best hypoallergenic joint supplement for dogs

10 Best Joint Supplements for Dogs

All senior dogs deserve the benefit of joint supplements. They are used alone or with medications and other remedies to help preserve your dogs mobility during the development ofarthritisand degenerative joint disease.

Maintaining lean body weight and encouraging regular exercise are key to keeping joints healthy, but nutritional supplements can also improve joint comfort and protect cartilage, the cushioning in joints that stops bone from rubbing on bone when your dog moves. There are a variety of joint supplements that work in different ways.

Does My Dog Need Joint Supplements?

If your dog has reached senior age (about 7+ years of age) and/or has been diagnosed with arthritis or a joint medical issue, consider a joint supplement to help aid their comfort. Supplements cannot cure a degenerative joint disease or arthritis, but they can significantly help keep your dog comfortable.

Joint supplements can help:

Symptoms of Joint Pain in Dogs

Osteoarthritisis the most common disease affecting joints in dogs. It occurs due to a gradual wearing away at the cartilage in the joints during the aging process or secondary to a developmental orthopedic disease. OA cannot be reversed, but supplements can slow the progression and help maintain pain-free mobility.

Common symptoms that indicate your dog would benefit from joint supplements include:

• Limping or lameness

• Stumbling, or losing their footing, slipping during routine walks

• Stiffness, especially after lying down

• Joint swelling

• Loss of muscle mass in the rear legs and hips

• Difficulty getting up or lying down

• Trouble navigating stairs

• Reluctance to exercise

• Inability to jump

• Pain; can be assessed as mobility issues or behavioral changes such as aggression or changes in appetite

If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the veterinarian for a complete examination. Your vet will conduct a physical exam, chat with you about observations, and perhaps request additional tests to investigate any affected joints.

Best Joint Supplements for Dogs

1. Dasuquin with MSM

Dasuquin is available as a soft chew, chewable tablet, or capsule which can be opened and sprinkled onto your pups food.

In addition to traditional joint supplement ingredients, MSM adds an all-natural anti-inflammatory property which is great for dogs with joint disease.

2. Cosequin

Cosequin comes in a variety of formulations including chewable tablets, soft chews, and capsules that can be sprinkled on food.

In addition to having a variety of different formulations with different additives to help with joint health, this supplement comes in various sizes specific to life your pups life stage and breed. Cosequin Minis are great for smaller dogs and Cosequin Senior is great for pups at least 7 years old.

3. Movoflex

Movoflex comes in small, medium, and large breed options. Ingredients such as eggshell membrane and hyaluronic acid work together to strengthen joints and improve mobility.

This product is great for those with joint disease or for dogs that are more active to help promote joint health as a preventative health measure.

4. Nutri-Vet Joint Health DS plus MSM

This liver-flavored chewable tablet is formulated for large breed and senior dogs. This supplement contains MSM to help combat inflammation in addition to hyaluronicacid which helps joint health, skin health, and fur coat health.

5. Duralactin

Duralactin is available as a chicken flavored soft chew and a vanilla flavored chewable tablet.

Along with traditional joint supplement ingredients, it also contains MicroLacti, a dried milk protein that is ideal for long-term use in joint health maintenance. This joint supplement aims to reduce inflammation and maintain healthy levels of joint fluid.

6. Flexidin

Flexidin is a soft chewy treat that comes in different sizes for small/medium and large dog breeds to promote joint health.

This supplement also comes in an advanced formulation which contains UCII, a type II collagen derived from a chicken breastbone. UCII has beenstudied and proven to help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis in dogs and reduce cartilage damage.

7. Vetoquinol Triglyceride OMEGA

This omega-3 fatty acid supplement is a gel capsule available in three sizes for small, medium, and large breed dogs. Omegas can help to improve mobility and ease joint pain.

In addition to helping joints, omegas are beneficial for heart health and can help keep a pups coat shiny while also helping to reduce itchy skin associated with allergies.

8. Zesty Paws Mobility Bites

Zesty Paws Mobility Bites are soft chews formulated for adult and senior dogs, available in either bacon or duck flavor.

This supplement contains OptiMSM, a premium form of MSM to help reduce inflammation. It also contains vitamins C and E for strength, flexibility, and comfort.

9. Vibeful Mobility & Joint Health

This beef-flavored soft chew is designed for all sizes and breeds of dogs. In addition to glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, this supplement contains both DHA and EPAomega-3 fatty acids which help promote joint health.

Best Ingredients for Joint Supplements in Dogs

Glucosamine Hydrochloride

Glucosamine for dogs helps stimulate growth of new cartilage and protect the cartilage in the joint. Healthy cartilage is essential for joints to move effortlessly and without pain. Unlike most other anti-inflammatory medications, glucosamine has been proven safe for long-term use, so a joint supplement containing glucosamine can be helpful as an early intervention for dogs susceptible to osteoarthritis, such as large- and giant-breed dogs. It is also helpful for dogs with joint damage from an injury, such as a broken bone, elbow dysplasia, or hip dysplasia).

