DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does arthritis treatment cost for dogs and cats?
Arthritis is one of the most common reasons an older dog or cat slows down, and treatment is now much better than it used to be. But it is an ongoing cost rather than a one-off, which catches some owners out. Between medication, monitoring and the odd blood test, the yearly total can be significant. The real prices below show what practices actually charge for the main options.
The quick version
- Arthritis care is usually a lifelong commitment, so it helps to think in monthly and yearly terms, not per visit.
- Options range from monthly Librela injections to daily anti-inflammatory meds and joint supplements.
- Ongoing meds often need periodic blood tests to check they are safe for the liver and kidneys.
- The right treatment depends on your pet's weight, age and how advanced the arthritis is.
What people actually paid
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 71% less than the advertised list price for arthritis treatment.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £24“prescription cost £24 for 6 months”
- £50“She's 11KG and it costs £50”
- £50“makes it about £50 per month”
- £50“ordered it online for approx £50 a month”
- £60“£60 for the Springer I'm fostering (22KG)”
- £78“mine costs £78, I don't have insurance”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The cost swings a lot because there are several routes and every pet needs a different one. Librela, the monthly antibody injection for dogs, is priced per dose and larger dogs may need more, while cats use a similar product called Solensia. Traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often cheaper per month but need regular monitoring bloods, which add to the total. On top of that, corporate practices tend to charge more than independents, roughly 18.3% more according to the CMA's 2026 review, and vet prices have climbed 63% since 2016. Whether your pet also needs weight-loss support, physiotherapy or hydrotherapy pushes the figure up further.
How to pay less
- Ask your vet to compare the yearly cost of injections versus daily tablets for your specific pet, as one is often noticeably cheaper.
- Keep your pet at a healthy weight, since less strain on the joints can mean lower medication doses.
- Check whether a health-care plan at your practice bundles the monitoring bloods at a discount.
- If you have pet insurance, confirm arthritis is covered before it becomes a pre-existing exclusion, and claim ongoing costs where allowed.
Common questions
Is Librela cheaper than daily arthritis tablets?
It depends on your dog's size and how the two are priced at your practice. Librela is a single monthly injection, while tablets are daily but usually need monitoring blood tests. Ask your vet to work out the annual cost of each and check the real prices below.
Does pet insurance cover arthritis treatment?
Lifetime policies generally do, provided the arthritis started after the policy began and is not a pre-existing condition. Ongoing meds like Librela can often be claimed each year up to your limit, so read your policy wording carefully.
Are joint supplements worth the money?
They can help mild cases and are relatively low cost, but they are not a substitute for medication in moderate to severe arthritis. Treat them as a support alongside whatever your vet prescribes rather than a replacement.