Pain Medications for Dogs

Written by Gina Shaw, Sarah Amandolare
Medically Reviewed by Vanesa Farmer, DVM on January 28, 2025
8 min read

Just like people, dogs can feel pain. It could be that your dog is aging and having joint pain. Maybe your dog had surgery recently and is still recovering. Your dog might have a wound somewhere on their body that's causing them pain. In these situations, just as people would take pain medicines, dogs can benefit from taking them too. But dogs can't take all of the same medicines that people can. There are also side effects to be aware of. 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce swelling, stiffness, and joint pain in humans, and they can do the same for your dog. They can bring relief to a dog with arthritis or one who's just had surgery.

But don't give your pooch something from your medicine cabinet, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

There are some NSAIDs just for dogs. The drugs listed below are the only ones approved by the FDA for dogs:

  • Carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl)
  • Deracoxib (Deramaxx)
  • Firocoxib (Previcox)
  • Grapiprant (Galliprant) 
  • Meloxicam (Metacam)
  • Robenacoxib (Onsior; for no more than three days)

Potential side effects of NSAIDs in dogs

NSAIDs are usually safe for dogs and have few side effects. But in some cases, they can cause or worsen kidney, liver, or digestive problems. Due to these potential side effects, sometimes bloodwork is required before starting or during treatment with NSAIDs.

You may be able to tell if your dog is having a bad reaction to an NSAID. An easy way to remember the signs is with the word BEST:

  • Behavior changes
  • Eating less
  • Skin redness, scabs
  • Tarry stool/diarrhea/vomiting

If you spot these symptoms, stop giving your dog the drug and call your vet.

There are some situations when dogs need stronger pain medicines called opioids, also known as narcotics. Your veterinarian might prescribe an opioid if your dog has severe pain from surgery, arthritis, or an advanced stage of cancer. 

Only a few opioids are FDA-approved for use in animals, including dogs. Vets will often prescribe narcotics approved for use in people. 

The below narcotic medications are FDA-approved for use in animals:

  • Buprenorphine 
  • Butorphanol 
  • Droperidol fentanyl citrate

Your vet may prescribe one of the following human medications off-label for your dog: 

  • Alfentanil 
  • Fentanyl
  • Hydromorphone
  • Meperidine
  • Methadone
  • Morphine
  • Oxymorphone 
  • Remifentanil
  • Sufentanil
  • Thiafentanil oxalate (Not yet FDA-approved, but approved to be sold commercially)
  • Tramadol

Potential side effects of narcotic pain medications in dogs

Millions of dogs are prescribed opioids every year. But keep in mind that opioids are the strongest pain medications available and can cause side effects. Dogs may have different side effects depending on their pain level, overall health, and other medications they take. 

Opioids can cause slow or shallow breathing and decreased heart rate in dogs, as they do in humans. Your vet can help you understand whether these side effects are normal or more serious.

Here are some other potential side effects of narcotic pain medications in dogs to be aware of:

  • Panting
  • Whining or barking
  • Salivation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Defecation
  • Sedation
  • Hyperactivity 
  • Not peeing
  • Constipation

Steroids, also known as corticosteroids or cortisone, are commonly prescribed to dogs for pain and inflammation. 

Steroids may be used to reduce inflammation in dogs, which can be caused by many different things, such as an allergy, a minor illness, or a life-threatening disease. Some steroids are used to treat dogs with cancer because they can stop tumor growth. 

The adrenal glands produce some steroid hormones naturally. If your dog has Addison's disease, your vet might prescribe a corticosteroid as a hormone replacement drug.

According to the FDA, corticosteroids should not be combined with NSAIDs because it could cause bad gastrointestinal side effects, such as gastric ulcers.

Here are common steroid pain medications for dogs: 

  • Dexamethasone
  • Methylprednisolone
  • Prednisone/Prednisolone
  • Triamcinolone

Potential side effects of steroid pain medications in dogs

Steroids are safe for most dogs and can improve their quality of life. Just be sure to follow your vet's instructions. 