Glucosamine can be given to dogs as young as 8 weeks old, but only if approved by your veterinarian.

Chondroitin Sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan found in your dogs cartilage. It helps keep the joint lubricated, provide shock absorption, and sustain the tissues that line the joint. Chondroitin inhibits destruction and promotes production of cartilage components.

Chondroitin is often combined with glucosamine, and together they can reduce inflammation and help prevent destruction of cartilage in the joint.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oils)

Fish oils are high in omega-3 fatty acids and have been proven to promote joint health and support a dogs heart, coat, skin, and immune systems. Omega-3 fatty acids are the good oils that can be found in many dog food diets, and theyre also available as a dietary supplement. These fatty acids help regulate joint inflammation and inhibit the enzymes that break down cartilage.

Green-Lipped Mussels (GLM)

Extract derived from green-lipped mussels has all-natural anti-inflammatory and joint protection properties. Supplements that have GLM combined with glucosamine and chondroitin can help decrease pain and preserve joint function in dogs.

GLM is also a potent source of omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that help with promote healthy skin and organ function and aid in disease prevention.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

MSM is a naturally occurring supplement that has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. MSM also helps to flush waste out of cells, leading to less disease and better joint function. With the toxins pushed out of the cells, it makes way for healthy vitamins and minerals to be absorbed. MSM has also been used as a natural pain reliever by blocking nerve stimulation to the body.

How To Choose a Dog Joint Supplement

Most aging dogs will eventually display some form of joint pain, and you can help to alleviate that pain and discomfort with the right joint supplements. Knowing that your dog will eventually deal with losing cartilage between bones, you can be proactive by providing a joint supplement that helps to lubricate and reduce inflammation. Joint supplements, like any other medication or supplements, should always first be approved by your veterinarian.

Joint supplements offer a high margin for safety, but they can interact with other medications and cause negative side effects. Joint supplements are best utilized in combination with physical therapy, which will allow greater success for pain-free mobility in your dog.

When choosing a joint supplement, its important to keep a few things in mind:

• Glucosamine sulfate is not effective in dogs; it must be glucosamine hydrochloride.

• There are many types of omega-3 fatty acids, but dogs specifically need EPA and DHA to decrease the inflammatory process caused by arthritis.

• The most common side effects of joint supplements are vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite, which should be reported to your veterinarian as soon as possible to determine next steps.

Joint supplements are one of the most common long-term, safe treatments recommended to help lessen inflammation and pain, improve function, and slow progression of joint damage and arthritis. As with any other supplement, it's best to check with your veterinarian before starting a new regimen to ensure that it is safe and recommended for your dog.

WRITTEN BY

Barri J. Morrison, DVM

Veterinarian

Barri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her...

The best joint supplements for dogs, according to vets

Joint issues in dogs are usually either degenerative or developmental. Degenerative joint issues can be caused by the aging process or injuries caused by activity. In short, wear and tear on our dogs bodies causes problems over time.

Developmental joint issues refer to improper joint development. This happens when a dogs joint doesnt form properly.

Common canine conditions that cause joint pain

Two of the most common conditions joint supplements can help with are arthritis and hip dysplasia. In addition, joint supplements can also help with the general aches and pains doggos experience as they get older. Below are some of the most common joint issues in dogs, along with information about what causes each condition.

Osteoarthritis. When the tissue that separates and protects bones deteriorates, a dogs joints become inflamed. In the term osteoarthritis, osteo refers to the way the body tries to stabilize joints by creating bone overgrowth in those areas.

Hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip socket doesnt form properly. Because the socket is improperly shaped, the joint rubs against it, which can be extremely painful.

Connective tissue diseases. These diseases are relatively rare and take a vet to diagnose. They can be caused by genetics or environmental factors. A rare disease called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is one example of this type of condition.

Wobbler syndrome. This condition is also called cervical spondylomyelopathy. It causes issues with the spinal cord and spinal cord roots. It can also cause neck pain.

Luxating patella. This condition occurs when the patella, another word for the kneecap, moves out of place.

Tick-borne diseases. Tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis can cause joint inflammation.

Cancer. Synovial cell sarcoma, a type of cancer, can lead to a condition called cancerous arthritis. Some bone cancers can also affect a dogs joints.

Osteochondritis dissecans. When cartilage doesnt develop correctly, it can separate from the bone. Puppies that grow too quickly are especially prone to this.

Panosteitis. This condition occurs when a young dogs bones grow too fast. It leads to painful inflammation but mostly affects the bone rather than the joint.

