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Stop Galliprant and call your vet the same day if your dog has black or tarry stool, vomit with blood or “coffee grounds,” pale gums, yellow gums or eyes, a big change in drinking or urination, wobbliness, or a seizure. The FDA-approved label lists gastrointestinal ulcers, kidney and liver changes, anaemia and seizures among reports after approval, and states that in some cases death has been reported. Its own owner sheet notes the vast majority of dogs recovered when the signs were recognised and the drug was stopped. Never give Galliprant together with another NSAID (Rimadyl, Metacam, Previcox, aspirin) or a steroid such as prednisone.
The short answer: Galliprant (grapiprant) is an FDA-approved osteoarthritis drug for dogs, given once a day at 2 mg/kg (0.9 mg/lb). It works differently from older arthritis drugs — it blocks one prostaglandin receptor (EP4) rather than the COX enzymes — but it is still classed by the FDA as an NSAID and carries the same stomach, kidney and liver warnings. Its most common side effect is vomiting: 17% of dogs on Galliprant in the approval trial versus 6% on placebo. Its benefit is real but modest: after 28 days, 48% of dogs on Galliprant met the owner-rated success threshold versus 31% on placebo — about 17 extra dogs in every 100. Many dogs tolerate it well for months; the right approach is baseline bloodwork, periodic rechecks, and knowing the signs that mean stop and call.
By Marc Brannigan and Natalie Mondine, co-founders of HempMy Pet · Published October 24, 2026 · Last reviewed October 24, 2026. We have grown and bottled organic full-spectrum hemp for pets on our own Colorado farm since 2016. We are not veterinarians — everything below comes from the published veterinary sources listed at the end.
What Galliprant Is — and the “Not an NSAID” Myth
Galliprant's active ingredient, grapiprant, is the first drug in a class called piprants. Older dog arthritis drugs like carprofen (Rimadyl) and meloxicam block the COX enzymes, which shuts down prostaglandin production broadly — including the prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining and kidneys. Grapiprant leaves COX alone and instead blocks EP4, the receptor that the prostaglandin PGE2 uses to drive osteoarthritis pain and inflammation.
That design is why Galliprant is often described as gentler, and you will see pages calling it “not an NSAID.” That is wrong. The FDA-approved label describes it as a non-COX-inhibiting NSAID, and in 2018 the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine wrote to the manufacturer objecting to promotion that omitted that it is an NSAID, and to a claim that it had been “proven safe” at about 15 times the dose — a claim based on small groups of healthy young beagles. The label itself notes that EP4 also plays roles in protecting the stomach and in kidney sodium handling. Fewer targets, in theory; the same class warnings, in practice.
Galliprant is a different kind of NSAID, not a non-NSAID. Treat it with the same respect: bloodwork first, one anti-inflammatory at a time, and stop at the first warning sign.
Galliprant Side Effects: The Actual Numbers
From the 28-day field study behind the FDA approval — 141 dogs on Galliprant, 144 on placebo. Reading them side by side is the only honest way to see what the drug adds.
| Side effect | Galliprant | Placebo | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vomiting | 17.0% (24 dogs) | 6.25% (9 dogs) | The clear drug effect — usually a single mild episode |
| Diarrhoea or soft stool | 12.1% | 9.0% | Slightly more than placebo; mostly mild and self-limiting |
| Reduced appetite | 6.4% | 4.9% | Small difference — but loss of appetite is still a stop-and-call sign |
| Lethargy | 4.3% | 1.4% | Some dogs seem more tired |
| Serious events | 1 buccal ulcer, 1 immune-mediated anaemia | None | Rare; the anaemia case responded to treatment |
| Bloodwork | Albumin and total protein fell slightly with higher doses and recovered after the drug stopped; liver enzymes rose at day 28 in a dose study, with no clinical impact reported | ||
Rausch-Derra et al., Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2016, and the FDA-approved Galliprant label on DailyMed.
What the label lists since approval
Reports from real-world use after approval, grouped by system: vomiting and diarrhoea (with or without blood), pancreatitis, black stool, low albumin and GI ulcers; loss of appetite, lethargy, weight loss, panting and hyperactivity; raised liver enzymes; raised kidney values, increased thirst and urination, incontinence and kidney failure; wobbliness and seizures; anaemia and low platelets; itching, facial swelling and hives. The label adds that causation can't be reliably established from these reports — they are signals to watch for, not proof the drug caused each one.
