Arthritis
Natural Remedies

12 Effective Natural Arthritis Remedies for Dogs

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sandi (Rehoboth MA)
★★★★★

I personally use it several times day, it works for different problems. All the dogs (7) are on it, from a disabled dachsie to three young healthy dachsies. It helps with arthritis, ear problems, wounds, itching. Adjust ph levels, prevents uti's. Gives them a healthy skin and also cleans out the bodies, like it does for humans


MSM
Posted by Mucky (Roseville, Ca) on 10/23/2014
★★★★★

The vet said the x-rays confirmed arthritis in our 10 year old cat. She was limping and acting different; isolating herself. The vet prescribed her some pain medicine and while waiting for it I put a good pinch of MSM powder in her wet food one evening. The next morning, I found her toys strewn throughout the hallway. Something she had not done since the onset of the limp. The limp was only noticeable if you looked for it. We continued the pinch of MSM plus a pinch of Vitamin C powder. After a few days, she was zipping and jumping around like her old self. Absolutely no signs of discomfort from the arthritis. Never even picked up the pain meds. Truly amazing.


Turmeric
Posted by Gardengirl (Gallatin, Tn/USA) on 03/04/2013
★★★★★

Turmeric saved my baby's life ( 15lbs. Dashound ) she's about 12 years and was really a hard time with moving around. I give her about 3 T. tuna fish/in oil ( I feed the cat every morning with tuna fish mixed with dry cat food) in that I put about 1t. turmenic with about 2 dashes blk. pepper. She now moving around like a puppy and even runs to get her tuna fish meal. Hope this saves your baby too!!!


Neem, Graviola, Chapparal, Andrographis
Posted by Lizardhaven (Desert Hot Springs, California) on 01/12/2013
★★★★★

Neem, Graviola, Chapparal, Andrographis Herbal Tonic Reverses Arthritis, Joint Issues

i have had an elist for over a decade to help pets sent home to die when vets cancer treatments failed to work, or pets were too old and refused treatment. we wanted to find what increased the quality of life and extended the predicted life span.

One remedy we use is a strong tea made from 2 parts powdered neem, graviola, and chapparal, and one part andrographis.

We found that within a few days almost all pets felt better. Arthritis, other joint problems, and symptoms related to aging seemed to improve so consistently that many people now use the tonic as an arthritis remedy.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Caren (Highlands Ranch, Co) on 07/25/2020

There is such a person as an animal chiropractor. Her name is Debbie O'Reilly D.C./Vibrant Energy Healing Center. She adjusts humans, horses, dogs and other animals. I have gone to her in the past for my sweet Pom, Teddy. Hope this helps


Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Misty (Texas) on 07/04/2017

How much coconut oil have you been giving your dog?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Trea (Shirley, New York) on 01/22/2010
★★★★☆

I tried ACV for my dog today and it made it a little bit better. She hurt her leg when she went out to do her business this morning. She was limping when she came back in. She's a 3 year old Shepherd/Lab mix and occasionally limps when she's been laying down awhile. Two hours after the ACV and a little bit of sea salt in her water and she was at least able to touch her paw back on the floor again, before that she was hopping around.

In the afternoon I put some amalaki juice in with her food just two teaspoons full and about an hour after that she was able to put her full weight on her foot again. She's still limping slightly but that's a big improvement.

I had been given a few bottles of amalaki juice a few months ago by a friend and used it myself and was amazed at how much it had helped my shoulder. I had injured my shoulder at work years ago and assumed I developed arthritis in it because whenever I do yard work it acts up. It worked so quickly that I was amazed. I realized I could not afford the brand he gets but was able to find a much cheaper brand with almost all of the same ingredients and it worked too.

I figured I had nothing to lose so I tried it on the dog. I'm not sure if it was the salt in the water, the ACV or the amalaki juice but I'm happy she's doing better. I am still going to mix some ACV in with her food tonight though and some amalaki juice tomorrow morning with her food.


Yucca Extract
Posted by James Pettus (Johns Island, SC, USA) on 08/23/2009
★★★★★

dogs with arthritis: as a boarding kennel owner we have given older dogs yucca tablets with great results. small dogs 1or 2 tablets twice a day large dogs 2 to 4 twice a day for about 2 weeks or until results are seen. then you can maintain with 1 a day.


Chlorophyll, Olive Oil, Broccoli
Posted by Lois (NYC, NY) on 03/07/2009
★★★★★

i used clorophyl, a green juice and evoo, 1 teaspoon of each to start in water. then gradually twice a day. my dogs had arthritis and this helped so much. i also give them steamed broccoli a few small bunches a day. theyre doing great. i hope this helps someone.

EC: EVOO = Extra Virgin Olive Oil


Exercise, Turmeric, Glucosamine, MSM
Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, GA) on 10/03/2008
★★★★★

Just wanted to report that I am having great results on my 14+ year old german shephard mix who has arthritis (especially in the hips). I think that one of the most helpful and important things I'm doing is exercising him without fail every day. I take him on walks each day, usually about 3.5 miles total. Considering his age, he's in remarkably good shape and, except on steep hills, keeps up with our other 2 young dogs. We used to walk by a neighbor's golden retriever who was let outside in the front yard several times a day to do her thing. She hobbled around in obvious pain, barely able to walk. I never once saw the owners taking their sweet dog out for a walk. She was only about 10 years old when they put her to sleep. Just my opinion, but I think early deaths happen with some frequency to yard-only dogs. Exercise keeps those joints lubricated!