Legg-Calv-Perthes disease. This condition occurs when the top part of the femur (thigh bone) deteriorates due to a lack of proper blood flow. Its also known as aseptic necrosis of the femoral head. It can lead to pain and movement issues.

Injuries. Bone fractures and ligament tears can lead to joint pain and other issues.

8 Best Joint Supplement for Dogs in 2023

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Welcome to our review of the best joint supplement for dogs, an especially important joint health aid for owners of large dog breeds.

Hip and joint issues, including hip dysplasia, are very common ailments that afflict a significant percentage of the dog population. Although these types of problems are rarely life-threatening, they usually reduce a dogs quality of life and make even mundane tasks, such as walking and getting up from bed difficult.

However, there are a number of commercially produced dog hip and joint supplements on the market. In addition to glucosamine, most contain chondroitin and various other ingredients that provide relief to dogs suffering from joint stiffness, pain, and mobility.

Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Chewable Tablets for Large Dogs

Our Top Recommendation for Best Joint Supplement for Dogs

The USA-made and veterinarian recommended Nutramax Dasuquin chewable tablets are suitable for large dogs. They contain ASU, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, ECGC from decaffeinated green tea extract, and Boswellia serrate.

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Best Joint Supplement for Dogs

Seven of the best joint supplement for dogs are detailed below, and information about the causes of joint pain, breeds susceptible to joint problems, and best strategies for protecting your dogs joints is included farther down the page.

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Nutramax Dasuquin Chewable Tablets are one of the top joint supplements for large dog breeds, as they are specifically formulated for dogs weighing more than 60 pounds. These popular naturally flavored chews are not only easy to administer to your large breed, but they contain four different nutritional supplements to help strengthen and protect your dogs joints.

Price: $$$$

Features:

• Nutramax is the number one brand recommended by veterinarians for joint health
• Contains chondroitin, glucosamine, avocado or soybean unsaponifiables and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
• This formulation has been fine-tuned by incorporating more than 10 years of clinical research

User Reviews: Most pet owners report that giving Dasuquin reduced their dogs pain and stiffness and improved joint mobility. Many even reported that their dog became happier and more energetic. A few customers complained about the cost of the supplement, but most found it to be well worth the additional expense.

Bottom Line: Given the combination of great product reviews, the assorted mix of joint-supplementing compounds contained in the recipe and the fact that they are made specifically for large breeds, Nutramax Dasuquin Chewable Tablets are one of the best joint supplements for dogs with hip dysplasia, arthritis, or other ligament issues. They deserve serious consideration from any owner who is not put off by the relatively high price point.

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Glyco-Flex III Dog Chews are specifically designed to supply the proper supplementation levels for active or working dogs and senior dogs. Glyco-Flex III is made with 10 different ingredients thought to support joint health, including glucosamine, MSM, green-lipped mussel, DMG, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, manganese, grape seed extract, L-glutathione, and selenium.

Price: $$

Features:

• Veterinarians have recommended the GlycoFlex Joint Support Stages System for more than 40 years
• According to the manufacturer, some dogs exhibit as much as 41% more leg strength after only 4 weeks of using this product
• Naturally flavored with real chicken
• Made for dogs of all sizes and weights

User Reviews: Most pet owners who provided Glyco-Flexx III to their canine for several weeks reported improvements in both flexibility, mobility and activity level. It also appears to help reduce the pain many dogs with arthritis or hip dysplasia experience. Unfortunately, a few owners reported quality-control problems with the Glyco-Flex III product; however, such reports were very rare in relation to the number of owners who were very pleased.

Bottom Line: Glyco-Flexx III contains more joint-supporting ingredients than any of the other advanced joint supplements for dogs that we reviewed. Accordingly, it may be the best option to choose for dogs who have not responded to other supplements. Most dogs seem to find the taste acceptable and the price is very reasonable, so it represents a low-risk option that deserves consideration.

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Doggie Dailies are great-tasting, chicken-flavored soft chews, designed to help support joint health in dogs of all sizes. Each Doggie Daily contains six different active ingredients in each chew, including glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, Yucca shidigera, co-enzyme Q10, and hyaluronic acid.

Price: $

Features:

• Contains salmon oil and cod liver oil to help support coat health
• Two bonus ebooks included with purchase
• Made in the USA at an FDA-registered facility

User Reviews: The majority of pet owners who tried Doggie Dailies for several weeks reported good results. Many dogs began exhibiting better mobility and suffering from less pain after taking these chews, and several owners mentioned that their dog loved the taste of the product.

Bottom Line: Doggie Dailies soft chews are very affordable joint care supplements for dogs, but they contain several of the same ingredients that more expensive supplements do, as well as a few high-priced products, dont typically include.

Additionally, because Doggie Dailies are backed by a manufacturers guarantee, you dont have much to lose by trying them.

