The 6 Best Dog Joint Supplements (2020 Buyer’s Guide)
Check out our choices for the best dog joint supplements to support joint health and mobility..
Joint MAX Triple Strength
Best Overall Joint Supplement
Combining glucosamine and chondroitin, along with MSM, it’s a powerful supplement for older or middle aged large dogs or smaller dogs with joint health needs or soreness.
Unlike other dog joint supplements, Joint Max TS targets joint pain across three areas: lubrication, cushioning of tissues, and provides support for cartilage, connective tissues, and bones.
Dasuquin with MSM
With thousands of glowing reviews across many different sites, it’s easy to explain why Dasuquin with MSM made our list. Dasuquin with MSM is a great option for dogs of all weights from 10 pounds to over 100 pounds that have hip and joint issues. It combines proprietary blends of common joint supplement ingredients with MSM. It is the most comprehensive joint supplement formulas available for your pet.
Dasuquin with MSM comes in a chewable tablet or soft chew form. Both forms work well but we recommend that you select soft chews for smaller dogs.
Here are a few signs that Dasuquin with MSM might be right for your dog:
- Struggling to perform activities they used to do easily
- Slowing down during walks
- Difficulty standing up
- Reluctance to climb stairs or jump
TRP-Chondro-FLEX
TRP-Chondro-FLEX is one of the top supplements for easing joint pain and discomfort in dogs:
- Soft chews are palatable and easy to administer
- Combines glucosamine and chondroitin
- Helps production of cartilage and the synovial fluid that lubricates joints
- Contains MSM that acts as an anti-inflammatory agent
- Helps improve mobility in aging dogs
Phycox MAX
Phycox MAX is geared towards mature dogs and contains a lot of healthy ingredients to promote both joint and general health.
First, it contains three times the amount of phycocyanin, an extract of blue-green algae that functions as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Its natural ingredients also include turmeric, green tea extract, cinnamon, and cranberry extract.
Phycox MAX was designed to help increase mobility in just 30 days, and it has some major improvements over their original formula.
Cosequin DS
In peer-reviewed U.S. veterinary studies, Cosequin DS by Nutramax has been shown to be a safe, effective, and bioavailable formula for joint health.
It combines chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and manganese ascorbate to create a supplement with a strong reputation amongst veterinarians.
Nutramax recommends a loading phase of four to six weeks, however some dogs may respond in a shorter amount of time.
GlycoFlex 3
GlycoFlex 3 contains a bunch of healthy ingredients to promote canine joint support:
- Glucosamine HCl
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
- Manganese
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Grape Seed Extract
- And more
GlycoFlex is part of the Vetri-Science stage of life program. In stage 3, GlycoFlex is recommended to help restore joint function and alleviate stiffness. It’s an excellent blend for geriatric, retired, working, and sporting breeds. (Can also be taken along with NSAIDS).
Joint Supplements at the Core
At EntirelyPets, we are a big proponent of joint supplements to help aging dogs with arthritis and inflammation.
It’s not fun to see your aging pup in pain, but you can slow down the process and drastically reduce their discomfort by giving them supplements to help their mobility.
Most of these supplements contain glucosamine, an excellent dietary supplement that humans take as well.
In this article, we’re going to go over what joint supplements contain, how often they should be given, how to administer them, any potential side effects, and the supplements you should consider for your dog.
By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to make the right decision.
What Ingredients Are in Canine Joint Supplements?
Canine joint supplements contain powerful active ingredients that help joints function better. They can help control arthritis and hip dysplasia symptoms, improve connective tissue quality, and provide antioxidants to help reduce oxidative stress.
Joint supplements also help with lubrication of the joints and cushioning of tissues, as well as cartilage, connective tissue, and bone support in all of your dog’s major joint areas:
The main ingredients in canine joint supplements are glucosamine and chondroitin.
Glucosamine is derived from shellfish and is a naturally occurring compound in joints. In supplements, it is provided in its synthesized form. It’s a safe supplement with the most common side effect being flatulence.
Chondroitin is another joint supplement that is often said to be synergistic with glucosamine. Glucosamine tends to outperform chondroitin on it’s own, but together they can provide a more powerful stimulation of collagen synthesis.
How Often Should Joint Supplements Be Given?
Administering frequency depends on your dog’s size and the severity their symptoms. As always, consult your veterinarian before giving anything to your dog, but joint supplements are usually given on a daily basis.
The heavier your dog, the larger the daily dosage will most likely be. (It also depends on the specific supplement as well, so make sure to read the recommendations on the label.)
Some supplements also recommend an initial loading phase. During this phase (usually around three weeks) the dosage is increased to give the supplement a jump start in helping aid symptoms. After the loading phase, the dosage usually decreases back down to normal levels (called the maintenance phase).
How to Administer Them
How you give your dog joint supplements depends on the supplement itself, as in whether it is a soft chew, tablet, or liquid.
However, in most cases you will be administering a soft chew or tablet. Soft chews and tablets can usually be placed with your dog’s regular meal and gobbled up at the same time. You can also administer tablets inside a pill pocket, which are tasty treats that can carry a pill inside.
They make administering medication as easy as giving your pet a treat.
Potential Side Effects of Joint Supplements
Joint supplement side effects are not very common, but some do occur (usually as a result of not consulting your vet beforehand). Here are some potential side effects of dog joint supplements:
- Diarrhea
- Change in blood glucose levels
- Allergic reactions (especially to shellfish)
- Decreased liver function
- Liver dysfunction
- Alteration of insulin resistance
To Wrap It Up
At any stage in your dog’s life, joint health is extremely important for their happiness, but especially as they age.
These are the best joint supplements on the market today. You can’t go wrong with any of them to help your dog maintain their mobility.