14 Best Joint Supplements for Dogs: We Asked A Vet
At a Glance: 6 Best Joint Supplements For Dogs
Whether your fur-baby is just a pup or the goodest senior pooch you want the best life for them and with 25% of dogs suffering from osteoarthritis at some stage in life, you want to support their joint health to minimize any pain.
Here we discuss joint health in human’s best friends, how to protect their joint health and help to decide on the best dog joint supplement for your pooch.
Our top pick is Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Joint Health Chewable Tablets. Developed and produced by a trusted company in the USA, these chewable tablets have science behind them to ensure your pup is receiving the best quality ingredients that actually work to support their joint health.
Doggie Dailies Advanced Hip & Joint with Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM Soft Chew
Doggie Dailies have developed these soft chew supplements with added MSM to provide even more support for cartilage repair in pets with arthritis.
These delicious chicken flavor chews are packed full of joint supportive active ingredients that act as both anti-inflammatory agents while supporting connective tissue, joint fluid and cartilage health.
- Glucosamine
- MSM
- Chondroitin
- Yucca schidigera
- Co-Enzyme Q10
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Additional omega fatty acids, vitamins and fish oil for skin and coat health
- Produced in an FDA registered facility
- 100% money back guarantee
- There have been concerns about counterfeit product being sold
- Some pet paw-rents report vomiting and diarrhea after these chews
Synovi G4 Joint Health Soft Chews for Dogs
Synovi G4 have combined natural anti-inflammatory properties of Boswellia and green-lipped mussel (Perna) with turmeric to help relieve pain and inflammation in pets suffering with joint pain.
These soft chews contain a range of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds combined with glucosamine and MSM to support cartilage health and joint flexibilit.
- Glucosamine
- MSM
- Boswellia serrata
- Perna canaliculus
- Vitamin C
- Turmeric
- Selenium
- Vitamin E
- Contains the Seal of Quality by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC).
- Suitable for all life stages of dog
- Some picky pets refuse to eat these chews
Nutramax Cosequin, Keeping it simple, these scientifically supported ingredients provide glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM to help produce healthy cartilage within damaged joints.
These chewable tablets support cartilage production and are suitable for adult pooches .
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- MSM
- Nutramax are the number one veterinarian recommended brand
- Easily administered either whole or crushed up and hidden in food
- Researched and produced in the USA
- Some owners report tummy upsets while feeding these chews
Nutramax Dasuquin are the leading joint supplement brand recommended by veterinarians and Dasuquin has added ASU which has recently been shown to reduce pain and boost the actions of other active ingredients within joints.
Chewable tablets with added ASU which helps to reduce pain in combination with cartilage supportive glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU)
- MSM
- Produced in the USA with appropriate testing of ingredients
- Designed primarily for large and giant breed dogs
- Some owners report that their picky pups refuse to eat the chewable tablets
VetIQ Maximum Strength Hip & Joint Soft Chews Dog Supplement
- Glucosamine
- MSM
- Fish and Krill Oils
- Omega fatty acids
- Hyaluronic acid
- All natural, high quality ingredients
- Made in the USA
- Some picky pups refuse to eat these chews
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- MSM
- Hyaluronic acid
- Chondroitin sourced from bovine origin
- Specially designed for large breed senior dogs
- Veterinary Formulation
- Some picky pets refuse to eat these chewables
Extend Joint Care
Extend Joint Care has produced a proprietary blend of cartilage supportive ingredients with extra vitamin C in an easily mixed granular formulation. This veterinary formulation is designed to support the repair of damaged cartilage within joints.
- Proprietary blend
- Glucosamine
- MSM
- Chicken Collagen
- Vitamin C
- Veterinarian formulation
- Beef flavored granules to mix with food or make a gravy with some water
- Glucosamine is sourced from shellfish, to which some dogs may be allergic
BestPaw Nutrition Glucosamine Joint Support, the only liquid glucosamine supplement to make our list, pups with sensitive stomachs may benefit from the extra vitamin B complex within. Best Paw have added co-enzyme Q10 which has been shown to support healthy hearts.
