Question: Can human pain medication, Tramadol, give my dog relief from osteoarthritis?

Answer: Tramadol alone does not provide significant pain relief in dogs with osteoarthritis.

A recent research study looked at this FAQ. It was published in Veterinary Evidence in June 2021. I spoke with veterinarian Catherine Barnette about the findings. “Tramadol is a human pain medication sometimes used in dogs with osteoarthritis. This review article critically examines two studies on the efficacy of tramadol, concluding that tramadol alone does not provide significant pain relief in dogs with osteoarthritis. So, if your dog currently receives tramadol alone for osteoarthritis pain, talk to your veterinarian about alternative pain control options.”