it is effective on its own for some dogs. Most people who use this for their dog’s arthritis find it highly effective. This is a budget-friendly option for caring for your dog’s arthritis pain. It is available only in capsule form in one dosage, so it may need to be compounded for small dogs for appropriate dosing.
Three dosages available
Once per day dosing
Easy to cut or break
Focused on pain receptors
Targets the pain receptor associated with osteoarthritis
- Three dosages available
- Once per day dosing
- Easy to cut or break
- Focused on pain receptors
- Targets the pain receptor associated with osteoarthritis
Premium price
No generic available
- Premium price
- No generic available
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Form: Capsule
Dosage: 100mg
Type of medication: Antiviral, dopamine promoter
Pros
Multifunctional medication
Can be used on its own or in conjunction with other modalities
Highly effective for some dogs
Budget-friendly option
Cons
Only available in one dosage
Comes in capsules
- Meloxicam
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Form: Liquid
Dosage: 1.5mg/ml
Type of medication: NSAID
Meloxicam is an oral liquid NSAID that is easy to dose, thanks to its special dosing syringe that has your dog’s weight right on the syringe. It’s malt-flavored and well-tolerated by most dogs. It can also be mixed into food or hidden in other ways to make it easier to give to your dog if they don’t like the taste. It works by reducing inflammation and controlling pain and discomfort, especially pain and discomfort associated with arthritis. This medication can become cost-prohibitive in the long run for large dogs, but it’s a great option for small dogs and for short-term use.
Multifunctional medication
Can be used on its own or in conjunction with other modalities
Highly effective for some dogs
Budget-friendly option
- Multifunctional medication
- Can be used on its own or in conjunction with other modalities
- Highly effective for some dogs
- Budget-friendly option
Only available in one dosage
Comes in capsules
- Only available in one dosage
- Comes in capsules
Form: Liquid
Dosage: 1.5mg/ml
Type of medication: NSAID
Pros
Easy to dose liquid with a special syringe
Well-tolerated flavor and easy to hide in food
Reduce inflammation and controls pain and discomfort
Good option for small dogs
Cons
Can become cost-prohibitive for large dogs
- Previcox
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Form: Chewable tablet
Dosage: 57mg, 227mg
Type of medication: NSAID
Previcox is another NSAID that works well for many dogs. It is available in two dosages and comes in a chewable tablet form that is scored for easy dosing. It’s a great option for orthopedic and soft tissue pain and discomfort, making it a good choice to manage arthritis in dogs. It cannot be used in conjunction with other NSAID medications or steroids. According to the manufacturer, this medication cannot be safely dosed in dogs under 12.5 pounds, so it’s only appropriate for dogs over this weight. It is cost-prohibitive for many people, although it is highly effective against arthritis discomfort.
Easy to dose liquid with a special syringe
Well-tolerated flavor and easy to hide in food
Reduce inflammation and controls pain and discomfort
Good option for small dogs
- Easy to dose liquid with a special syringe
- Well-tolerated flavor and easy to hide in food
- Reduce inflammation and controls pain and discomfort
- Good option for small dogs
Can become cost-prohibitive for large dogs
- Can become cost-prohibitive for large dogs
Form: Chewable tablet
Dosage: 57mg, 227mg
Type of medication: NSAID
Pros
Two dosages available
Chewable, scored tablet
Works well for orthopedic and soft tissue pain
Highly effective
Cons
Not safe for use in dogs under 12.5 pounds
Premium price
- Adequan Canine
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Form: Injection
Dosage: 100mg/ml
Type of medication: DMOAD
Adequan is a great option for helping manage your dog’s arthritis, but it is an injection that may need to be administered by your veterinarian. This medication is a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug that helps reduce inflammation, lubricate the joints, and help encourage healthy cartilage growth. It is a cost-prohibitive medication for many people due to its premium price. It’s generally not recommended to give this medication in conjunction with an NSAID, so it’s important to discuss with your veterinarian the risks and benefits of combining the two types of medications together before doing it.
Two dosages available
Chewable, scored tablet
Works well for orthopedic and soft tissue pain
Highly effective
- Two dosages available
- Chewable, scored tablet
- Works well for orthopedic and soft tissue pain
- Highly effective
Not safe for use in dogs under 12.5 pounds
Premium price
- Not safe for use in dogs under 12.5 pounds
- Premium price
Form: Injection
Dosage: 100mg/ml
Type of medication: DMOAD
Pros
Highly effective
Reduces inflammation
Lubricates the joints
Encourages healthy cartilage growth
Cons
May need to be administered by your veterinarian
Premium price
May not be safe to administer with NSAID treatment
- Triamcinolone Acetonide
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Form: Injection
Dosage: 40mg/ml
Type of medication: Steroid
Triamcinolone Acetonide is a steroid that helps reduce inflammation and decrease pain and discomfort in dogs with arthritis. It’s an injectable, so your veterinarian may need to be the one to administer it. It’s generally considered to be an adjunctive therapy that is used short-term during an exacerbation of arthritic symptoms. It’s not a good option for long-term treatment, and it retails for a premium price. It cannot be used in conjunction with an NSAID as this can lead to severe side effects. This medication is effective for treating symptoms associated with multiple types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gouty arthritis.
Highly effective
Reduces inflammation
Lubricates the joints
Encourages healthy cartilage growth
- Highly effective
- Reduces inflammation
- Lubricates the joints
- Encourages healthy cartilage growth
May need to be administered by your veterinarian
Premium price
May not be safe to administer with NSAID treatment
- May need to be administered by your veterinarian
- Premium price
- May not be safe to administer with NSAID treatment
Form: Injection
Dosage: 40mg/ml
Type of medication: Steroid
Pros
Reduces inflammation and pain
Easy to dose
Effective short-term adjunctive therapy
Effective against symptoms of multiple types of arthritis
Cons
May need to be administered by your veterinarian
Cannot be used for long-term treatment
Premium price
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Arthritis Medications for Dogs
How Do I Know if a Medication is Going to Work for My Dog?
The short answer to this question is that you won’t know what’s going to work best for your dog without finding a starting point with your vet and working out from there. There are multiple levels of arthritis severity, as well as multiple types of arthritis, and some medications will work better for certain severities or types of arthritis. It’s also important to understand that not all medications are safe for all dogs, depending on their medical status and other medications they may be taking.
Reduces inflammation and pain
Easy to dose
Effective short-term adjunctive therapy
Effective against symptoms of multiple types of arthritis
- Reduces inflammation and pain
- Easy to dose
- Effective short-term adjunctive therapy
- Effective against symptoms of multiple types of arthritis
May need to be administered by your veterinarian
Cannot be used for long-term treatment
Premium price
- May need to be administered by your veterinarian
- Cannot be used for long-term treatment
- Premium price
You may start your dog on a medication that immediately begins working and works well to meet your dog’s needs. However, it’s more common to have to attempt a few different medications to find what works best and give each medication a little time to work for your dog.
Conclusion
These reviews should only serve as a starting point to help you know what medications to discuss with your vet when discussing your dog’s arthritis treatment. Not all medications are safe or effective for all dogs, so be patient during the transition period to find what works. Our best overall pick is Deracoxib, which is a generic NSAID medication. For tighter budgets, Carprofen is an excellent option, and if you have a higher budget, then you may find Galliprant works best for your dog.
- Related Read: 13 Best Senior Dog Foods for Arthritis
Featured Image Credit: Leo_65, Pixabay
