Updated September 25, 2026. Fact-checked against veterinary sources; review by a licensed veterinarian is in progress. See our editorial policy.
Quick answer: There’s no single “anti-inflammatory diet” for pets, but a few dietary strategies have good evidence for reducing inflammation-related problems. The two most important are keeping your pet at a lean body weight (fat tissue itself promotes inflammation) and adding omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA from fish oil), which help with arthritis, allergic skin disease, and kidney disease. Claims that grain-free, raw, or “superfood” diets reduce inflammation aren’t supported by good evidence.
What has evidence
- Lean body weight: in a lifetime study, Labradors kept lean had later and milder arthritis and lived longer
- Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA): improve arthritis signs in dogs, may reduce itch in allergic skin disease, and are included in kidney diets
- Therapeutic diets designed for joint, skin, kidney, or gut conditions
Conditions where diet can help
- Arthritis: weight loss plus omega-3-rich joint diets. See arthritis diets
- Allergic skin disease: omega-3s, skin-support diets, and elimination trials for food allergy
- Chronic gut inflammation: hydrolyzed or novel-protein diets. See IBD in cats
- Kidney disease: renal diets with added omega-3s
Claims without good evidence
- Grain-free diets reduce inflammation
- Raw diets reduce inflammation (and they carry bacterial risks)
- Turmeric, “superfood” toppers, or bone broth as treatment for inflammatory disease
Using fish oil safely
- Ask your vet for a product and amount based on your pet’s weight and condition
- Too much can cause diarrhea, a fishy odor, or, rarely, affect clotting
- Cod liver oil contains vitamins A and D, which can build up. It isn’t a substitute for fish oil
- Tell your vet if your pet is on other medications or having surgery
What to avoid
- Human anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Garlic or onion “remedies”
- Frequent diet switching
Sources
- Kealy RD, et al. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. JAVMA. 2002
- Roush JK, et al. Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. JAVMA. 2010
- Bauer JE. Therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals. JAVMA. 2011
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: Guidelines on selecting pet foods
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.