Devil's Claw for Dogs: Is It Safe, and What Does the Evidence Show?

Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) has never been tested on its own in dogs. The dog studies that include it all tested mixtures of five or more plants, so they cannot show what devil's claw does by itself. No dose has been established for dogs, and the plant has real cautions for the stomach and for dogs on NSAIDs, so talk to your veterinarian before giving it.

Below, we go through the few studies that exist, what they do and don't show, the risks to check with your vet, and the options with more dog data behind them.

Pure Majesty Pets sells joint supplements. Our Hip & Joint Chews do not contain devil's claw, and we explain why we still think a multi-ingredient chew is the more sensible daily routine. For the wider picture, see our guide to natural anti-inflammatories for dogs.

What devil's claw is, and why it's given to dogs

Devil's claw is a southern African plant whose secondary roots are dried and sold as powder, capsules, tinctures and extracts. Its best-known compound is harpagoside, an iridoid glycoside. People use it mainly for joint aches. In Europe, the European Medicines Agency's herbal committee recognizes it only as a traditional herbal medicine for "relief of minor articular pain" in adults. That status rests on long use, not clinical proof (EMA monograph).

What the research in dogs actually shows

No trial of devil's claw alone

On October 30, 2026, a PubMed search for Harpagophytum in dogs returned two records. One is a 1990 study of heart rhythm in anesthetized dogs, which says nothing about joints. The other is a mixture trial. We found no clinical trial in which dogs received devil's claw alone.

Three trials of mixtures

• Montreal, 2014: a veterinary team at the Université de Montréal randomized 32 dogs with osteoarthritis to a multi-herb product (devil's claw, boswellia, turmeric, willow, black currant, feverfew, pineapple) or a negative control. After 8 weeks, weight bearing measured on a force plate improved more in treated dogs. The effect was moderate and uncertain (its confidence interval started at zero), and owner disability scores did not change significantly (Moreau et al., 2014).
• A second blend (2019): another combination product containing devil's claw was given to 10 dogs for 3 months. It showed a pain-relieving effect with a very good safety profile, according to the 2022 review described just below.
• Camerino, 2026: for 90 days, 20 dogs got either a fish-oil and avocado-soy product with turmeric, devil's claw, boswellia and willow, or the NSAID mavacoxib. The authors report similar results for both, but there was no placebo group. Each 1,200 mg tablet contained only 22.5 mg of devil's claw extract, next to 100 mg of turmeric extract (Palumbo Piccionello et al., 2026).

A 2022 review of 72 trials in dogs and cats grouped these mixtures together. It called them "of interest", with a very good safety record. With only three trials, though, there were too few to compare them with other supplement categories (Barbeau-Grégoire et al., 2022).

Our reading: these trials support a combination, and say nothing about devil's claw alone.

What human data can and cannot tell you

The human evidence is modest too: the European Medicines Agency recognizes only traditional use. And dogs handle plant compounds differently, so human results are only a hint.

Is devil's claw an anti-inflammatory?

In the lab, devil's claw shows anti-inflammatory properties, as do boswellia, willow and many other plants, the 2022 review notes. So devil's claw has anti-inflammatory activity in experiments.

It is not a proven anti-inflammatory for dogs, and it should never replace a medicine your veterinarian prescribes. If your dog needs pain control, our guide to dog arthritis medicines explains the prescription options and the monitoring they need.

Devil's claw dosage for dogs: why we won't give you a number

Search for a dose and you will find tidy tables by body weight. We checked the top-ranking pages. None cited a study for its dog dose, and the amounts they suggested varied from page to page without justification. That is not a reliable basis.

What can be verified is thin. The only recent dog trial with a published recipe used 22.5 mg of extract (2.5% harpagoside) per tablet, inside a mixture. The number of tablets per dog followed "the manufacturer's leaflet" and is not reported in the paper.

The honest answer is this: there is no established dog dose. If your veterinarian agrees to a devil's claw product, follow that label and your vet's instructions, and do not scale down a human capsule yourself.

Is devil's claw safe for dogs? Risks to check first

No study has followed dogs on devil's claw for months. In people, a review of 28 trials found side effects in about 3% of patients, mostly stomach upset, and no more than with placebo in double-blind trials. The authors called for more long-term safety data (Vlachojannis et al., 2008).

Here is what that means for a dog:

• Stomach and ulcers. The EU monograph lists an active stomach or duodenal ulcer as a contraindication. Dogs with vomiting, black stools, a history of ulcers, or kidney or liver disease need a veterinary opinion first.
• NSAIDs and steroids (carprofen, meloxicam, grapiprant, prednisone). These already carry stomach risks in dogs. Adding devil's claw adds uncertainty, and it makes it harder to tell which product caused a problem.
• Blood thinners, heart and diabetes medicines. The EU monograph reports no established interactions, but none have been studied in dogs. Let your veterinarian decide.
• Pregnancy and nursing. Safety has not been established, and the monograph advises against use in pregnant or nursing women. Do not give it to a pregnant or nursing dog.
• Gallbladder disease. The monograph advises medical advice first for gallstones.
• Surgery or anesthesia. No data says how long before surgery to stop. Tell your veterinarian about every supplement before any procedure.

Devil's claw vs better-documented options

The table counts dog trials. It shows how much data exists, not efficacy.

