Best Dog Joint Supplement Chews: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
The best dog joint supplement chews will keep your dog’s joints healthy.
They also ensure a reduced level of pain and inflammation if they already have joint issues. In turn, this will help with their mobility.
We reviewed five of the best joint supplements for dogs to see whether they are a good value for you and your furry friend.
Comparison Chart
Dog Joint Supplement Chews: Top Options
1. Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews
Nutramax Laboratories is a company that specializes in providing supplements for pets and humans alike.
The Dasuquin With MSM Soft Chews is one of their most popular pet products because it's easy on the jaws and joints.
Product Highlights
Aptly named, the supplement's key ingredient is MSM, which will help keep inflammation and joint stiffness to a minimum.
It also has chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate that can help maintain your dog's cartilage structure.
Another ingredient is decaffeinated green tea, a known antioxidant to help prevent joint tissue oxidative stress.
No matter what breed or size your dog is, they’ll love one beef-flavored chew per day.
One bag of Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews comes in either 84 or 150 counts.
Plus, instructions on how many you can give this supplement to your dog are provided.
The Good
One of the great things we like about the Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews was the veterinarian-recommended ingredients blended into one chewable product.
If there is anyone who knows your dog’s joints better, it's your local veterinarian.
We also liked how it was nice and soft and doesn’t get as firm and hard over time.
Your dogs will get a fresh chewable every time you take it out of the bag.
We also like that this works with most breeds, meaning it isn’t just for large dogs like some supplements.
The Bad
We didn’t like that the taste of the Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews was a bit bland.
Not to mention, the smell of these chews wasn’t too pleasant either.
Since these are moist and chewy, they tend to get slimy whenever dogs try to eat them, and at times spit them out.
Other than that, you may need to include this in their food or wrap it up in a piece of cheese or some kind of deli meat that they like.
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2. PetNC Natural Care Hip and Joint Soft Chews
If you prefer giving all-natural chewable supplements, then you might want to consider PetNC’s Natural Care Hip and Joint Soft Chews.
With no fillers or harmful chemicals, the choice for your kind of supplement is a no brainer.
Product Highlights
These veterinarian-formulated, liver-flavored chews have ingredients such as chondroitin, MSN, glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid, which helps with joint fluid viscosity.
It also has vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that encourages bone and cartilage formation.
Other nutrients included are zinc, copper, and manganese that are all useful in cartilage formation.
As you can probably guess, it’s more than just a joint supplement. It will also focus on other areas of your dog’s health.
The PetNC’s Natural Care Hip and Joint Soft Chews is perfect for dogs who are currently dealing with joint issues.
It's also great if you want to stay ahead of the curve and make sure that your dog retains their mobility as they get older.
If your dog suffers from hip dysplasia, take a look at the best joint supplement for dogs with hip dysplasia.
The Good
We liked that the PetNC’s Natural Care Hip and Joint Soft Chews is made available for various size dogs.
Depending on your dog’s size and weight, you can give them anywhere between one and three per day or one every other day.
Another good thing we’ll point out is the affordability of PetNC’s Natural Care Hip and Joint Soft Chews.
The Bad
One of the things we didn’t like about PetNC’s Natural Care Hip and Joint Soft Chews was the awful smell.
These chewables can also get hard over time, meaning that they won’t be as easy to chew.
If your dog tends to have some jaw and teeth problems, you may want to break these up into smaller pieces.
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3. Doggie Dailies Advanced Hip and Joint Supplement
Established by dog lovers and parents, Doggie Dailies has been in the industry since 1991.
They are committed to providing high-quality and safe supplements for dogs that's why all their products undergo third-party lab testing.
Product Highlights
With Doggie Dailies Advanced Hip and Joint Supplement, you have two flavors to choose from: chicken or peanut butter.
Regardless of which flavor you go with, there are 225 chews in one container.
It will last your dog quite a while, so if you are looking for an extended supply instead of the usual 60- to 90-day supply, then this product may do.
If you have a dog that has been picky with supplements, they will love the flavor of these chewables.
Aside from the usual glucosamine and chondroitin, it has other ingredients imperative to your dog’s joint health.
That includes the antioxidant CoQ10 and the herbal plant Yucca schidigera.
The Good
One of the things we love most about Doggie Dailies Advanced Hip and Joint Supplement is its powerful blend of ingredients.
It has also been tested for purity, packaged in a BPA-free container, and is free of palm oil.
Another good thing to point out is that these chews are moist, tasty, and easy on a dog’s teeth and jaws.
The Bad
One of the things that really concerned us was that it could trigger some digestive issues, namely nausea and diarrhea.
Some users have reported that their dogs have experienced an increase in bowel movements.
