Best Anti-Inflammatories for Dogs: Vet-Approved Prescription, OTC & Natural Options

Just like humans, dogs can experience inflammation from injuries, chronic conditions like arthritis, or even everyday wear and tear as they age. While inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or irritation, too much of it—especially when it becomes chronic—can lead to pain, swelling, and decreased mobility in your pup.

That’s where anti-inflammatories come in. But with so many options—prescription medications, over-the-counter supplements, and natural remedies—it can be hard to know what’s truly safe and effective for your dog.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

• What inflammation really means for your dog’s health
• The best prescription and OTC anti-inflammatory options
• Natural alternatives that may help reduce discomfort
• When to talk to your vet about starting a treatment plan

Whether your dog has been slowing down on walks or is recovering from an injury, the right anti-inflammatory approach can help improve their quality of life—safely and sustainably.

What Is Inflammation in Dogs?

Inflammation is your dog’s natural defense mechanism—part of their immune system’s effort to heal injuries, fight off infections, or respond to harmful triggers. When everything is working properly, inflammation is a short-term, helpful response. But when it becomes chronic, it can start doing more harm than good.

In dogs, inflammation typically shows up as swelling, stiffness, joint pain, skin irritation, digestive upset, or general fatigue. While acute inflammation might come from a twisted paw or bug bite, chronic inflammation is often linked to conditions like arthritis, autoimmune diseases, food sensitivities, or even obesity.

What Inflammation Does To Your Dog’s Body

When something damages your dog’s cells—whether it’s trauma, allergens, or an internal imbalance—their body releases chemicals that increase blood flow to the affected area. This helps deliver healing cells, but also leads to classic symptoms like redness, heat, pain, and swelling.

If the immune system doesn’t shut off this response when it’s supposed to, inflammation can linger, making your dog feel sore, sluggish, or uncomfortable day after day.

How Inflammation Negatively Impacts Your Dog’s Health

Chronic inflammation isn’t just about stiffness or limping—it can impact your dog’s quality of life across the board. It may lead to decreased mobility, muscle loss, immune system fatigue, or even long-term organ strain if left untreated.

That’s why it’s important to understand the signs early and work with your vet to create a plan—including nutrition, exercise, and possibly anti-inflammatory support—that helps your dog stay happy and active as they age.

How can I reduce inflammation in my dog?

Keep your dog at a healthy weight

Obesity can be linked to many other medical conditions that are caused by chronic inflammation including diabetes and heart disease. This is one of many reasons it is important to keep your pup at a healthy weight. If your pup needs to lose a few pounds, work with your vet on a plan to help them lose weight gradually and in a sustainable way. Crash dieting or a cycle of losing weight quickly and gaining it back is just as bad for your pup as it is for you.

In addition to having your pup eat healthier, talk to your vet about an exercise plan. As long as you’ve got the vet’s approval start slowly. Consider adding time to your walks gradually and finding new and fun ways to play inside if the weather isn’t great for spending time outdoors. You may even find that you’re becoming healthier alongside your best friend!

Provide your dog with a well balanced diet

In addition to keeping your pup at a healthy weight, adequate nutrition can help reduce inflammation. At Ollie, this is one of our favorite ways to reduce inflammation. Our food is designed to be easily digested so your pup can get the most out of our human-grade ingredients.

Our recipes are high in Omega-3 fatty acids which are great for reducing inflammation. In addition, our recipes are packed with superfood ingredients like spinach, blueberries and chia seeds. We use a quiz to customize a meal plan for your pup. The quiz asks about your pup’s age, breed, activity level and weight so that we can create the best plan for your pup’s health.

Best Anti-Inflammatory for Dogs

Whether your dog is recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition like arthritis, inflammation can slow them down and affect their quality of life. The good news is there are safe and effective anti-inflammatory options available—including vet-prescribed medications, natural supplements, and a few over-the-counter remedies. Below, we break down the top categories and how to use them responsibly.

Veterinarians most commonly prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat pain and inflammation in dogs. These medications help block enzymes that trigger inflammation and are often used for conditions like arthritis, post-surgical recovery, or orthopedic injuries.

Common prescription NSAIDs include:

• Carprofen (brand names: Rimadyl, Novox)
• Meloxicam (Metacam)
• Deracoxib (Deramaxx)
• Firocoxib (Previcox)
  

While these medications can be highly effective, they must be used with caution. The FDA recommends the acronym BEST for monitoring your dog while on NSAIDs:

• B – Behavior changes
  
• E – Eating less
  
• S – Skin redness or scabbing
  
• T – Tarry stool, diarrhea, or vomiting
  

Expert Recommendation: If your dog shows any of these signs, stop the medication and contact your vet immediately.

In some short-term cases, vets may approve aspirin, but it’s generally not recommended for long-term use due to the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. And importantly—never give your dog ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol), as these can be toxic even in small doses.

Over-the-Counter Anti-Inflammatory Options

While most OTC human medications are unsafe for dogs, there are a few over-the-counter options made specifically for pets or used under strict veterinary supervision.

Options may include:

• Buffered aspirin (vet-approved brands only, and short-term use only)
  
• Joint supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, or MSM
  
• Omega-3 fish oil (high in EPA and DHA to help reduce joint inflammation)
  

Always consult your vet before starting an OTC treatment—what works for one dog might not be safe for another, especially if they have preexisting conditions or are on other medications.

Natural Anti-Inflammatories for Dogs

If your pup is already eating well and maintaining a healthy weight but still shows signs of inflammation, natural supplements can offer additional support—just make sure to discuss any supplement with your vet before adding it to your dog’s routine.

Top natural anti-inflammatories include:

• Fish oil (EPA & DHA): According to Whole Dog Journal, fish oil is the most important natural anti-inflammatory supplement for dogs. Use body oils like salmon oil, not liver oil, which can contain too much vitamin A or D at high doses.
  
• Turmeric (Curcumin): This golden spice contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds and is widely available in pet-safe supplements. While it’s found in many kitchens, concentrated curcumin is typically more effective when properly dosed for dogs.
  
• Green-lipped mussel: A rich source of omega-3s and joint-supporting nutrients that’s often included in advanced mobility supplements.
  

Natural doesn’t always mean risk-free—some herbs and oils can interact with medications. Always follow vet-approved dosing instructions for your dog’s weight and health needs.

The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.