Does Galliprant Actually Work?
In the pivotal trial, 262 dogs with osteoarthritis were evaluated after 28 days. Owners scored them on the Canine Brief Pain Inventory, a validated questionnaire. 48.1% of dogs on Galliprant met the success threshold, versus 31.3% on placebo. Pain severity, pain interference and the vet's own assessment also favoured the drug.
Put another way: for roughly every six dogs treated, one more improves than would have on placebo. That is a genuine effect — and also a reminder that a third of dogs improved on a sugar pill (owner expectation is powerful), and half of dogs on the drug did not reach the success line in four weeks. If your dog isn't clearly better after a month, it is fair to ask your vet whether a different option would suit better.
Galliprant vs Rimadyl vs Librela: What the Comparisons Show
The question every owner asks. The independent studies are small, but they point in a consistent direction.
| Comparison | Setting | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Grapiprant vs carprofen vs others | Induced acute joint inflammation, 5 dogs (2019) | Carprofen was most effective; grapiprant least |
| Grapiprant vs firocoxib | Induced acute arthritis model (2019) | Firocoxib consistently superior |
| Grapiprant vs carprofen | Spay surgery pain, 42 dogs (2022) | Grapiprant non-inferior |
| Grapiprant vs meloxicam | After TPLO knee surgery, 48 dogs (2024) | Lower pain scores with grapiprant at days 3 and 10 |
| Grapiprant vs bedinvetmab (Librela) | Osteoarthritis, 32 dogs, force plate (2026) | Success 56.3% vs 68.8% at day 42; both called appropriate first-line options |
A 2021 review concluded grapiprant seems better suited to chronic than acute pain, which fits the pattern above. In everyday terms: Galliprant is a reasonable option for long-term osteoarthritis, particularly for a dog that has had stomach trouble on a COX-inhibiting NSAID; it is less convincing for sudden, acute lameness. See our guides to Rimadyl (carprofen) and Librela for the other two.
Full-spectrum extract grown and bottled on our own Colorado farm — the same oil given to the 37 dogs in our 90-day joint study. Not a replacement for a prescription; if your dog is on Galliprant, talk to your vet before adding anything. Third-party tested every batch. $99
Shop 1,000mg Hemp Seed Oil → See the StudyHow to Give Galliprant Safely
- Baseline bloodwork before the first dose — the label advises it — so there is something to compare against.
- The dose is 0.9 mg per pound (2 mg/kg) once a day, in half-tablet steps. Tablets come in 20, 60 and 100 mg; the 20 and 60 mg are scored, the 100 mg should not be split. Dogs under 8 lb can't be dosed accurately.
- On an empty stomach, if your vet agrees. Food cuts how much is absorbed — in the label's data, blood levels with food were about a third of fasted levels. If your dog vomits, VCA advises giving the next dose with a small amount of food.
- One anti-inflammatory at a time. No other NSAID or steroid alongside it. When switching from another NSAID, the label says to allow an appropriate washout but gives no number; the approval trial used 7 days, and GoodRx's vet reviewers cite 5–7.
- Watch closely for the first two weeks, writing down appetite, stool and energy.
- Recheck bloodwork periodically if your dog stays on it long-term — the label recommends appropriate monitoring.
Which Dogs Need Extra Caution
- Puppies under 9 months, dogs under 8 lb, breeding, pregnant or nursing dogs — not evaluated.
- Dogs with heart disease — not studied.
- Dogs with existing kidney, liver or stomach problems, or that are dehydrated or not eating — the owner sheet says not to give it.
- Dogs allergic to sulfa drugs — grapiprant is a sulfonamide; whether sulfa-sensitive dogs react is unknown.
- Dogs on heart, seizure or behaviour medications — interactions with other highly protein-bound drugs haven't been studied. Tell your vet everything, supplements included.
- Collies and other breeds with the MDR1 mutation — in dogs with two copies, the drug was cleared 71% more slowly and 2 of 8 vomited; it was otherwise tolerated, but your vet should know.
How Long Can a Dog Stay on Galliprant?
