A mature German Shepherd walking comfortably through a villa garden with a bowl of boswellia resin on a table in the foreground

Boswellia for Dogs: Dosage Chart, Arthritis Evidence and Side Effects

September 11, 2026

Quick answer

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata), known in Ayurveda as Shallaki or Indian frankincense, is a resin extract that is well tolerated by dogs and used to ease arthritis stiffness. The best-known dog study used 400 mg per 10 kg of body weight daily for six weeks, and most dogs improved, with mild diarrhoea in a few. Ask your vet before starting.

Key takeaways

In Ayurveda: Shallaki gum resin has been used for centuries for stiff, painful joints, and it is a classic partner herb in Ayurvedic joint formulas.
How it works: its boswellic acids, especially AKBA, block 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme that drives inflammation, a different pathway from most prescription pain relievers.
In dogs: an open study of 29 dogs used boswellia alone, and newer placebo-controlled trials used it with other joint ingredients, with positive results.
Dose used in research: 400 mg of extract per 10 kg (about 40 mg/kg) once daily with food.

What is boswellia in Ayurveda?

Boswellia is the gum resin of the Boswellia serrata tree, which grows in dry, hilly regions of India, North Africa and the Middle East, and is a close relative of the frankincense burned as incense. In Ayurveda it is called Shallaki, and the resin has been used for centuries for chronic inflammatory conditions, joint pain above all (Siddiqui, 2011, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences).

Ayurveda describes Shallaki as astringent, bitter and sweet in taste (rasa), and light and drying in quality. Its classic use is sandhivata, the Ayurvedic name for creaky, painful joints, which tradition sees as Vata, the dry and cold dosha, settling into the joints. Think of an older dog who is stiff in the morning and slow on the stairs. Practitioners rarely give Shallaki alone: the resin is combined with partners such as turmeric and guggul, given with food, and supported with warmth and oil massage.

How does boswellia work in dogs?

Boswellia's active compounds are the boswellic acids. The most studied, AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), is the most potent inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), an enzyme that makes inflammatory leukotrienes. Most vet painkillers (NSAIDs, such as carprofen and meloxicam) block a different enzyme family, cyclooxygenase (COX). So boswellia complements, rather than copies, standard pain relief.

A simple diagram showing inflammation in a joint driven by two enzyme pathways: the COX pathway, targeted by most veterinary NSAIDs, and the 5-LOX pathway, which the boswellia compound AKBA blocks.

Do not combine boswellia with your dog's prescribed pain medication without asking your vet: interaction data in dogs are lacking.

Boswellia for dogs with arthritis: what science is finding

Dog research points the same way as tradition. The first study tested boswellia alone and most dogs improved; later placebo-controlled trials used it in blends, as Ayurveda does, and found less pain than placebo.

Study	Design	Result
Reichling et al., 2004	Open study, no placebo. 29 dogs with chronic joint and spinal disease; boswellia resin extract 400 mg/10 kg once daily for 6 weeks.	Lameness, local pain and stiffness improved in 71% of the 24 dogs assessed. Mild, reversible diarrhoea and flatulence in 5 dogs.
Martello et al., 2022, PLoS One	Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled. 40 dogs; tablet with glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, collagen and a boswellia/green tea/chlorophyll blend.	Vet-scored arthritis signs and owner-rated pain improved versus placebo by day 60. No adverse events. Manufacturer-funded.
Caterino et al., 2021, PLoS One	Randomised, double-blind. 20 dogs; a joint supplement with or without added boswellic acid and phytosomal curcumin, 90 days.	Some gait measures improved within the boswellia plus curcumin group. Small, mostly within-group comparisons.

VCA Animal Hospitals notes that early studies in arthritic dogs and humans have shown positive effects. A dvm360 article for vets adds that the 2004 study was unblinded, based on subjective data and not placebo-controlled. Larger single-herb trials would be welcome; research is still catching up with tradition.

Boswellia for dogs dosage chart by weight

There is no officially established boswellia dose for dogs. The only dose tested on its own in dogs is 400 mg of standardised resin extract per 10 kg of body weight (about 40 mg/kg), once daily with food, for six weeks (Reichling et al., 2004). The table applies that dose as a reference point.