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Infinite Pet Supplements is a safe and simple chewable tablet, made with four simple active ingredients: glucosamine, organic turmeric, chondroitin, and MSM. Designed to provide your pet with everything his joints need and nothing they dont, Infinite Pet Supplements are made without any harmful additives or ingredients.

Price: $$$

Features:

• Natural beef-liver flavor ensures your dogs will love these tablets
• Made in the USA in a GMP-certified factory
• Lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer

User Reviews: The majority of owners reported great results from Infinite Pet Supplements, citing their dogs improved mobility and reduced pain. Many owners even reported that their dogs mood improved after using these joint care supplements. A few owners failed to see any positive benefits, but this is a possibility with any supplement.

Bottom Line: Infinite Pet Supplements are high-quality, yet affordable hip and joint supplements for dogs. Because they are made with very few ingredients, they are the best choice for dogs that have delicate digestive systems or suffer from food allergies.

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The Missing Link Ultimate Hip, Joint & Coat Powder Supplement is different from many other products on the market, as it is designed not only to address your dogs joint problems but any coat problems he may be experiencing as well. This powdered formulation contains a number of different active ingredients, but it primarily relies on glucosamine to improve joint health.

Price: $$

Features:

• Contains omega fatty acids to help promote brain, eye, and coat health, as well as sustained energy levels
• Made with antioxidant-rich kelp, which can help support immune function
• Formulated with sources of dietary fiber to help improve digestive system health

User Reviews: The Missing Link Ultimate Hip, Joint & Coat Supplement is one of the best-reviewed powder dog joint supplements on the market, and the vast majority of owners who shared their experiences have been very pleased. Most owners report that their dogs joint problems became much less severe and that their dog was enjoying a much higher quality of life after starting the treatment.

Bottom Line: Given its low price and great reviews, most pet owners should give The Missing Link Ultimate Hip, Joint & Coat Supplement serious consideration. Not only does it appear to be very effective for treating joint problems, but it also contains ingredients that may provide your dog with a number of ancillary benefits, including an improved coat and intestinal health.

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Cosequin DS Plus with MSM Chewable Tablets is another very high-quality supplement manufactured by Nutramax. Made with four different joint-supporting ingredients (including chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, and manganese), these tasty tablets allow you to use a multi-faceted approach to address your dogs joint problems in several different ways.

Price: $$

Features:

• Nutramax is the #1 recommended brand by veterinarians for joint health
• Appropriate for all breeds, sizes and life stages
• Each tablet provides 600 mg glucosamine and 300 mg chondroitin

User Reviews: Most Nutramax joint care supplements are pretty highly rated products, but Cosequin DS Plus with MSM Chewable Tablets have earned incredible ratings from owners 91% of those who tried these tablets gave them a 4- or 5-star rating. Many noted improvements in overall health, mobility and coat condition, and most dogs seem to love the taste.

Bottom Line: Cosequin DS Plus Chewable Tablets are some of the best hip and joint supplements for dogs available, especially for those who have mild to moderate hip or elbow issues. They dont have quite as much chondroitin and glucosamine per tablet as some other supplements do, but you still get great value for your dollar, as these tablets contain four different joint-supporting compounds.

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TerraMax Pro Hip & Joint Supplement is a popular premium liquid dog joint supplement that is not only packed with glucosamine and chondroitin with added MSM and hyaluronic acid, but it is also easy to administer. Made without any artificial additives, colors or preservatives, this supplement is 100% pure and completely safe for dogs to use, as its made with only human-grade ingredients.

Price: $$

Features:

• Formulated for maximum absorption
• Backed by the manufacturers 100% money-back guarantee
• High levels of glucosamine chondroitin, MSM and hyaluronic acid
• Made in the USA

User Reviews: The vast majority of owners who tried TerraMax Pro Hip & Joint Supplement for Dogs liked it. Most reported that it helped improve their dogs mobility and ease their pain, and a few even reported that surgery was no longer necessary after using the supplement. A few dogs experienced mild digestive issues after using the product, but each dog is an individual, so this can happen with any food or supplement.

Bottom Line: TerraMax Pro Hip & Joint Supplement for Dogs is a great liquid joint supplement for any canine but given that it contains 1600 mg of glucosamine and 1200 mg of chondroitin per ounce, it is one of the best options for large dogs. Also, some owners will find that the liquid form is easier to administer to their pet.

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TeraMax Pros all-natural concentrated liquid, glucosamine, is a veterinarian recommendation for improving dogs hip and joint health. Along with healthy joints, the powerful supplement also helps repair damaged cartilages and alleviate skin and stomach problems and incontinence.

In addition, its combination of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM regulates the overall health and resiliency of connective tissues. This strengthens your dog before they age and keeps bone injuries at bay.

