Best Joint Supplement for Dogs: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
Taking the best care of your dog will always be important. From the time they are puppies up to their senior years, we do our best to ensure they live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Like humans, as they get older, they may face age-related issues, including arthritis and limited mobility, as well as other dog-specific health problems.
Fortunately, there are various options available that can help them, such as the best dog food for joint health as well as the best joint supplement for dogs.
Of course, you can also consider making sure that their joints stay healthy while they're still young.
Let's look at five supplements that you can give your dog for them to have healthy joints.
Comparison Chart
Joint Supplement for Dogs Reviews
1. Nutramax Laboratories Cosequin with MSM Chewable Tablets
Cosequin is a company that specializes in providing joint health supplements for dogs, horses, and cats.
They have strict quality standards, making the Maximum Strength Joint Supplement one of the best supplements on the market.
Most veterinarians also highly rated it across the board for senior dogs when it comes to joint issues.
If you have a dog age six or older, including this in their daily routine is a must.
Product Highlights
The Cosequin Maximum Strength Joint Supplement has a delicious chicken flavor.
It will be as if your dog will be eating one of their favorite treats.
One tablet per day will help your dog's joints become more lubricated, so they can move around with ease.
Tasks like jumping into the car or climbing stairs will seem effortless.
When a dog is dealing with joint issues, doing these things will seem next to impossible.
One of the things that kept pet owners on alert is supplements that have been developed and manufactured in countries outside of the USA.
These concerns have arisen in the past due to ingredients that possibly trigger mysterious illnesses. Rest assured, Cosequin is made in the USA.
The Good
One of the great things about Cosequin Maximum Strength Joint Supplement is the delicious chicken flavor.
Dogs know a good flavor when they taste it, making the supplement very easy to take.
You don’t have to worry about your dog spitting them out because it tastes bland and disgusting.
Another thing that’s a plus is that it can work as a daily supplement and vastly improve your senior dog’s mobility.
Dogs will see results in an average of three weeks. This isn’t too bad considering that some joint supplements take slightly longer.
The Bad
There are a couple of things we didn’t like about the Cosequin Maximum Strength Joint Supplement.
First, there’s a good chance that your dog will develop quite the smelly breath.
Second, some of the ingredients can trigger upset stomachs in dogs.
If you know that your dog has a sensitive stomach, it may be smart to consult with your vet before using this supplement.
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2. VetIQ Maximum Strength Hip and Joint Supplement
VetIQ is another USA-based company that specializes in manufacturing supplements, medications, and care products for dogs.
All their supplements go through quality control to ensure they meet the highest standards in terms of safety.
The Maximum Strength Hip and Joint Supplement has some unique ingredients that have been linked to improving joint health in dogs.
You can get it in a 90-count or 180-count bag. Either way, your dog will love taking the supplement regularly.
Aptly named, if you're looking for a maximum strength supplement that will be great for hips and joints, this might be right up your alley.
Product Highlights
Each supplement contains a healthy dose of Omega-3 fatty acids, which serves as one of the perfect lubricants for a dog’s joints.
It also contains ingredients, such as krill and glucosamine, that are proven to keep joints healthy for the long term, even as your dogs get older.
With two soft chews per day, your dog will get a dose of the key ingredients that will help stop immobility.
They will move around like they never lost their puppy-like energy!
On top of its excellent joint support, the VetIQ Maximum Strength Hip and Joint Supplement also promotes better hip support and muscle strength.
Not only will you see better mobility, but also potentially stronger muscles.
The Good
We loved how the VetIQ Maximum Strength Hip and Joint Supplement focuses on more than just joints.
Even at a dog’s advanced age, 13 years old and beyond, two of these per day will definitely make mobility even better for them.
Whether they are a chihuahua or a golden retriever, the supplement will help them get their groove back.
Also, if your dog has recently undergone surgery for their hips or legs, regardless of age, this joint supplement will help fast track their mobility after the surgery.
The Bad
These are supposedly chewable, but some of them are a bit harder than others.
This may pose problems for dogs who may be dealing with dental problems in their old age.
Another common issue with the VetIQ Maximum Strength Hip and Joint Supplement is the side effects; specifically, they have been known to cause nausea and diarrhea.
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3. Nutramax Dasuquin Chewable Joint Health Supplement
Nutramax Laboratories is another manufacturer committed to ensuring your pet's wellness.
They have supplements for dental, liver, GIT, heart, urinary system, immune system, joint, behavioral, and skin health.
Dasuquin is one of their lines of products made specifically for joint health.
The Nutramax Dasuquin Chewable Joint Health Supplement has two ingredients that will make sure the last thing your dog deals with is painful joints that limit their movement.