A dose-by-weight bar chart for boswellia extract at the research dose of 400 mg per 10 kg: 200 mg for a 5 kg dog, 400 mg for 10 kg, 800 mg for 20 kg, 1,200 mg for 30 kg and 1,600 mg for 40 kg.

Dog's weight	Research dose (400 mg per 10 kg, once daily)
5 kg (11 lb)	200 mg
10 kg (22 lb)	400 mg
20 kg (44 lb)	800 mg
30 kg (66 lb)	1,200 mg
40 kg (88 lb)	1,600 mg

A veterinarian quoted in PetMD suggests a different approach, starting a 50 lb (23 kg) dog on 300 mg twice daily for two weeks, then halving the dose. Agree the dose with your vet, and for dog supplements follow the dosage on the pack.

Why the label matters more than the milligrams

When University of Florida researchers tested 13 boswellia supplements (6 for people, 7 for dogs), AKBA content ranged from 0.1 to 155.7 mg per gram. The five products that stated an AKBA amount all contained more than claimed, between 114% and 224% of the label (Miscioscia et al., 2019, BMC Veterinary Research). Choose a product that states its AKBA or boswellic acid content.

Ayurvedic home use for stiff joints

Give it with food: the daily extract dose (or the pack dose of a dog product), once a day with the main meal, as Ayurveda gives resins.
Warm oil massage (abhyanga): warm a teaspoon of plain sesame or coconut oil and massage it gently into stiff hips, elbows and shoulders for 5 minutes, once a day, ideally in the morning when stiffness is worst.
Warmth and gentle movement: Ayurveda treats Vata in the joints with warmth and routine: two or three short, steady walks a day rather than one long one, and a padded bed away from air-conditioning draughts.

Safety: never give frankincense essential oil by mouth or put it undiluted on skin; massage gently and stop if your dog flinches; check with your vet before combining boswellia with NSAIDs or steroids.

Boswellia for dogs side effects

Boswellia is well tolerated in dogs. The only side effects reported in the 2004 study were mild, reversible diarrhoea and flatulence in 5 of 29 dogs, and the 2022 placebo-controlled trial reported no adverse events. Long-term dog studies have not been done yet.

Stomach upset: the most likely issue. Giving it with food helps.
Medication: tell your vet if your dog takes NSAIDs, steroids or other drugs.
Pregnancy and puppies: there is no safety research, so avoid unless your vet advises it.

Boswellia vs turmeric for dogs: which is better?

Neither is clearly better: they work on different inflammatory pathways, and Ayurveda has long combined them.

A side-by-side comparison of boswellia and turmeric for dogs covering plant part, key compounds, main action, dog evidence, research dose and main cautions.

	Boswellia	Turmeric
Plant part	Gum resin of Boswellia serrata	Root of Curcuma longa
Key compounds	Boswellic acids, especially AKBA	Curcuminoids, mainly curcumin
Main action	Blocks the 5-LOX enzyme	Acts on several inflammatory pathways
Dog evidence	One open study alone; positive trial in a combination	Small trials, mostly combinations; mixed
Research dose	400 mg extract per 10 kg a day	15 to 20 mg powder per lb a day
Main cautions	Mild diarrhoea, gas	Stomach upset; thins blood at high doses

	Boswellia	Turmeric
Plant part	Gum resin of Boswellia serrata	Root (rhizome) of Curcuma longa
Key compounds	Boswellic acids, especially AKBA	Curcuminoids, mainly curcumin
Main action	Blocks 5-LOX	Acts on several inflammatory pathways
Dog evidence	One open study alone; positive placebo-controlled trial in a combination product	Small trials, mostly in combinations; mixed gait results
Research dose	400 mg extract per 10 kg daily	15 to 20 mg powder per lb daily (vet-quoted)
Main cautions	Mild diarrhoea, gas	Stomach upset; blood thinning at high doses

For the full turmeric picture, read our guide to turmeric for dogs. For the most popular joint supplement of all, see glucosamine for dogs.

Signs your dog needs a vet

See your vet if your dog is limping for more than a day or two, cries out when touched, will not use a leg, has a hot or swollen joint, or is suddenly reluctant to climb stairs or jump. Weight control, exercise and prescribed pain relief are the foundation herbs build on. Our guide to how to tell if your senior dog is ageing well covers the early signs.