Price: $$

Features:

• Made with superior human-grade ingredients for effective treatment of swollen or inflamed joints
• Liquid formula gives an increased rate of absorption as compared to pills, chews, or powder
• Regulates mobility by repairing and nourishing joints, cartilages, and tissues
• Contains no sugar, starch, gluten, wheat, yeast, milk, or soy

User Reviews: Most users report witnessing an improvement in their dogs joint health after a single use. Pet parents have mentioned a change in the energy levels of their dogs as well, making them more alert and mobile.

Many have also seen higher effectiveness than chewable tablets and regular pain medication. Aside from mild side effects of vomiting and diarrhea, TerraMax users record an overall satisfactory experience with no complications.

Bottom Line: The powerful formula combining glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, Opti-MSM, and hyaluronic acid has proven successful in helping relieve joint pains caused by hip dysplasia, ACL tear, and other stress-related bone and muscle injuries.

Its 100% money-back guarantee places the product high in our user satisfaction ranking.

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Why Buy Your Dog a Joint Supplement?

Joint problems in dogs are incredibly common in senior dogs, and large breeds are especially susceptible to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteoarthritis.

These problems can cause your canine to suffer in a variety of ways, but fortunately, high-quality hip and joint supplements can help in several different ways.

For example, dog joint supplements can benefit your canine by:

1. Reducing Pain

Hip dysplasia, arthritis, and other joint problems are often quite painful, which loving pet owners should always try to eliminate. Joint care supplements often provide great value in this respect, and, unlike pain-relieving medications, dog hip and joint supplements rarely cause serious side effects.

2. Reducing Inflammation

In addition to pain, most hip and joint problems also involve a considerable amount of inflammation. This not only exacerbates any pain your pet is suffering, but it can also lead to long-term damage. Fortunately, glucosamine and chondroitin often reduce inflammation significantly.

3. Improving Mobility

In addition to reducing the pain and inflammation associated with joint problems, supplements containing chondroitin and glucosamine usually help to support the production of cartilage. This will help your dogs joints work more effectively (and with less pain), thereby allowing your pup to get around better.

4. Enabling Exercise

Dogs who have hip and joint problems can rarely get enough exercise. This can lead to a number of problems, including most notably, weight gain. However, by reducing your dogs pain and restoring the range of motion in his joints, hell be able to run, jump and play better than he previously could.

5. Improve Your Dogs Mood

Pain, immobility and an inability to exercise can all lead to depression for some dogs. This will not only make your dog miserable, but it can contribute to behavioral problems and make recovery much more difficult. So, by supplementing your canine properly, you can help him enjoy life again.

Different Type of Joint Supplement For Dogs

Dog joint supplements come in several different forms, including liquids, powders, tablets, and soft chews. Each presents its own unique combination of benefits and drawbacks, and none are inherently better than the others. However, you should take a moment to review the pros and cons of each type, so you can pick the best type of joint supplement for your pet.

Also, it is important to note that some dogs will accept some types of glucosamine supplements better than others. For example, your dog may not like liquid supplements poured over his food, but he may eagerly eat flavored soft chew joint supplements.

1. Liquids

Liquid glucosamine for dogs is usually designed to be poured over your canines food at mealtime. They usually have fewer added ingredients than chews or tablets, and they often feature natural flavors to ensure their palatability.

Youll usually need to use a provided measuring cup to administer the proper amount of supplement. Note that some liquid glucosamine supplements require refrigeration after opening.

2. Powders

Powders are another form of joint supplement, and like liquids, they usually feature relatively few added ingredients. Also, like liquids, powdered joint supplements are usually designed to be added to your dogs food or water. Powders can be a bit hit-or-miss with dogs, as some dont like the taste or texture, but others dont seem to mind at all.

3. Tablets

Tablets are designed to be swallowed by your dog. This can be helpful for finicky pets, as they normally dont have much of a taste you can just put them in a pill pocket or a small piece of cheese and give them to your pet like a treat. If you dont want to go to this trouble, you can just insert the tablets deep into your dogs mouth and coax him into swallowing.

4. Chews

Supplemental joint chews are essentially treats that contain chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM or other joint-supporting compounds. They usually feature a natural flavor (such as chicken or beef) and have a texture that appeals to dogs. However, chews often contain more ingredients than liquids or powders, which some owners find troubling.

Joint Supplements: What to Look For

If your canine buddy suffers from osteoarthritis, giving them joint supplements and prescribed drugs is one of the best possible solutions.

Various joint supplements are available in the market, but if you want the best outcome for your dog, be cautious and act responsibly.

It is important to check the supplements ingredients and ensure that it contains ingredients that will help your dog. In addition, we advise you to consult your vet once before deciding on a supplement.

