Vet costs
The three most prescribed UK dog arthritis medications compared. What each does, who they're for, what they cost, and how to switch between them safely.
If your dog has been prescribed something for arthritis pain, there's a roughly 80% chance it's one of three medications: Galliprant, Librela, or Onsior. They do similar things — relieve joint pain — but they work very differently, cost very differently, and suit different dogs.
Most owners arrive at one of them because their vet recommended it. Few owners ever get a side-by-side comparison. This guide is that comparison, in plain English, with UK prices for each.
Three things to know up front:
| Galliprant | Librela | Onsior | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Targeted NSAID (EP4 receptor antagonist) | Monoclonal antibody | Coxib NSAID |
| Frequency | Daily tablet | Monthly injection | Daily tablet |
| Best for | Mild to moderate arthritis, dogs with GI sensitivity | Moderate to severe arthritis, owners who prefer monthly dosing | Acute and chronic pain, post-surgical, smaller dogs |
| Typical UK practice price | £35–£50/month | £55–£90/month | £25–£50/month |
| With written prescription | £25–£40/month | £45–£75/month | £18–£35/month |
| Side-effect profile | Better than older NSAIDs | Different from NSAIDs (no GI/kidney burden) | Standard NSAID profile |
| Compatible with | Joint supplements, gabapentin, physio | Same as Galliprant; combined NSAIDs not advised | Joint supplements, gabapentin, physio |
| Started by | Most UK GP vets | Many vets, often after Galliprant trial | Most UK GP vets |
(Prices vary by dog weight class, practice, and pharmacy. Verify with your specific provider.)
Galliprant is a relatively new NSAID with a more targeted action than older ones. Standard NSAIDs (meloxicam, carprofen) work by blocking a broad family of enzymes that produce prostaglandins — chemicals involved in inflammation, but also in protecting the stomach lining and supporting kidney function.
Galliprant only blocks one specific receptor (EP4) involved in pain signalling. The result: you get the pain relief without as much disruption to GI and kidney function.
Who it's good for:
Who it's less good for:
Form: flavoured tablet, given with food, daily.
Librela is in a different category entirely. It's a monoclonal antibody — a manufactured protein that targets nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein involved in pain signalling. The antibody binds NGF and stops it from triggering pain.
This is meaningful because:
Who it's good for:
Who it's less good for:
Form: monthly injection at the practice. The drug is supplied in pre-filled syringes; the vet administers.
A note on side effects: Librela has been broadly well-received but is now under closer scrutiny due to a small number of reports of neurological side effects (ataxia, seizure-like episodes) in some dogs. Zoetis has updated guidance and the drug remains licensed and widely used. If your dog has any neurological history, raise it with the vet before starting.
Onsior is a more conventional NSAID, in the coxib family — broadly comparable to celecoxib in human medicine. It targets COX-2 enzymes (involved in inflammation) more selectively than COX-1 (involved in stomach lining protection).
It's been around longer than Galliprant or Librela and has a strong evidence base. Many UK vets reach for it as a first-line for dogs needing reliable, fast-acting pain relief.
Who it's good for:
Who it's less good for:
Form: flavoured tablet, given with food, daily.
Most UK vets approach dog arthritis pain in roughly this sequence:
There's no single "best" choice. The right answer depends on:
Your vet should walk you through this. If they don't, ask explicitly: "What are my options here, and what are the trade-offs?"
Some combinations are safe and useful; others are dangerous.
Safe to combine:
NOT safe to combine:
If you're switching between Galliprant/Onsior and another NSAID, your vet will recommend a washout period (typically 5–7 days) to avoid overlap.
Approximate ranges, mid-2026, for the most common scenarios.
Per dog, per month, daily dosing:
| Dog weight | At UK practice | Online with prescription | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | £25–£35 | £18–£25 | ~£100 |
| 15 kg | £35–£45 | £25–£35 | ~£120 |
| 25 kg | £45–£55 | £32–£42 | ~£140 |
| 40 kg | £55–£75 | £40–£55 | ~£200 |
Plus the one-off ~£21 prescription fee, valid up to 6 months.
Monthly injection cost (assumes injection administered at the practice, drug supplied either by practice or by you):
| Dog weight | At practice (drug + injection) | Drug from online + injection at practice | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | £40–£55 | £25 + £15–£25 admin = £40–£50 | ~£60 |
| 15 kg | £55–£70 | £40 + £15–£25 admin = £55–£65 | ~£60 |
| 25 kg | £75–£90 | £55 + £15–£25 admin = £70–£80 | ~£100 |
| 40 kg | £85–£100 | £65 + £15–£25 admin = £80–£90 | ~£100 |
Notes: not all practices will inject your-supplied Librela — some have a policy against it. Worth asking at the start. The "drug from online" route is most cost-effective for medium-large dogs.
Per dog, per month, daily dosing:
| Dog weight | At UK practice | Online with prescription | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | £20–£28 | £15–£22 | ~£70 |
| 15 kg | £28–£40 | £22–£32 | ~£100 |
| 25 kg | £40–£55 | £30–£42 | ~£150 |
| 40 kg | £55–£75 | £42–£60 | ~£175 |
Onsior is the most cost-effective option for many medium-sized dogs.
If your vet suggests switching from one to another (because one isn't working well enough, or because of side effects):
Galliprant → Librela:
Galliprant → Onsior (or vice versa):
Librela → Galliprant or Onsior:
Adding Librela on top of Galliprant or Onsior in severe cases:
Your vet should manage the transition. Don't change yourself.
If your dog is on one of these and you're wondering whether you're on the right one:
If your dog hasn't been prescribed anything for arthritis pain but you suspect they might benefit:
Which is the strongest pain reliever? Librela is generally the most effective for moderate-to-severe arthritis pain. Galliprant is the gentlest. Onsior is in the middle, with strong evidence for both acute and chronic use.
My dog responded poorly to Galliprant. Will Librela work? Often yes — they work via completely different mechanisms, so non-response to one doesn't predict non-response to the other. About 70% of Galliprant non-responders do well on Librela.
Can I give my dog joint supplements alongside any of these? Yes — joint supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussel, omega-3) are safe with all three and often used alongside.
My vet only prescribed Onsior. Can I ask about Librela? Yes. Vets vary in which they reach for first. Ask: "Is Librela something my dog might benefit from? What would you weigh up?" Most will engage thoughtfully.
What about long-term safety?
Superkin tracks your dog's medications and the response over time. Note the date you started a new medication, log how the dog seems day-to-day, and the Sunday plan tells you whether the medication is helping (less stiffness, more activity, better mood) or not (no change, or new side effects). Combined with the Money Tab's price comparison, it helps you make the medication conversation with your vet a lot more concrete.
Related guides:
Last updated 24 May 2026. Prices are approximate and vary by practice, pharmacy, and time of year. This guide is general information and not a substitute for veterinary advice.
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