Supplements: I also recently started adding turmeric, msm and glucosamine to Max's food. Dosages: 1/4 teaspoon of powdered turmeric in his food in the morning, diluted with chicken broth. At night I crush a 1000 mg tablet of MSM and give him half of it (500 mg), plus a full capsule of glucosamine blend from Trader Joe's (glucosamine sulfate 750mg and glucosamine HCI 750 mg). My vet mentioned that she likes the combo of MSM and glucosamine for dogs with arthritis, which is why I started him on that a few weeks ago. The turmeric has helped heal up a benign cyst that had burst through the skin on his front paw. Very glad one of EC's readers reported a cure for dog cysts recently -- thanks! At any rate, Max seems to be doing better on the supplements -- walking faster, wrestling with the other dogs, less confusion at night when the lights go off. Yea, yea, yea.

Sea Salt Water Cure
Posted by Cindy (Wichita, USA) on 08/23/2008
★★★★★

Natural remedies for animals seem to fly in the face of those who claim they only work as placebos.

Shake some unprocessed sea salt into the pooch's water. Domestic animals are notoriously salt deficient. If you know of someone who has a pet with arthritis, you can see the benefits of the watercure immediately. Just shake some sea salt in their water dish. I don't know if it's the salt or if it is the fact that they seem to drink more water if it has a pinch of salt in it, but it works. The "placebo effect" claims so often used against natural remedies won't hold up against a dog that is cured of arthritis or a child cured of asthma.


Sea Salt Water Cure
Posted by Bob (Moscow, Pa.) on 04/24/2007
★★★★★

If you check our pet testimonials On our watercure2.org site and read the home page story of how this was discovered, you will see that curing pet arthritis is not even a challenge. Just add unprocessed sea salt to its food and water and within 24 hours a pet will stand up and walk with a limp even though previously it had been unable to stand. Best of all it is free. Bob Butts

Rhus Toxicodendron
Posted by Lone (Denmark) on 07/26/2006
★★★★★

My dog's arthritis pains have been significantly reduced with Rhus toxicodendron.


Alfalfa
Posted by Wanda (Spring, Texas) on 03/26/2025 41 posts
★★★★★

Re: Arthritis in Elderly Dogs

Give your dog alfalfa tablets or capsules. 3 for a big dog, 1 for small. It helps tremendously with arthritis in dogs! I've helped many a German shepherd to walk and run and jump again!


Eggshells
Posted by Ron (USA) on 12/12/2022 29 posts
★★★★★

A general cure-all for joint issues & bone weakness / aiding broken ligaments & bones to heal in all animals (incl. humans). Eggshells can be used to treat the following:

  • Joint repair after accidents.
  • Muscle soreness, aches, charlie-horses
  • Hip displaysia
  • Arthritis
  • Damaged discs and joints
  • Skin irritation & itching (yes calcium deficiency can cause this)
  • Patchy hair

Eggshells - Brown ones. Why? Eggshells contain chondroitin, glucosamine, collagen, & world's most highly bioavailable calcium. Did you know the body (humans too) lose about 1-2% COLLAGEN PER YEAR IF NOT MAINTAINED THROUGH DIET? There goes your skin & hair & joint cushions! Take eggshells instead. Only thing missing in eggshells is MSM, and eggs themselves contain natural sulfur agents, so literally you have everything you need for joints in a whole egg. Shells also contain over a dozen trace minerals like boron. Stop buying expensive joint supplements. Guess what? Most of them; they're made from leftover eggshells & egg products!

NOTE: Calcium / eggshells powder MUST be dosed with vitamin C, and magnesium, and optionally a few other things - see DOSE METHOD below.

Preperation

  • Save & Rinse used eggshells as you cook your breakfasts daily.
  • Use warm water, and air dry them on a dish towel.
  • Be sure not to discard the inner shell skins
  • I have never gotten sick this way. I and my pets take them daily.
  • Bake in over @ 250 for 20 minutes if paranoid about bacteria.
  • Grind them in an electric coffee/ spice grinder for 60 seconds.

Alternatively; you can soak the shells in apple cider vinegar for a few weeks until they're completely dissolved and dose the eggshell-vinegar decoction. I don't do this. Do your own research on that method.