The other bad thing about Doggie Dailies Advanced Hip and Joint Supplement is the kind of mess it can make.
The chewable can fall apart and leave behind crumbs.
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4. Cosequin Joint Health Supplement
Cosequin is hands down one of the best brands on the market for dog supplements.
In fact, if you were to ask your veterinarian about dog joint supplement chews, the first name you’ll hear will usually be this.
With the Cosequin Joint Health Supplement, your dogs can enjoy better joint mobility and less inflammation quickly.
Whether they are in the early stages of joint problems or having a hard time moving, this supplement might just do the trick.
Product Highlights
In one soft chew of Cosequin Joint Health Supplement, your dog will get a good dose of MSM and Omega-3 fatty acids.
In a few days or weeks, you will see a noticeable improvement in your dog’s joints and overall mobility.
You'll also see improvements in their skin and coat quality.
We’ve all heard the horror stories of supplements and other pet products and how they have played a role in most dogs' overall health because of the inclusion of harmful chemicals.
Luckily, Cosequin Joint Health Supplement isn't one of those since it's made in the USA using globally sourced and carefully chosen ingredients.
The Good
What really made us happy with this supplement is that it also focuses on some areas of your dog’s health other than joints and bones.
We also liked the fact that you can get results in as early as a few days.
While the results do vary, there’s a good chance that you will see better mobility in your dog when they take the Cosequin Joint Health Supplement regularly.
The Bad
The Cosequin Joint Health Supplement does come with some side effects.
They include but are not limited to nausea, diarrhea, and excessive thirst.
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5. Vetri Science Labs Glycoflex Joint Support
If you're looking for a supplement that has proven to strengthen your dog's hind legs by over 40%, the Vetri Science Labs Glycoflex Joint Support is worth considering.
It has a mix of active ingredients to improve overall joint health.
Product Highlights
One of the main ingredients of Vetri Science Labs Glycoflex Joint Support is Perna canaliculus.
It's a patented formula based on a whole green food that aims to strengthen cartilage and improve the flow of synovial fluid, which is essential for joint mobility.
That, together with glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin, and you get a joint supplement that will work day and night.
It is available in a tasty chicken liver or duck flavor; plus, it's easy to chew.
The Good
We were impressed that such a blend of natural ingredients came together to provide dogs with astounding results.
It’s no miracle supplement by any stretch of the imagination, but it has proven itself in becoming something that you can use for your dog in the long run.
The Bad
The taste might not be the best for some dogs, and it has a bit of a pungent smell.
To get your dogs to eat this, you might need to mix it with food.
Another option is to get the best joint health food for dogs.
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Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the top dog joint supplement chew can be a tough call, even with the reviews above.
As such, we made this guide that will help you make the right choice. We’ll take a look at some key features to help you understand how these supplements work.
Key Ingredients
Supplements will have different ingredients but the key components that you should look for in terms of joint health include:
- Glucosamine
Glucosamine helps improve cartilage and fixes any damage that may have been done in the past.
With its ability to repair cartilage, this can also help reduce pain and inflammation.
This means increased mobility will be expected over time.
- Chondroitin
The second of the two important ingredients, chondroitin will be useful for those with arthritis, both humans and dogs.
Like glucosamine, it works to reduce pain and inflammation. The specific ingredient you want to look for is glucosamine sulfate since it is the most effective kind.
Dosage Instruction
Although supplements aren't really medicines, it's important to ensure you give your dog the proper dose.
Thus, the supplement chew you're opting for should have clear instructions on how many or much can you give your dog, depending on their size or weight.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects aren't uncommon since you're introducing certain elements in your dog's body.
However, make sure that you get a supplement chew that has little known side effects.
FAQs
1. How much glucosamine and chondroitin can a dog take?
It will depend on a few factors like the dog’s size and weight. On average, a dog should have no more than 1500mg of each daily.
An overdose will not be harmful or fatal, but it can trigger some side effects that may be unpleasant.
2. What are some side effects caused by glucosamine?
Depending on the amount taken, side effects will usually include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
On some occasions, excessive urination can occur.
If your dog has an allergy to shellfish, they may react negatively to glucosamine due to its potential origin from shellfish like shrimp.
3. What are some activities you can do for a dog’s joints?
Most of the time, light exercises, physical therapy, and massages will do the trick.
Also, you may want to refrain from frequently using the stairs and use flat surfaces or a ramp.
This will help lessen the overall pressure that can trigger pain and inflammation.
Our Final Recommendation
All products we reviewed are great because they come from tested brands.
If you want our recommendation, though, we highly suggest the PetNC Natural Care Hip and Joint Soft Chews.
Not only does it contain natural ingredients, but is also great for dogs of all breeds and sizes.