- Chondroitin
- Glucosamine
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Co-Enzyme Q10
- Pet parents report rapid improvements in their pup’s comfort after starting this supplement
- Extra vitamin B complex supports heart and gastrointestinal health
- Some owners report that their pet doesn’t seem to like the flavor
Hyalogic HyaFlex Pro-Complete Dog Joint Supplement, w/Glucosamine MSM
- Glucosamine
- Hyaluronic Acid
- MSM
- Odorless and tasteless so should suit even the pickiest pup
- Hyaluronic acid also helps maintain healthy skin, gums and eyes
- Shellfish derived glucosamine means allergic pooches can’t take this product
Infinite Hip & Joint Advanced Formula
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- MSM
- Turmeric
- Suitable for all life stages, including puppies
- All natural ingredients and flavoring
- Some paw-rents report that their pet doesn’t like the taste of these chewables
Glyde Mobility Chews Glyde Mobility Chews Dog Supplement
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- Green Lipped Mussel
- Natural ingredients
- Suitable for all breeds of dogs
- Glucosamine from shellfish, not suitable for sensitive pooches
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- Turmeric
- MSM
- Collagen
- Vitamins
- Yucca schidigera
- Non GMO ingredients
- Lifetime Guarantee so risk free
- Some paw-rents report tummy upsets
ProSense Advanced Strength for Dogs Glucosamine Chew Tablets
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- MSM
- Vitamin C
- Holds the National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal
- Owners report rapid improvements in their pet’s comfort levels
- May not be suitable for pets with allergies
PetHonesty Advanced Hip + Joint Support Soft Chews with MSM Dog Supplement
- MSM
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- Turmeric
- Vitamins
- Yucca schidigera
- Collagen
- Naturally flavored
- Produced in an FDA-registered facility in the USA
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Some owners report that their pup won’t eat these chews
What Are Joint Supplements Used For?
There are supplements available to support multiple systems within our pets’ bodies; these are designed to support a healthy joint environment and reduce the effects of joint disease in affected pets. Supplements can be used either as preventatives or as complementary management for pets with joint disease.
These products promote general joint health by providing essential nutrients used within, thus also helping to prevent joint issues in breeds at an increased risk. Large and giant breeds of dogs are particularly prone to joint disorders from a younger age than their smaller counterparts. For example, we tend to see disorders such as hip and elbow dysplasia in German Shepherds and Labrador breeds.
Every dog, no matter their breed can develop joint aches and pains for many reasons, arthritis related to old age, trauma, or post surgical procedures. There are a number of risk factors that increase the likelihood of your fur-iend developing joint problems including breed genetics, obesity and nutritional considerations, some of which can be managed.
Joint supplements can help with general joint health and also in multiple diseases:
- Dysplasia (hip and elbow)
- Osteoarthritis
- Traumatic joint injury
- Post surgical support
How do joint supplements work?
Commercially available joint supplements provide high concentrations of certain essential nutrients and compounds used as building blocks within cartilage and joint fluids. These include glucosamine, chondroitin and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) which are some of the best known components.
Some supplements are enhanced with naturally occurring anti-inflammatory substances such as turmeric and green lipped mussels. The primary goal of supplements is to supply everything the body needs to fight inflammation and deterioration due to wear-and-tear.
Benefits of using joint supplements
Good quality supplements provide benefits to the majority of pets to varying degrees. If your young pup is taking a supplement before having any signs of joint disease, you may not notice a change in their movement and comfort. That doesn’t mean that the supplement isn’t working, they act as preventatives too so if your pup is a high risk breed these products can support and strengthen their joint health before any signs can be seen.
Some of the benefits these supplements provide include:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Improved joint mobility
- Increased energy and more interest in exercise thus resulting in a happier pooch
How should my pup use joint supplements?
It’s important to remember that while these products may reduce pain and inflammation they don’t act in the same way as pain killing medications.
Your pup can’t just take an occasional pill and feel better, supplements need to be given consistently and over an extended period of time to work best for pets.
Some joint supplements even require that your pet take a higher dose for a period of time to achieve optimal results.
Are joint supplements worth the cost?
This is one of the most common supplement related questions, the answer is yes and no. Joint supplements act to soothe inflammation within stiff joints but they may not work for all pooches.
As we always say here at FluentWoof you should chat with your veterinarian to help decide if your pup should take any supplements. Not all supplements are created equal and your vet will advise you on what ingredients might best help your pooch. While most supplements don’t interfere with medications, your vet will be able to confirm what’s safe for your fur-baby.
When should my Dog start taking a supplement?
Puppies: Where possible prevention is the best strategy so if your new puppy is at high risk of joint problems, supplements from a young age would be prudent.
Senior Pooches: As pooches age, they slow down and their reckless younger years start to catch up to them so joint supplements may help ease inflammation and improve your senior pup’s comfort levels.