Product Highlights
These chewable supplements are made with a patented formula to help promote healthy joints and better mobility.
One of the ingredients included in this supplement is EGCG extracted from decaffeinated green tea.
It is proven to reduce joint inflammation, which is just one of bad joints and poor mobility symptoms.
The Nutramax Dasuquin Chewable Joint Health Supplement also contains chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine.
It's suited for small or large breed dogs. Thus, no matter what breed you have, you’ll take good care of them with what could be the best dog joint supplement on the market.
The Good
Most dogs will deal with issues like arthritis and hip dysplasia, among others.
The Nutramax Dasuquin Chewable Joint Health Supplement will help increase mobility despite that.
Your dog will also live through pain-free days and enjoy going about their usual doggy duties.
Another thing we loved was that it’s fast-acting. Most users reported results in as little as three days.
You’ll be quite surprised by the sudden “burst” of energy your dog may have after they start taking these chewables!
The Bad
In some dogs, drowsiness is a possibility when taking the Nutramax Dasuquin Chewable Joint Health Supplement.
So your dog may feel tired throughout the day at times.
One other issue that we saw was that the taste wasn’t as great as some of the supplements that we have already reviewed.
As such, you may expect your dog to spit this out immediately, and getting them to take it would sometimes be a hassle.
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4. Zesty Paws Mobility Bites
Specializing in dog and cat health supplements, Zesty Paws has a lot to offer to ensure your pet's joints, immunity, behavior, GUT, skin, and hips are always in good conditions.
If great taste is a priority when it comes to supplements, we highly suggest that you try the Zesty Paws Mobility Bites.
It's by far one of the best supplements for dogs that hate bland, bad-tasting supplements.
Give them one of these chewable, and they will be excited the moment they see the package again.
Product Highlights
There are three flavors available for Zesty Paws: bacon, duck, and bison.
Each of them might be so tasty, it would be hard to choose a flavor that your dog may like.
Here’s where the Zesty Paws Mobility Bites takes it one step further. Aside from giving your dog the best joint and muscle support, this will help boost your dog’s immune system and also their heart.
Senior dogs will deal with some cardiovascular issues depending on the breed. Thus, Zesty Pawsmade sure that your best friend doesn’t deal with these common age-related issues.
This might be the closest thing to a multi-vitamin that improves the most important aspects of your dog’s health.
The Good
We loved the wide variety of flavors the Zesty Paws Mobility Bites is available in.
It’s nice for you to have options so your dog can enjoy one or even some of the other flavors.
Your dog will love to eat it along with their regular food.
We were also quite happy because the Zesty Paws Mobility Bites doesn't just focus on one single element of your dog’s health.
If you want your dog to live a long, healthier life well into their golden years, then you’d be hard-pressed to find supplements like this elsewhere.
The Bad
We didn’t like that some people might consider the Zesty Paws Mobility Bites as more of a treat.
Aside from that, it may be a bit hard to swallow for some dogs, so getting them to do so may seem like a chore.
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5. Vet’s Best Aspirin Free Aches + Pains Dog Supplement
Vet's Best Nature's Health Care has been in the industry for more than three decades, ensuring you're getting products with plant-based ingredients.
Some say aspirin does a good job for dogs when it comes to joints. However, it may be harmful to dogs without you knowing it.
Thus, switching out the NSAID with an aspirin-free supplement like the Vet’s Best Aspirin Free Aches + Pains Dog Supplement would be great.
Product Highlights
The Vet’s Best Aspirin Free Aches + Pains Dog Supplement is a chewable supplement made from natural ingredients along with MSM and glucosamine.
It’s perfect for large breed dogs and breeds known to be most active, like Australian Shepherds.
The Vet’s Best Aspirin Free Aches + Pains Dog Supplement is available in 50- or 100-count bottles.
Just one per day will help your dog’s joints become more mobile without having to deal with a lot of pain and inflammation that may be associated with arthritis, hip dysplasia, and other conditions.
The Good
What we liked about the Vet’s Best Aspirin Free Aches + Pains Dog Supplement is the average time when you might see significant results.
Most people reported seeing this happening in their dogs within the first few days of taking the supplement.
Though the results and the timing may vary, we know for sure that it’s a supplement that works.
Lesser occurrences of stiffness and limping are exactly what we love to hear.
The Bad
What we didn’t like was the interaction with aspirin. If you plan on giving this supplement specifically to your dog and it has previously taken aspirin recently, it’s better to wait and consult with your veterinarian.
As far as we know, this supplement and aspirin will have a negative effect that may lead to serious illness or potential death.
We also were made aware of some potential side effects like internal bleeding.