There is no set limit, and many dogs with osteoarthritis take it for months or years under veterinary supervision. The label's nine-month safety study in healthy young beagles found the dogs stayed clinically normal, with more vomiting and soft stool than controls and small drops in albumin that resolved. What is missing is long-term data in older arthritic dogs — the longest clinical studies in real patients run about four months. That gap is the reason for periodic bloodwork and for reassessing, rather than refilling indefinitely.
Where Hemp Fits — and Where It Doesn't
We make hemp products for dogs, and joint comfort is where our own research is. Here is the careful answer.
Never stop a prescribed arthritis drug to try a supplement without your vet. Galliprant has a placebo-controlled approval trial behind it; that is a higher bar than any hemp product, ours included, has cleared for this use.
There is no published study of CBD with grapiprant. Both can affect the gut, and both are worth tracking on bloodwork — so start one thing at a time, from a baseline, with your vet knowing what your dog takes.
In our 90-day university study of 37 dogs with chronic joint discomfort, 23 were on gabapentin at the start; by the end, 10 had stopped it and 11 had reduced it — every change made by the dog's own vet. It was open-label with no placebo, and it did not test Galliprant.
Read hemp and your dog's medications before combining anything, and hemp for dogs with joint discomfort for how a supplement fits into a full plan with weight control and low-impact exercise.
Research-backed hemp for joint comfort — started low and slow, with your vet in the loop
250mg Hemp Seed Oil Small and medium dogs $49 1,000mg Hemp Seed Oil Large and senior dogs — the trial formula $99 
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Questions Worth Asking Your Vet
- Should I give it on an empty stomach, and what do I do if my dog vomits?
- When do you want the first recheck bloodwork, and how often after that?
- How long should we try it before deciding whether it's working?
- If it doesn't help enough, would Librela, a different NSAID, or a combination with gabapentin make sense?
- What else — weight, exercise, flooring, supplements — would let us use less over time?
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Galliprant make dogs feel?
Most dogs feel nothing in particular beyond, ideally, less joint pain. It is not a sedative. Some dogs seem a little more tired — lethargy was reported in 4.3% of dogs on Galliprant versus 1.4% on placebo in the approval trial — and the label also lists restlessness and hyperactivity among reports after approval. The most common effect is a mild, single bout of vomiting.
What are the serious side effects of Galliprant?
Rare but serious effects listed on the FDA label include stomach or intestinal ulcers and bleeding (black or tarry stool, bloody vomit), pancreatitis, raised liver enzymes, kidney injury and failure, seizures, anaemia including immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, and allergic reactions. The label states that death has been reported in some cases. Stop the drug and call your vet if you see any of these signs.
Is Galliprant hard on a dog's stomach?
It can be. Vomiting is its most common side effect — 17% of dogs in the approval trial versus 6% on placebo — usually a single mild episode. It is designed to spare the COX enzymes that protect the stomach, but it is still classed as an NSAID with gastrointestinal warnings. Give it as your vet directs (often on an empty stomach, with food if the dog vomits), never with another NSAID or a steroid, and stop and call for black stool or bloody vomit.
How long can a dog stay on Galliprant?
There is no fixed limit; many dogs with osteoarthritis take it for months or years under veterinary supervision. The label's nine-month safety study in healthy beagles found dogs stayed clinically normal, but long-term studies in older arthritic dogs are limited, so periodic bloodwork and regular reassessment are recommended.
Can Galliprant kill a dog?
Rarely. The FDA-approved label states that death, including euthanasia, has been reported in some cases after approval, though it notes causation can't be reliably established from those reports. The serious problems — ulcers, kidney or liver injury, severe anaemia — usually announce themselves first through vomiting, black stool, appetite loss, pale or yellow gums, or changes in drinking. The label notes most dogs recovered when signs were recognised and the drug was stopped.
Is Galliprant better than Rimadyl?
It depends on the dog. Galliprant works differently and may suit a dog that had stomach trouble on a COX-inhibiting NSAID like Rimadyl (carprofen). But in small head-to-head studies of acute joint inflammation, carprofen and firocoxib outperformed grapiprant, while for surgical pain grapiprant was non-inferior to carprofen and beat meloxicam after knee surgery. A 2021 review concluded it seems better suited to chronic than acute pain.