Your dog may have side effects, depending on the steroid they're given and the dosage. Watch out for the below potential side effects of steroids in dogs:

  • Increased thirst
  • Increased hunger
  • Peeing more  
  • Panting
  • Loss of energy
  • New or worsening infections (especially skin infections)
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea 
  • Diabetes (in some dogs with prediabetes)

Long-term use of steroids can cause different side effects. These side effects are most common in dogs that need long-term steroid treatment: 

  • Urinary tract infections 
  • Thinning of skin or coat
  • Slow-healing wounds
  • Obesity (because of increased hunger)
  • Muscle weakness
  • Spots or hard plaques on the skin
  • Increased risk of bacterial or fungal infections 
  • Skin mites, due to immunosuppression
  • Higher risk of diabetes
  • Cushing's disease

Nerve pain medications aren't prescribed very often for dogs. But they could help, especially if other medicines don't work for conditions such as arthritis. These medicines interrupt how joints or tissues signal pain to the nerves, spinal cord, and brain. They can target receptors and molecules that lead to pain in different areas of the body. Here are some nerve pain medications that may be prescribed to your dog:

  • Gabapentin. It treats pain from damaged nerves in humans and dogs. It may make your dog sleepy for the first few days, but that usually goes away. Sometimes, your vet may prescribe it along with other drugs.
  • Amantadine. It treats nerve pain by blocking a receptor in the spinal cord. Your vet may prescribe amantadine along with other drugs for chronic pain. 
  • Pregabalin. This medicine is similar to gabapentin, but it may not need to be taken as often. 

Potential side effects of nerve pain medications in dogs

Unlike with NSAIDs, there's no research showing that gabapentin or pregabalin are safe or effective for dogs. A clinical trial showed that dogs with arthritis who were given both amantadine and an NSAID became more active. 

Nerve pain medications in dogs can cause the following side effects: 

  • Anxiety
  • Wobbliness (especially in older dogs)
  • Agitation
  • Gas
  • Diarrhea

Before giving your dog natural pain relief supplements, it's important to know what's causing their pain. For example, some natural supplements can help prevent arthritis and may slow its growth. But if your dog has hip dysplasia, then supplements may not help very much. Below are some natural supplements that could help relieve your dog's pain. 

Glucosamine and chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitin are very popular alternative treatments. It's not clear if they help, but some research has found that they may make swelling (inflammation) go down and help cartilage repair itself. They also may help protect and lubricate existing cartilage.

Fish oil supplements (omega-3 fatty acids) 

Fish oil supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil has been proven to help slow down joint degeneration in dogs. It can also be used with NSAIDs, so you may be able to give your dog less NSAIDs if you add fish oil supplements to their diet.

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiable (ASUs) may help ease inflammation in dogs. One study found that ASUs helped dogs recover from knee injuries. 

Green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) 

These supplements come from New Zealand mussels. Like omega-3 fatty acids and chondroitin, Perna canaliculus can boost cartilage and reduce inflammation. Several studies show that it benefits dogs with arthritis. 

Undenatured type II collagen (UC II)

This supplement comes from chicken sternums and can prevent cartilage damage in dogs. It can be given alone with meals or combined with chondroitin and glucosamine. Research has shown that UC II lowers inflammation and pain in dogs.

Turmeric 

Supplements and snacks containing turmeric and curcumin are available for dogs. Curcumin is the chemical that makes turmeric yellow and may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Studies show that 30 milligrams of curcumin per day can have a mild anti-inflammatory effect in dogs. Other research hints that a supplement with both curcumin and palmitoyl glucosamine improves nerve pain and relieves swelling in dogs. 

Some herbal remedies can create worse side effects. Always consult your vet before giving your dog any of these natural supplements.

Many dogs are living longer and leading healthier lives. There's been great progress in veterinary medicine and drug development for animals. If you're thinking about giving your dog pain medicine or a natural supplement, talk to your vet first. Your dog's breed, health conditions, and other characteristics can affect how they respond to medication. Your vet can help ensure that your dog receives the safest and most effective option for pain relief.

Ask for a written copy of the treatment plan, as well as instructions (and a demo) on how to give the medicines to your pet. Be sure to give the drug only as your vet recommends. Too much or too little can cause problems. Don't share medications between dogs. What's good for one animal may not be right for another. 

Let your vet know if your dog is taking other medications or supplements. Sometimes, medicines interact with each other negatively and increase the chances of side effects.

You may not be able to relieve all of your dog's pain, but you should be able to make them feel better. With your vet's guidance, you may need to try different things to find out what brings the most relief.

Dogs can benefit from taking pain medicines such as NSAIDs, narcotics, steroids, nerve pain medicines, and natural supplements. Sometimes, vets prescribe human medications, such as opioids, to dogs. Always talk to your vet before giving your dog medicine, and don't give them anything from your medicine cabinet.