Active dogs: Athletic pooches put extra pressure and strain on their joints and ligaments and in the longer term these dogs will likely benefit from some extra support.
Ingredients to look for in a good joint supplement
There’s a long list of ingredient combinations in joint supplements. Glucosamine and chondroitin are possibly the best known of these while Green Lipped Mussel and turmeric are emerging as promising anti-inflammatory agents in managing osteoarthritis in dogs. More scientific research is needed to confirm the efficacy of many of these compounds.
Glucosamine: Glucosamine has some mild anti-inflammatory properties and is a naturally-occuring chondroprotective compound. This means it helps to support and repair cartilage within joints. Glucosamine is a safe, natural substance often used at all stages of arthritis.
Chondroitin Sulfate: Chondroitin is a major component in cartilage that promotes water retention and shock absorption within joints. Evidence is equivocal regarding the beneficial effects of chondroitin sulfate on dogs with degenerative joint disease but some pup owners report positive effects on their pooches.
Omega Fatty Acids: There are many potential benefits of using omega fatty acids including easing joint pain. Joint disease tends to be associated with varying degrees of inflammation and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation.
Beta Glucans: These natural polysaccharides have been shown to have a number of beneficial effects in humans including anti-inflammatory, anti-osteopoprotic and immunomodulating actions. In dogs, beta glucans have been used to treat atopic dermatitis with positive effects.
Green-Lipped Mussel: The New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) has long been used in traditional medicine to support joint health. These shellfish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants and also contain chondroitin. These interact with inflammatory pathways to reduce irritation and improve comfort and mobility in pups with joint disease.
Collagen: Collagen is a naturally produced protein within the body that plays a large role in the structure of bones, skin, tendons and joints. As animals and humans age the amount of collagen produced by the body is reduced. A recent study found that a supplement containing collagen helped to reduce the clinical signs of pain in labradors with elbow dysplasia.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): MSM is a naturally occurring pain-killer and anti-inflammatory that is rich in sulfur which is used to synthesise amino acids used to maintain healthy skin, hair and joints. While the scientific evidence is limited, it has promising results in clinical trials to treat osteoarthritis.
Turmeric: Curcumin is an active compound in turmeric root. It has recently been lauded as an anti-inflammatory agent and cure-all in the media, but more information is needed. Some early work has shown that supplementing a pet’s diet with curcumin may help to reduce signs of pain from osteoarthritis.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C plays a role in the synthesis of collagen and also acts as an antioxidant to reduce inflammation.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a well known antioxidant and may slow the progression of osteoarthritis by reducing inflammation.
Selenium: Selenium is a trace element present in cartilage and collagen within joints and helps to reduce inflammation.
Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a compound found in synovial fluid that has been shown to relieve pain in both humans and animals suffering with synovitis which is inflammation of the joint capsule lining.
Co-Enzyme Q10: This compound is found in both humans and dogs within the mitochondria of cells. Mitochondria are known as the ‘energy powerhouses’ of cells and coenzyme Q10 is essential for high energy cells. Q10 also functions as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and has been used to support treatment of heart disease and some cancers in dogs but the scientific evidence is limited, particularly in relation to any efficacy for pups with joint disease.
How to choose the right joint supplement for your dog?
Joint supplements are some of the most popular pet health products sold across the world and with the huge variety available, it can be incredibly difficult to choose a product to help your pup. Here are some helpful tips to watch out for when shopping:
Ease of administration/Palatability
Arguably one of the most important factors when choosing a supplement for your pet. You want a good quality product for your best fur-iend, but it needs to be something tasty to encourage your pet to take them regularly.
Type
Capsules, tablets, powders or liquids all play a role in whether your pup will take their supplements willingly. These all have a variety of added ingredients to improve palatability but may some may upset sensitive tummies or pets with food intolerances.
Tablets: Tablets may have a chalky texture or strange smell that not all dogs will accept.
Liquid: Liquid supplements tend to have less added ingredients than tablets as they’re designed to be quickly swallowed or mixed with food.
Chews: Chews may have added sugars and flavors to improve palatability but may not be suitable for pooches with a sensitive tummy.
Powder: These products tend to be easily mixed with food or make a tasty gravy to encourage compliance from your pet.
Safety and Costs
Joint supplements are nutraceuticals which are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the same way as medications.
As noted before, not all supplements are created equal and the cost of ingredients does play a role in the retail price point.
While a high cost doesn’t always guarantee good quality, lower costs do correlate with poorer quality ingredients so you should do some research about the company and their ingredient sources before purchasing.