AyurPet's take

Shallaki is the Ayurvedic joint herb we trust most: centuries of use for stiff joints, a clear mechanism, and dog studies that keep pointing the same way.

The strongest dog results come from boswellia working alongside other joint ingredients, exactly how Ayurveda has always used it. That is why HipOJoint pairs a standardised boswellia extract (65% AKBA) with turmeric extract and glucosamine, and why we state the standardisation: the testing data show it matters.

When we would tell you not to use it: if your dog has sudden lameness, a swollen joint or obvious pain, see your vet first. If your dog is already on NSAIDs or steroids, check with your vet before adding any joint supplement.

AyurPet's boswellia joint support

AyurPet HipOJoint joint and mobility drops for dogs with boswellia, turmeric and glucosamine

HipOJoint joint drops

For senior, large-breed or stiff dogs. Boswellia (65% AKBA), turmeric (95% curcuminoids) and glucosamine with Ayurvedic herbs such as guggul and cissus, as liquid drops for food. Supports everyday joint comfort; not a replacement for your vet's arthritis plan. Rated 4.65 stars by customers. Follow the dosage on the pack.

See HipOJoint

Frequently asked questions

How much boswellia can I give my dog?

The only dog study of boswellia alone used 400 mg of extract per 10 kg of body weight (about 40 mg/kg) once daily, so about 800 mg for a 20 kg (44 lb) dog. There is no official dose; agree one with your vet and follow the pack for dog products.

Is boswellia safe for dogs?

It appears to be. Studies report only mild, reversible diarrhoea and gas in a few dogs, and one placebo-controlled trial of a boswellia-containing supplement reported no adverse events. Long-term safety has not been studied.

How long does boswellia take to work in dogs?

Expect weeks. The 2004 study assessed dogs over six weeks, and the 2022 combination trial saw the clearest differences from placebo at day 60.

Can I give my dog boswellia with carprofen or other NSAIDs?

Only if your vet agrees. Boswellia acts on a different enzyme from NSAIDs, but interactions in dogs have not been studied.

Can dogs take human boswellia supplements?

A vet quoted by PetMD says human products can be used if they contain no other compounds. Check the label for added ingredients, prefer a product that states its AKBA content, and ask your vet about the dose.

Is boswellia or turmeric better for dogs with arthritis?

Neither has strong standalone evidence in dogs. They act on different inflammatory pathways and are commonly combined, which is how most of the positive dog trials tested them.

How we researched this: Written by the AyurPet research team from 8 sources, including dog clinical trials, a product-testing study and veterinary references listed below. Last reviewed October 2026.

References

Siddiqui MZ. Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: an overview. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2011;73(3):255-261. PMC3309643
Reichling J, et al. Dietary support with Boswellia resin in canine inflammatory joint and spinal disease. Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde. 2004. PubMed 14994484
Martello E, Bigliati M, Adami R, et al. Efficacy of a dietary supplement in dogs with osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. PLoS One. 2022. PMC8849458
Caterino C, Aragosa F, Della Valle G, et al. Clinical efficacy of Curcuvet and Boswellic acid combined with conventional nutraceutical product: an aid to canine osteoarthritis. PLoS One. 2021;16(5):e0252279. PMC8162585
Miscioscia E, Shmalberg J, Scott KC. Measurement of 3-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid in Boswellia serrata supplements administered to dogs. BMC Veterinary Research. 2019;15:270. PMC6670232
Weir M, Williams K, Downing R. Nutraceuticals for Joint Support in Dogs with Osteoarthritis. VCA Animal Hospitals; 2022. vcahospitals.com
Wooten SJ. Joint supplements for dogs: the helpful vs. the hype. dvm360; 2017. dvm360.com
PetMD Editorial (reviewed by J. Coates, DVM). 4 Botanicals That Are Natural Anti-Inflammatories for Dogs. PetMD; 2019. petmd.com

Before you start: boswellia is a supplement, not a medicine. Check with your vet before giving it, especially if your dog takes medication, is pregnant or has a health condition. Our online vet consultation can help if you want a second opinion.

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