Sources: trials cited in this article and the 2022 review of 72 trials for the boswellia, omega-3, glucosamine and CBD rows. Green-lipped mussel has its own guide: green-lipped mussel for dogs.

Turmeric for dogs: what the trials show

Turmeric is the plant most often suggested alongside devil's claw, and it has more dog data. The largest controlled trial recruited 61 dogs with osteoarthritis; 54 were analyzed after 8 weeks on a turmeric extract or a placebo (Innes et al., 2003). The results were mixed:

• Objective measure: no difference on the force plate.
• Investigators' overall rating: a significant improvement.
• Owners' rating: just short of significance.

The 2022 review in fact counts this trial as a "non-effect" for pain. These results belong to one specific extract, not kitchen turmeric, and none of them gives you a dose to use at home. Our turmeric for dogs guide covers forms and absorption in detail.

Why a multi-ingredient chew is our first pick for a joint routine

• It matches the dog evidence. The only positive devil's claw data comes from blends. Our Hip & Joint Chews are a blend too, built on ingredient families that have dog studies of their own: green-lipped mussel (omega-3 group), turmeric extract, boswellia, undenatured type II collagen (UC-II), plus glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.
• It avoids devil's claw's specific cautions. There is no harpagophytum in the formula. The chew still contains plant extracts (turmeric, boswellia, ginger, black pepper, quercetin), so check it with your vet if your dog takes medication.
• It's one chew instead of several bottles.

To be fair about it, the chew itself has not been tested in a published clinical trial, and the amount of each active ingredient is not published.

The 2022 review found no pain benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin, so we present those two as part of a routine, not as pain relief. The chew contains pork liver, chicken fat and cheese powder. Check the label if your dog has food sensitivities. Our joint supplements guide ranks ingredients by evidence.

For dogs that refuse chews: liquid glucosamine

Our Liquid Glucosamine for Dogs ($31.99) combines glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM with mint and is dosed by weight with a dropper. Given the 2022 review, treat it as a basic routine, not pain relief. See glucosamine for dogs.

CBD oil: a comfort option to discuss with your vet

Evidence for CBD in canine osteoarthritis is promising but still thin. The 2022 review found a pain-relieving effect across 7 trials, smaller than for omega-3, and said more studies are needed before firm conclusions.

Our CBD oil for dogs ($31.99, 60 mL) lists 30 mg CBD, 25 mg CBDA and 5 mg CBG per mL. One mL is a reference volume, not a dose, so set the amount with your veterinarian. The product page notes that drowsiness and digestive changes can occur, and it is not for puppies under six months or for pregnant or nursing dogs.

The FDA has not approved any CBD product for animals, and the rules vary by state, so ask your veterinarian before you start. More detail: CBD oil for dogs with arthritis and is CBD safe for dogs?

A 6-week trial plan to agree with your vet

1. Week 0: get a veterinary exam to confirm the cause. Hip dysplasia, a torn ligament and arthritis are managed differently (see hip dysplasia in dogs). List every medication and supplement your dog takes.
2. Baseline: film your dog getting up, climbing three stairs and starting a walk; note the weight.
3. Start one product at a time at the labeled amount.
4. Weeks 2, 4 and 6: repeat the same videos and notes. Stop and call the vet if your dog vomits, has diarrhea or black stools, or stops eating.
5. Week 6 to 8: review with your vet. Keep, adjust or switch.

Warning signs: call your veterinarian

• Your dog won't put weight on a leg, can't get up, or cries when touched.
• A swollen, hot joint or a fever.
• Vomiting, black or tarry stools, or loss of appetite, especially on an NSAID.

Devil's claw for dogs: FAQ

Can I give my dog devil's claw?

Possibly, but only after talking to your veterinarian. No clinical trial has tested devil's claw on its own in dogs, so there is no proven dog dose. It is a poor choice for dogs with a stomach ulcer, dogs on an NSAID or steroid, pregnant or nursing dogs, and dogs with gallbladder disease.

Is devil's claw safe for dogs?

There is no long-term safety data in dogs. In a review of 28 human trials, about 3% of people had minor side effects, mostly stomach upset, and the EU herbal monograph rules it out with an active stomach ulcer. For dogs, the key question is what else your dog takes.

What is the dose of devil's claw for dogs?

No dose has been established for dogs, and the ranges online are unreferenced and inconsistent. If your veterinarian agrees to a product, follow its label and your vet's instructions; never convert a human dose yourself.

Is devil's claw an anti-inflammatory?

Lab studies show that devil's claw compounds act on inflammation pathways, and the plant is traditionally used for minor joint pain in people. That is not the same as proof in dogs, and devil's claw is not a substitute for an anti-inflammatory your veterinarian prescribes.

Can I give devil's claw with carprofen or meloxicam?

Do not combine them without your veterinarian's approval. Both can upset the stomach, and NSAIDs already carry a risk of stomach ulcers in dogs. Adding a second product with stomach side effects makes it harder to tell which one caused a problem.

What is the best natural anti-inflammatory for dogs?

No plant has been proven to replace a prescribed medicine. In a 2022 analysis of 72 trials, omega-3 sources, which include green-lipped mussel, had the clearest evidence for pain relief. Turmeric and boswellia have very few dog trials. Devil's claw has only been studied in mixtures.

This article is for informational purposes and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian before starting any supplement, especially if your dog is pregnant, nursing, on medication, or has a diagnosed condition.