How long does it take for Galliprant to work?
It reaches peak blood levels within about one to two hours, but improvement in arthritis signs is usually judged over days to weeks. The approval trial measured success at 28 days. If your dog isn't clearly better after about a month, ask your vet whether a different option would suit better.
Can I give my dog CBD with Galliprant?
Ask your vet first. There is no published study of CBD combined with grapiprant in dogs. Both can affect the gut and both are worth tracking on bloodwork, so the safe way is to start one thing at a time from a baseline, with your vet knowing everything your dog takes. Never use a supplement to replace a prescribed arthritis drug without your vet's guidance.
The Short Version
Galliprant is an FDA-approved, once-daily osteoarthritis drug that blocks the EP4 receptor instead of the COX enzymes — but it is still an NSAID, with NSAID warnings. Vomiting is its most common side effect (17% vs 6% on placebo); its benefit is real but modest (48% vs 31% success at 28 days). Bloodwork first, never with another NSAID or a steroid, watch closely for two weeks, recheck periodically, and stop and call for black stool, bloody vomit, pale or yellow gums, a change in drinking, or wobbliness.
Hemp for Hip & Joint Mobility → Hemp & Dog Medications
Rimadyl Side Effects · Librela Side Effects · Gabapentin Side Effects · Arthritis in Dogs · What Can I Give My Dog for Pain?
Marc co-founded HempMy Pet in 2016 with his business partner Natalie Mondine, the company's COO. HempMy Pet breeds its own hemp genetics, grows them on its certified-organic Colorado farm, and formulates every batch in-house under human-grade standards — seed to sale, nothing sourced overseas. Every batch is third-party tested and the certificates of analysis are published. More about us.
HempMy Pet ran its own 90-day study of 37 dogs with chronic joint discomfort. Of the 32 that completed it, 30 (93%) showed a benefit, and 94% of owners reported their dog's quality of life had improved. It was overseen by Dr. Robin Downing, DVM, MS of the Downing Center for Animal Pain Management, with Lori Kogan, Ph.D. and Peter W. Hellyer, DVM of Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, and published in the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. Read the methodology.
Why Dr. Downing: in 2005 she became only the third veterinarian in the world credentialed as a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management. She founded the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, is a Diplomate of the ACVSMR, a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner and a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, and was the AVMA's 2020 Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year. Read the published paper (PDF).
This article is general information for dog owners, not veterinary advice. It is reviewed and updated as new peer-reviewed evidence is published, and where the evidence is thin or negative we say so.
How We Sourced This Article
Every claim above traces to one of these.
- Rausch-Derra L, Huebner M, Wofford J, Rhodes L. A prospective, randomized, masked, placebo-controlled multisite clinical study of grapiprant, an EP4 prostaglandin receptor antagonist, in dogs with osteoarthritis. J Vet Intern Med. 2016. PubMed.
- Elanco / FDA — Galliprant (grapiprant) FDA-approved label, DailyMed. Dose, food effect, warnings, field-study adverse reactions, safety study, post-approval experience.
- US FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine — 2018 letter regarding Galliprant promotional claims.
- Rausch-Derra LC, et al. Nine-month safety study of grapiprant in healthy dogs, 2015. PubMed. Heit MC, et al. Grapiprant in MDR1-mutant collies, 2021. PubMed.
- Comparative studies: Budsberg 2019 · de Salazar Alcalá 2019 · Ross 2022 · Cassemiche 2024 · Enomoto 2026 · review Sartini 2021.
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Grapiprant. PetMD — Galliprant for dogs. GoodRx — Galliprant for dogs.
- Kogan L, Hellyer P, Downing R. The Use of Cannabidiol-Rich Hemp Oil Extract to Treat Canine Osteoarthritis-Related Pain: A Pilot Study. J Am Holist Vet Med Assoc. 2020;58:35–45. Our disclosure: HempMy Pet supplied the hemp extract and reimbursed clinic costs; we had no involvement in any other study cited here.
Spot something that conflicts with your veterinarian's advice? Email support@hempmypet.com and we will correct it.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Galliprant is a prescription medication — never start, stop or change your dog's dose without your veterinarian.
