The best joint supplements for dogs include liquids and chewables that relieve pain from arthritis. We made our top picks with advice from veterinarians.
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However, not all joint supplements are equal, and research on which ingredients provide the biggest benefits is quite limited. One compound we know can help relieve joint pain in dogs is marine-based omega-3 fatty acids, says Duncan Lascelles, director of the Comparative Pain Research and Education Centre at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
After speaking with Miscioscia and Lascelles about dog joint pain and potentially supportive ingredients, we researched dozens of supplements to make our selections for this guide. Our top pick, Pet Honesty Wild Caught Omega-3 Fish Oil, is made with four marine-based fish oils and has been third-party tested for potency and safety. We also rounded up more of the best joint supplements for dogs, including chews, treats, and powder.
If your dog shows signs of joint pain from arthritis, an injury, or an unknown condition, the first step is to speak with your veterinarian. And before you purchase any supplement, we recommend asking your vet if it's the right choice for your dog's unique needs.
Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.
Best overall: Pet Honesty Wild Caught Omega-3 Fish Oil - See at Chewy
Best chews: Vetoquinol Flexadin Advanced with UC-II Chews for Cats and Dogs - See at Chewy
Best tablets: NaturVet Glucosamine DS Plus Moderate Joint Care Chewable Tabs - See at Chewy
Best treats: NaturVet ArthriSoothe-Gold Advanced Joint Care Soft Chews - See at Chewy
Best powder: Wholistic Pet Organics Joint Mobility GLM + Enhanced Multivitamin - See at Chewy
"Looking at real dogs who are seeing a real benefit in joint pain relief, it's coming from omega-3 fatty acids, namely in marine-based oils," says Lascelles. Indeed, studies show anti-inflammatory omega-3 supplements deliver the most pain relief to osteoarthritic dogs compared to other active ingredients. Miscioscia says fish oil is most effective when incorporated into dog food or as a meal topper.
We like Pet Honesty Wild Caught Omega-3 Fish Oil, as it's a clean formula of just omega-3 fish oil developed from four marine-based sources: sardine, anchovy, mackerel, and herring oil. It's our top pick for the best fish oils for dogs because of it checks off so many boxes. It is naturally purified to remove the fishy smell and taste that puts some dogs and people off. It's also NASC-certified and independently tested by ConsumerLab to confirm potency, purity, and lack of mercury.
Fish oil is safe for all dogs, but Lascelles says too high of a dose, too quickly, can give your pup diarrhea, so introduce it to their diet slowly. It also comes with significant calories (41 kcal/teaspoon). Considering a healthy weight is "by far the most important factor in managing arthritis," according to Miscioscia. You'll want to check with your vet about how to dose your dog to ensure they get the right balance of calories and nutrients.
As with all fish oils, this bottle needs to be stored in the refrigerator and used within 30 to 45 days of opening, so opt for the smaller bottle for a smaller dog.
Flexadin Advanced with UC-II Chews contain undenatured-type II collagen (UC-II), which Miscioscia says helps reduce joint inflammation and potentially contributes to rebuilding part of joint cartilage. In fact, a 2007 study found UC-II helps decrease osteoarthritis symptoms, improve the lameness associated with joint pain, and increase physical activity and mobility.
The chews also contain vitamin E, which may provide anti-inflammatory benefits, and omega-3 fatty acids, though at lower doses than you'll find in our best overall supplement. The omega-3s are derived from a combination of fish oil and flaxseed oil, which science says isn't as beneficial against inflammation for some dog breeds.
At one chew a day for dogs and cats of all sizes and ages, they are easy to give, especially in a multi-species household.
If your dog is a picky eater, a chewable tablet broken up into food or slipped inside a pill pocket may be your best bet to get them joint relief.
NaturVet Moderate Care Glucosamine DS tablets are one of the best joint supplements for dogs. They are made with various active ingredients, namely glucosamine and chondroitin. While current research says these two compounds don't actually do much to help canine joint pain, it's still one of the most recommended active ingredients for joint health supplements, and experts say it requires further study. Miscioscia says it might help: "Glucosamine and chondroitin are the building blocks for part of what makes up joint cartilage and thus may help build up part of joint cartilage that is destroyed due to arthritis."
We like that NaturVet Moderate Care Glucosamine DS tablets offer the possible benefit of glucosamine and chondroitin alongside the anti-inflammatory benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. These tablets also contain vitamin C, well-known to help with collagen production; vitamin E, an antioxidant that may help reduce inflammation; and yucca, which has been shown to help reduce intestinal gas and smelly feces.
If you prefer to give your dog anti-inflammatory supplements as treats or in small amounts throughout the day, the NaturVet Advanced Care ArthriSoothe-Gold Level 3 Soft Chews are one of the best choices.
These soft chews offer pretty much every ingredient that science says does or might help with joint pain, including omega 3-rich green-lipped mussels, glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, and Boswellia, which is the gum resin of the frankincense tree that some studies have shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. NaturVet is a highly trusted brand, and the chews have the NASC seal and have been independently tested by ConsumerLab for quality, potency, and purity.
Most dogs like the flavor, though they have a strong rosemary smell out of the container. Their main downside: They're pricey, especially if you're giving them to larger dogs.