Lets see now what all you have to keep in mind while choosing a supplement for your dog.

1. Chondroitin

This should be present in your dogs supplement for sure. This, along with glucosamine, can lessen your worries and provide respite to your dog.

2. Glucosamine

As mentioned, Glucosamine and Chondroitin can be of great help for a dog with osteoarthritis. These two, when combined, can reduce inflammation and reduce joint pains. So, ensure that the supplement has both glucosamine and chondroitin as active ingredients.

3. Curcumin

Curcumin is the active ingredient of turmeric. They have anti-inflammatory properties and can provide respite to dogs suffering from osteoarthritis.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

This is found in fish oil, and it helps the body to produce certain chemicals. These chemicals, in turn, control the inflammation from within. So, they can reduce the stiffness and joint pains in dogs suffering from osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of Hip and Joint Pain in Dogs

Different joint problems cause different types of symptoms, but some of the most common symptoms of joint issues in dogs:

• Limping
• Bunny-hopping (moving both rear legs simultaneously, rather than in sequence)
• Stiffness
• Difficulty in getting up or laying down
• Difficulty in climbing or descending stairs
• Reluctance to hop up or down from familiar places
• Swelling
• Repetitive joint licking
• Whining or emitting pained vocalizations
• Depression
• Lethargy

It is important to realize that not all dogs exhibit obvious symptoms that they are suffering from hip or joint inflammation, so owners will need to be as observant as possible.

This way, you can begin treating your dogs pain and inflammation quickly, which will not only provide him with relief but also allow you to slow or halt the progression of some problems.

Youll also want to work closely with your vet, especially as your dog ages. Your vets trained eye may allow him or her to notice subtle signs that may indicate a problem.

Important Ingredients in Joint Supplement For Dogs

Over the last few decades, scientists have learned about a few ingredients that can help alleviate some of the pain caused by joint problems.

While most of the ingredients contained in the best joint supplements for dogs have some empirical data confirming their efficacy, they are not helpful in all cases. Accordingly, you may need to experiment with different dog joint supplements while working closely with your veterinarian.

Glucosamine is a chemical compound that the body uses to produce some types of cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. It is thought that by providing your dog with supplemental glucosamine, you can help support and encourage the production of new cartilage.

The glucosamine used in most dog joint supplements is harvested from the exoskeletons of shrimp, crab, and other crustaceans.

Chondroitin sulfate is another building block of some types of cartilage, and by providing additional chondroitin to your dog, you may enable his body to rebuild his damaged cartilage more effectively.

However, this is only half of the story chondroitin sulfate also appears to serve a protective function, which can help reduce the amount of damage that occurs moving forward.

Your dogs body produces chondroitin naturally, but the amount produced decreases with age, thereby making this a particularly helpful supplement for older dogs.

Much of the commercially harvested chondroitin used in hip and joint supplements for dogs originate from bovines or green-lipped mussels. Chondroitin is definitely one of the best joint vitamins for dogs.

Omega 3 fatty acids are important ingredients for a variety of biological processes, including proper eye development, supporting proper coat and skin health and supporting proper brain function.

However, one of the most important things that some omega fatty acids do is reduce inflammation. This can help reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia or injuries.

Some of the best fish oils for dogs include flaxseed, salmon and other fish oils, soybean oil and extracts made from green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus).

Dimethylglycine, or DMG, is a naturally occurring metabolite that veterinarians and trainers have been administering to dogs for the last two decades or so. Although it appears very safe and well-tolerated by most dogs, there is very little clinical evidence demonstrating its efficacy.

There is likely little reason to pay more for a supplement that contains DMG, but theres no reason to avoid those that do.

• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Methylsulfonylmethane is a naturally occurring pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory agent that is often used to treat arthritis and related conditions in both humans and dogs. MSM appears to be very safe, and there is some clinical data that support its ability to help decrease joint pain.

In addition to joint supplements for dogs, there are a number of medications that can help decrease inflammation and reduce joint suffering, including steroids, NSAIDs, CBD oil, and stronger pain-relieving medications.

However, you must always consult your veterinarian before administering any medication to your dog (and many, such as steroids, are only available by prescription).

Why Do Some Dogs Develop Hip and Joint Pain?

Dogs can suffer from hip and joint problems for a number of reasons, and some poor dogs suffer from more than one problem simultaneously.

Osteoarthritis

The cartilage in your dogs body cushions the bones that comprise his joints. This allows them to bend against or slide past one another easily. However, cartilage can break down over time, which can cause the joints to become quite painful. This condition can commonly be seen in senior dogs.

Some supplements may help to prevent further cartilage loss and veterinarians are sometimes able to transplant healthy cartilage to damaged joints to alleviate pain too.

Large, overweight and highly active dogs are at the greatest risk of developing osteoarthritis, and most dogs that develop the condition are of advanced age.