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Buyer’s Guide
Choosing a joint supplement for dogs can be a challenge. That is why we provide you with this buyer’s guide.
Below, we’ll look at some key features or ingredients to look out for when purchasing one.
Chondroitin
One of the two must-have ingredients you’ll want to find in joint supplements for dogs is chondroitin.
In particular, this ingredient helps manage pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
In dog breeds that are most susceptible to this, an ingredient that aims at rebuilding cartilage is essential.
Glucosamine
Dogs have natural levels of glucosamine in their bodies. As they age, they will lose plenty of it.
That can make matters worse for joints and cartilage. With enough glucosamine in one dose, it will help make up for the lacking amount that is already being produced in their body.
Overall Texture
Not all supplements will be chewy. Some of them will be harder in texture.
What you want to keep in mind is how strong your dog’s teeth and jaws are.
Ideally, you’ll want soft and chewy supplements if your dog’s teeth may not handle a lot of hardness.
Remember, some of the chewy supplements may harden over time, even in storage.
Possible Allergens
Not all dogs are the same; some of them are allergic to a certain compound or substance.
That's why it's always best to check the ingredient list to ensure it doesn't contain anything your dogs are allergic to.
Some manufacturers of the best dog joint supplement will also indicate possible allergens, so make sure you always check the label.
Flavor
If you've been a dog parent for a long time, you know for a fact that giving your dogs supplements and meds is a tedious task.
Hence, it's best to choose a joint supplement with a flavor that appeals to your dog's taste buds.
That way, you won't have a hard time giving it to your dog daily; you can even mix it with their food without them noticing it.
Brand or Manufacturer
With several brands or manufacturers producing dog supplements, it's best to consider those that have been in the industry for quite some time.
You must also look for their quality control measures, standards, focus on research, and more.
There are also manufacturers that offer guarantees for their products, indicating their confidence in their supplements.
Brands recommended by most vets and pet parents are also some of the best since you're assured they've been tried and tested.
Dog Joint Supplement FAQs
1. Do joint supplements for dogs really work?
Joint supplements do work to an extent. However, you should not consider them to be a “be all, end all” solution.
Adding regular amounts of exercise to help improve joint health is a must.
These include but are not limited to physical therapy, short and slow walks.
You should also help them maintain a healthy weight, which can mean a switch in diet.
2. Is there a joint supplement that really works?
Short answer: yes. There are a handful of supplements that do work.
Just keep in mind that you’ll want to find one with proven and effective ingredients that will work.
The review list above is a good place to start.
It’s also a good idea to consult your dog’s veterinarian for their opinions on joint supplements for dogs.
3. Can a dog get too much glucosamine and chondroitin?
It’s possible that some side effects can occur if a dog takes too much glucosamine and chondroitin.
Most of the time, the side effects will usually be digestive. Some rare cases of liver damage may also occur.
That said, as long as they have a safe dose of each regularly, they should be fine.
4. How much glucosamine and chondroitin should I give my dog?
Veterinarians recommend that your dog should get no more than 1500 mg of each per day.
This will also depend on a few factors. For example, the size of your dog may vary in terms of dosage.
If you have concerns and doubts, it might be a good idea to consider speaking with your dog’s veterinarian to know the proper dosage.
From there, you can find the best supplement that will give your dog that appropriate dose.
5. What are the side effects of glucosamine in dogs?
The side effects will vary, depending on the amount you may have given to your dog. At best, most of these side effects are mild to moderate.
If your dog is allergic to shellfish, it will likely trigger an allergic reaction since glucosamine is derived from it.
Other than that, you can expect other side effects such as insomnia and fatigue to occur.
Your dog may also need to go outdoors frequently to relieve themselves since it can trigger excess urination and possible nausea and diarrhea.
The latter side effects can occur if glucosamine is taken at considerably high doses.
On that note, there are no serious side effects that occur with high doses of glucosamine as far as we know.
Our Final Recommendations
Although the supplements above have been carefully chosen, we highly consider the Nutramax Laboratories Cosequin with MSM Chewable Tablets as the top joint supplement for dogs.
Not only is it a brand name that most vets and dog owners trust, but it is one of the supplements that deliver the best results in the quickest amount of time.
You can use this supplement regularly during your dog’s senior years, and they will maintain that improved mobility for years to come. This will be a major plus for both you and your dog.
Alternatively, we also recommend the Zesty Paws Mobility Bites. It has tasty flavors, focuses more than just joints, and is consistently chewable.
You’ll get excellent results and then some, vastly improving your dog’s overall health in the process.
Even with these supplements in your dog’s daily routine, though, you’ll want to make sure that your dog has an exercise routine and healthy diet.