Read the label
Goes without saying right?! The label gives a lot of information including the country where the supplement was manufactured and any third party laboratory testing that may have been performed to ensure quality.
The label should also include all active ingredients AND their dosage.
You want to be sure that you’re giving a safe amount of any product to your pet, and you also need to know that you’re giving an effective product that will help your fur-baby.
Will This Improve Your Dog’s Quality of Life?
A good quality joint supplement, dosed correctly for your pet’s size and health requirements will certainly help your fur-baby’s quality of life.
The type of product will play a role as to what visible changes you may see in your dog.
Some products are primarily anti-inflammatory and may give some degree of pain relief while others are aimed toward supporting a healthy joint environment.
The former may allow a pet to run around more and seem to have more energy while the latter may not have such a visible response.
At What Age Should I start Giving My Dog a Joint Supplement?
Any age is completely fine to start giving a joint supplement, pets who start receiving a joint supplement at younger ages may reap more benefits than dogs who start a supplement after showing signs of joint pain.
Side effects & Risks of joint supplements:
There are some risks and possible adverse effects with any product but in general the active ingredients should be safe.
Overdose: It’s possible to overdose on nutraceuticals and the delicious flavors added to many supplements mean they may be irresistible to your fur-baby. Overdose can be serious and your pet would need immediate veterinary attention in such an event.
Tummy Upsets: Sensitive dogs may have vomiting, diarrhoea or flatulence which usually resolves quickly if the treat is mixed with other food or is offered in a reduced amount.
Dosage
Suitable dosing depends on the size of your pet and the product and active ingredient being given. You should check the manufacturer’s instructions for accurate dosing information for your dog.
NEVER give your fur-baby human medications!
F.A.Qs
Q: Do joint supplements for dogs really work?
A: Yes and no. Responses to supplements vary depending on the active ingredient, timing and duration of supplementation and also individual pets respond differently. You should discuss product choices with your veterinarian to select the most suitable supplement for your pup.
Q: Can a dog get too much glucosamine and chondroitin?
A: Yes, both chondroitin and glucosamine are nutraceuticals rather than medications but overdoses can still occur. If your pet receives other sources of these supplements or manages to break into their stash then you should seek veterinary attention immediately.
Q: How long does it take for glucosamine to work in dogs?
A: Some owners report seeing improvements in their pup within 2 weeks of starting glucosamine supplementation but it can take up to 6 weeks before you notice improvements.
Q: At what age should I give my dog glucosamine?
A: You can start giving glucosamine to a healthy dog from as young as one year old.
Q: What home remedy can I give my dog for arthritis?
A: There are many “home remedies” touted online but you should always discuss these with your veterinarian to ensure they’re safe before offering to your pup.
Q: Can I use human glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs?
A: No, you shouldn’t give any human products to your dog as the concentrations are different to canine preparations and some of the adjunctive ingredients may even be toxic to dogs.
Q: Can glucosamine hurt dogs?
A: In general, glucosamine is a safe compound but it should be avoided if your pet has kidney disease or is taking any medications until your veterinarian has approved the supplement.
Q: How do I keep my dogs joints healthy?
A: Aside from offering a quality supplement that supports cartilage and joint health in your pet you should ensure that they receive adequate exercise and appropriate nutrition to maintain a healthy weight.
Q: What is the best over the counter anti inflammatory for dogs?
A: There are no over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications for dogs. If you’re concerned that your pet needs a pain relieving medication, the best thing to do is contact your veterinarian for advice.
Q: Is cosequin the same as glucosamine?
A: Cosequin is a brand of supplement that contains glucosamine.
Q: Is MSM an anti inflammatory?
A: MSM, also known as methylsulfonylmethane is a natural anti-inflammatory compound. Initial investigations into the use of MSM for osteoarthritis in dogs are encouraging but more work is needed.
Q: Does MSM help with parasites?
A: There are some scientific studies that indicate MSM has some efficacy against parasites, particularly those affecting humans.
Conclusion
Every paw-rent wants the best for their fur-baby and joint health is essential for their comfort and a long and happy life.
You already offer them the best nutrition and exercise plans to develop strong bones, teeth, muscles and a healthy weight but what about their joints?
Providing your pooch with a quality supplement that prevents inflammation while supporting healthy cartilage and joint fluid function. Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Joint Health Chewable Tablets are top-dog on our hunt for the best dog joint supplement.
Nutramax Labs are based in the USA with dedicated research laboratories and excellent quality control systems in place.