How to Recognize Osteoarthritis in Your Dog?

As pet parents, watching our dogs in pain is among the worst kinds of suffering. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common issues affecting any dog, but it affects large dog breeds more.

This degenerative disorder can become severe as your dog gets older. So, vets often recommend that right from middle age, you should look out for some of the simple symptoms. So, lets learn a little about them.

• Physical weakness: Your dog may show certain symptoms that will make them physically weak. For example, it may experience stiffness or may have difficulty getting up. As a result, it may become lethargic as well.
• Gaining weight rapidly: A dog with osteoarthritis will be reluctant to go for walks, run, or play with other dogs. This leads to a lack of exercise in your dog, and it can gain weight.
• Loss of muscle: With osteoarthritis, there can be loss of muscles as well. Please look at the spinal area and the limbs. If you find that it is becoming bony in these areas, or if your dog is adding fat in that area, be cautious!
• Difficulty in peeing or pooping: You must have noticed that dogs get into some specific positions when it tries to poop or pee. Since there are pains in the joint, your dog will have difficulty for your dog to get into a position to defecate. It may also relieve itself in your house accidentally.
• Your dog may become irritated: There will be changes in the mood of your dog. As it ages and osteoarthritis grapples more, continuous pain will change its attitude towards others. It will be temperamental and, at times, aggressive as well.

Treatments for Osteoarthritis in Dogs

Osteoarthritis may not be deadly, but it will surely affect your pets life. This disease worsens with time, which raises the question of what can be done to relieve our dogs.

Unfortunately, this disease is not completely curable. But with certain steps, your dogs life can be improved. So, lets see what all we can do to help our furry friend.

Give your dog joint supplements

Since osteoarthritis affects the joints in a dog, joint supplements can be a great option. Ingredients like glucosamine are present in these supplements.

These ingredients reduce inflammation, heal your dog, and retain water in your dogs cartilage, which helps in reducing the pain.

Administer Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Vets often prescribe NSAIDs to control the pain of osteoarthritis. These medicines can both decrease the inflammation in joints and reduce pain. But these medicines may have side effects, so NSAIDs cant be used continuously.

Get hold of Green-lipped mussels

You may have difficulty trusting this ingredient, but it is a proven ingredient for joint supplements. It contains antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids, which help in reducing inflammation and maintaining proper functioning of the joint.

Besides, green-lipped mussels have no side effects, and it is completely safe for your dog to consume.

Surgical procedures

Although this is not very common, in severe cases, vets recommend surgeries. Under this process, the joint is entirely replaced, or the damaged tissues are surgically removed.

Managing your dogs weight

If your dog has osteoarthritis, it carries excess weight around the joints. This degrades both the joints and can damage the cartilage as well. So, managing the weight of your dog becomes crucial in this case.

Some additional treatments

Depending on the severity, your vet may also ask for different types of treatment, like acupuncture and physiotherapy, as these can relieve your dog.

READ MORE: Best Large Breed Senior Dog Food

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Although they both cause pain and stiffness in the joints, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two very different conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively poorly understood autoimmune disease, in which your dogs immune system begins attacking the tissues in his joints.

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis often causes additional symptoms, such as elevated temperature, lethargy and general feelings of being unwell. One of the classic signs that indicate that a dogs joint pain may be caused by this autoimmune disease is the presence of equal pain and stiffness on both sides of the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly diagnosed in young or middle-aged dogs.

Hip Dysplasia

Dogs with hip dysplasia have improperly formed hip joints. This causes the joint to be unstable, which often leads to pain and osteoarthritis. Hip dysplasia is a congenital disease, which usually occurs along familial lines.

Not all dogs born to parents with hip dysplasia will develop the condition, and apparently healthy dogs can produce puppies who will go on to develop the condition.

Accordingly, many veterinarians believe that the genetic component of the condition predisposes some dogs to develop the condition, but it is not clear which factors cause it to manifest.

Damaged Tendons or Ligaments

Dogs can suffer injuries to their tendons (fibrous tissues that connect muscle to bone) or ligaments (fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones). Injuries can vary from mild to severe so the symptoms of these injuries may range from very subtle pain to lameness or immobility (be sure to check out our guide to dog mobility aids if your pet has trouble getting around).

Mild injuries will often heal over time with rest, but more serious damage may require surgical solutions. Some breeds are predisposed to tendon or ligament issues, but most can be avoided by exercising care during playtime.

Breeds More Susceptible to Hip and Joint Suffering

While any dog can suffer from joint or hip problems, some breeds, including senior dogs, are far more likely to suffer from these types of issues than others are. Generally speaking, hip and joint problems are most common among large, bulky breeds, including the following:

Although mixed breed dogs (mutts) can develop hip and joint problems, they are typically less common than in purebred dogs. This is especially true of inherited joint diseases.