Some dogs do best with a small amount of powder that you can mix into their food. Wholistic Pet Organics Joint Mobility GLM + Enhanced Multivitamin is a powder with 749 mg of total omega-3 fatty acids from fish, green lipped mussel, and flaxseed. Glucosamine and MSM may add joint-supporting benefits as well.
This powder supplement is made with non-GMO ingredients and contains vitamin C to aid collagen production. Added prebiotics and probiotics support healthy digestion, which you can learn more about in our guide to the best probiotics for dogs.
Because this comes in powder form, it's very easy to measure the recommended amount for your dog's daily dose. The directions recommend evenly dividing the daily dosage among meals. The portions are so small — from 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons — many dogs will not notice it.
Just like human supplements, dog supplements aren't regulated by the FDA, so there's no inherent assurance that what you're buying is indeed high quality or effective, both our experts agree. Because of this, there are a few important factors to consider when purchasing a dog joint supplement:
Active ingredients: The one ingredient most research shows definitely helps relieve joint pain in dogs is marine-sourced omega-3 fatty acids, which Lascelles says help reduce inflammation and, therefore, pain. Plant-based fatty acids like flaxseed aren't going to be as effective. Miscioscia says there's some evidence to support undenatured-type II collagen (UC-II) and CBD. Other ingredients that Miscioscia says show promise for arthritic dogs but need more research include avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASUs), curcumin (turmeric), Boswellia serrata, eggshell membrane, astaxanthin, and fortetropin (myostatin-inhibitors).
Third-party testing: Independent testing of supplements is crucial since there is no governmental oversight to verify what the label says matches what's in the formula. The NASC seal is the most important third-party testing to look out for, says Miscioscia. It comes from the National Animal Supplement Council, a coalition focused on promoting safer animal supplements. It's also good to look for independent testing by ConsumerLab, an independent lab that tests supplements and health foods and beverages for purity, strength, disintegration, and brand integrity.
Quality seal: Look for the NASC seal from the National Animal Supplement Council, which indicates that manufacturers have passed an independent third-party audit, met criteria on quality control in manufacturing, and passed random product testing to ensure the ingredients meet the label claims.
Your veterinarian's seal of approval: Our experts say you should run any dog joint supplement you're considering by your veterinarian first since they know your dog's full health history best.
Dosage level: The right amount of any supplement to give your dog depends entirely on the ingredients in the formula and, usually, your dog's size. While the recommended dosage is provided on the supplement's packaging, you should always ask your veterinarian to advise on the appropriate dosage for your pet.
Price: A higher price does not always correlate with a higher-quality product. You can find high-quality, effective dog joint supplements for as little as $.50 per serving.
Calories: Miscioscia says a healthy weight is the most important factor in managing arthritis. However, many chews, treats, and omega-3 supplements are high in calories. If your dog is overweight, that doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't give them a supplement, but you should talk with your vet about adjusting your dog's overall calorie intake.
Health restrictions: If your dog has food allergies, check the flavoring ingredients in the joint chews, treats, and powders, says Miscioscia. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) as well as too much fish oil at once can give dogs upset stomachs or diarrhea. Also, if your dog is on blood thinners, you should avoid anything with MSM or large amounts of vitamin E.
First, we spoke with experts who specialize in pain and mobility to determine what active ingredients may help with different kinds of joint pain. Dr. Erin Miscioscia is a clinical assistant professor of integrative and mobility medicine at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine who studies canine sports medicine and rehabilitation, integrative medicine, and small animal clinical nutrition. She is also a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Duncan Lascelles studies pain in small animals as director of the Comparative Pain Research and Education Centre at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Based on their insights, we evaluated popular joint supplements according to their ingredients, quality seals, and third-party testing. We then compared prices to determine their overall value.
Yes, joint supplements can help. Miscioscia says the right supplement can be a very effective part of pain relief for dogs with arthritis and joint pain.
In theory, yes, but most supplements take two to three months to start being effective, says Miscioscia. If your dog strains a muscle and you start them on a marine-based omega-3 fatty acid supplement, it likely won't affect their immediate inflammation or pain. But if your dog is already taking that type of supplement, Miscioscia says it may help lower the acute inflammation. In some cases, she says a strain or sprain injury to muscle, tendon, or ligament can contribute to future joint instability or arthritis, in which case starting the supplement can be helpful for prevention.
Research shows the best joint supplements for dogs contain marine-based omega-3 fatty acids. Our top pick is Pet Honesty Wild Caught Omega-3 Fish Oil, which is made with four types of marine-based fish oils, has been tested by third parties for potency and safety, and is affordably priced.
Cosequin and Dasuquin are two popular supplements made by Nutramax Laboratories. Both brands have a few different formulations, from chews to chewable tablets, each with slightly different formulas. The majority of joint supplements from both brands rely on glucosamine and sodium chondroitin sulfate, which science shows likely doesn't do much for joint health. But Cosequin Maximum Strength with MSM Plus Omega-3 Soft Chews, specifically, also contain omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources, which research shows is the best compound to alleviate pain in arthritic dogs.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are nearly always found together in formulas, and neither is better. In fact, research shows glucosamine and chondroitin likely don't help much with dog joint pain. However, omega-3 fatty acids do.