Dose Amount

On average: 1 tsp of powdered eggshells contains 900mg calcium

  • Check how much calcium is already in your dog's food
  • Calculate your dog's daily recommended allowance of calcium
  • According to the NRC, healthy adult dogs generally require 50 mg of calcium per kilogram of body weight. In pounds; it's ~ 22.5 mg per 1 lb of body weight. For example, a 5 kg dog (about 11 lbs.) needs 250 mg of calcium per day, a 25 kg (about 55 lbs.) dog needs 1250 mg per day, and a 50 kg (about 110 lbs.) dog needs 2500 mg per day.
  • I generally disagree with that much calcium. Too much can cause calcium deposits, and displaysia of the hips.
  • As dogs age, they need less calcium or you cause arthritis, adjust down 25-50%
  • Considering all the above, you should get a rough idea of how much eggshells to add to your dog's food. Watch over the coming weeks, and adjust.
  • A good rule of thumb is you want to see the dog's front ankle & shin areas where paws bend to meet the legs be closer to stiff & straight, while standing up on all fours. You don't want there to be too much of a bend or bow here, between the ankle and the paw. If the dog is a healthy weight and you see a pronounced bend, they are calcium deficient. See youtube videos or search images for reference.

DOSE METHOD

  • Eggshells are great, but they need extra things to help the body absorb, or else the dog's joints will just get calcified and stiff, and you can actually CAUSE HIP DISPLAYSIA & ARTHRITIS this way, by having too much calcium and too little calcium absorbing nutrients in the diet.
  • Dump eggshells in feedings, preferably spread over the dog's meals evenly throughout the day.
  • Add Magnesium. A good rule of thumb is a 2:1 calcium-to-magnesium ratio. (Need 500mg magnesium crystal-powder for around 1000mg calcium. Note; 1/8 tsp or 500 mg powdered magnesium chloride generally contains about 50-60 mg of actual magnesium. If you gave 500mg of actual magnesium, that would be too much and cause profuse diarrhea)
  • Magnesium Oxide will be very similar dosing
  • Add Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate form ONLY)-A good rule of thumb is a 2:1 calcium-to-Vitamin C ratio - About 500 mg, or 1/4 tsp Vit C per 1000 mg Calcium
  • Vitamin C given regularly during the first 2 years of life are critical in preventing hip displaysia later on in life. But it's never too late.

EXTRAS - highly recommend the boron - these will help bone growth & marrow health & disc gel to recuperate

  • Hyalauronic Acid (dissolve 1/4 tsp + 1/4tsp sea salt in a 16 oz bottle of water & refrigerate; will take an hour to dissolve the gelatin) - take a big capful per day in the dog's food
  • Boron (dissolve 1 tsp in 16 oz bottle water or pint mason jar) - take 1 tsp of the water per day
  • Organic Sea Kelp Granules - They contain calcium, magnesium, iodine & many other micronutrients that help quite a bit with arthritis and hip displaysia. 1 tsp per day for big dogs.

I have a 70 lb (32kg) adult dog. So she needs approx 1500mg calcium daily.I give her approx 1000mg instead.

She gets 1/4 tsp eggshells 2x a day in her food, which is homemade so it has no calcium to begin with. So she gets about 450mg per day, but she gets 400 mg more calcium from 1/2 tsp Boswellia powder I give her, an Ayurvedic tree resin from the Frankincense tree.

So she gets approx. 60% her daily RDA of calcium and all the chondroitin, collagen, glucosamine her joints need.

Added in she gets 1/8 tsp or 250mg vitamin c powder per feed.

She also gets 4-5 drops magnesium oil I prepare myself.

  • It's just 50/50 water & magnesium chloride crystals. In 4-5 drops we have around 100mg magnesium powder, and around 10-12 mg of magnesium. I'm aware I should give more according to the above, but I had to adjust down because this particular magnesium is HIGHLY potent and will cause very loose stool if I go above this amount. Besides; the vitamin C helps absorb the leftover calcium that the lack of magnesium couldn't.

Do not skip vitamin C. If you skip vitamin C, the calcium will hinder Iron absorbtion and your pet will become anemic especially if no red meat is in the diet.

Do not give citric acid / citrate form of vitamin C. You will likely cause great GI discomfort to the dog, which will result in vomiting, pancreatitis and diarrhea.

Recommend also; to buy braces for any injuries your dog incurs. They make IVDD / disc pain full body braces, they make knee braces, hip braces, and hock(dog's ankle) braces. Could save a simple sprain or minor break from becoming a surgery.


Knee Brace
Posted by Lily (Colorado, Usa) on 06/02/2016
★★★★★

For arthritis, this is a remedy that isn't something you can "administer" your dog but in my case it has done an incredible job of keeping my pup relatively pain free and active despite her arthritic knees. I use a dog knee brace, by Ortocanis, one for each of her knees that's affected. This brace in particular is flexible enough so that I can keep it on her for extended periods of time, and allows for full range of motion. She never wears it to sleep and I take it off when we're lounging around at home. But on the days where I can tell she's in more pain, or her limp is back, the brace almost always reduces inflammation and creates a noticeable improvement in her mobility.


Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Roxie (Emporia, Kansas) on 12/31/2014
★★★★★

I have a 10 year old pug and since the weather got cold he could barely get himself up from a laying position, I mix black strap mollases, coconut oil, peanut butter and he licks it off my finger. He can now get up by himself and does not walk stiff legged anymore. I also give him 1 low dose asprin a day for the pain and have added esther c to it also, I am amazed at how well he is doing now.



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