What Else Can You Do to Help Your Pet?

It is impossible to prevent some diseases that cause joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, you may be able to help reduce your dogs chance of developing osteoarthritis or some of the other conditions that can limit a dogs mobility by following a few guidelines.

• Ensure that your dog gets sufficient exercise

Exercise helps promote total body health in dogs, so it is always important to make sure your dog gets an appropriate amount of exercise (although you should always follow your vets advice regarding dogs who are predisposed to joint problems or already suffering from them).

However, exercise also helps strengthen your dogs muscles, which can keep joints more stable, which can help reduce damage and the associated pain.

• Avoid activities that are likely to lead to joint injuries

Running through unfamiliar terrain often causes injuries, as does playing in unsafe areas. While most minor injuries heal without causing lasting effects, serious injuries can have life-changing ramifications, so you should always strive to avoid injuries.

Make sure that your dog plays on flat, relatively soft surfaces, and that you always inspect the area for potential hazards before your dog starts running and jumping.

• Keep your dog at a healthy body weight

Dogs with healthy body weight can suffer from joint problems, but they are much more common among overweight and obese dogs. Carrying around extra weight places additional strain on the bones and joints, which can lead to increased damage to the cartilage and pain.

Because large dog breeds are already pushing the limits of their joints, and even trim individuals carry around quite a bit of bulk, it is especially important to keep big breed dogs at a proper weight.

• Visit your veterinarian and have your dogs joints examined regularly

As with most other health problems, joint issues are easiest to treat when diagnosed early. Not only can you begin providing some pain relief for your dog sooner, but you can also potentially avoid causing further damage.

Accordingly, youll want to visit your vet at least once per year and have him or her examine your dogs joints carefully. The vet will not only check for pain in the joint but also range-of-motion.

• Feed young puppies the correct amount of nutritionally appropriate food

Puppies grow very quickly, which means that their bodies must build new tissue including bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage at a rapid rate. And because the improper amounts of calories or nutrients can lead to developmental problems, you need to be very careful to select a food formulated for puppies and to provide the proper amount of it.

Large breeds grow even faster than small and medium-sized dogs do, and they often continue to grow for a longer period of time, which means they have slightly different nutritional needs than their smaller counterparts do.

Accordingly, it is often wise to purchase puppy food specifically formulated for large breeds. Check out our guide to the best large breed puppy food to learn more.

FAQs

Which is the best joint supplement for dogs?

Some of the best joint supplements that you should consider for your dogs are Vetri-Science Laboratories Glyco-Flex III Bite-Sized Dog Chews, Infinite Pet Supplements All-Natural Hip & Joint Supplement, Nutramax Cosequin DS Plus with MSM Chewable Tablets, and TerraMax Pro Concentrated Liquid Glucosamine for Dogs- An Advanced Hip and Joint Supplement.

Do joint supplements for dogs really work?

Yes, they do work on dogs with osteoarthritis. It has been clinically proven that joint supplements can address inflammation and repair cartilage, which provides relief to your canine friend.

What do vets recommend for dogs with joint pain?

For joint pain, vets mostly recommend NSAIDs, which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some of the well-known NSAIDs are deracoxib and meloxicam.But you cant administer these daily, so vets often recommend supplements to support your dog as well.

At What age should you start giving your dog joint supplements?

According to some experts, you should start giving joint supplements to your dog when it turns one year. When a dog turns 1, its body just stops growing. So, joint supplements are some extra protection you can give your dog from an early age.

Can glucosamine cause liver damage in dogs?

Yes, there have been reports of glucosamine damaging the livers in dogs. It can also lead to kidney damage. If your dog has liver, kidney, or liver issues, do not give it to them, even in small quantities.

Does fish oil help dogs joints?

Yes, it does. Although we often overlook its importance, fish oil should be a part of your dogs diet. It relieves joint pain and can be a great option for your dog if it suffers from osteoarthritis problems.Additionally, it also supports your dogs heart and makes its immunity stronger.

Which is better, glucosamine or fish oil?

Both are equally beneficial, and they provide holistic treatment to a dog suffering from osteoarthritis. Fish oil has Omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the inflammation in osteoarthritis, and glucosamine supports the eroded cartilage part.

How long does it take for dog joint supplements to work?

Joint supplements take around 4 to 8 weeks before giving your dog the best results. So while they have fewer side effects than regularly prescribed drugs, they take more time.

Summing Up The Best Dog Joint Supplement

Have you ever cared for a dog with hip or joint issues? What types of things did you do to help provide your dog with relief? Do you give him one of the best joint supplements for dogs listed above?

Share your experiences in the comments below you never know when your story will be able to help someone else provide their dog with some relief.

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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.