Best Joint Supplement for Dogs (Reviews of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, & MSM Chews)

As your dog gets older, his or her health needs are going to change and nutrients for aging pups are quite different. Though your dog may act like the same dog who you have always known, he or she might have to deal with some very specific aches and pains. Dogs of all sizes have to deal with joint pains, but larger dogs seem to be at even greater risk of this kind of joint pain. Regardless of your dog’s size, though, dealing with his or her joint pains is a worthwhile endeavor.

We’re here to help make sure that your dog gets everything he or she needs to have great joint health. We’ve not only found some of the best joint supplements for dogs out there, but we’ve also found the perfect places for you to buy those joint supplements. If you’re ready to help your dog avoid some awful aches and pains, you should definitely take a look at the list below to supplement their meal. 

The Best Joint Supplements For Dogs in 2021

It’s always good to take a look at more than one joint supplement for your dogs. Everything from active ingredients to flavor can make a difference in the efficacy of the joint supplements, so we’ve put together a list of several different excellent supplements. The list below will help you decide on the perfect joint supplement for your dog. 

Nutramax Cosequin Maximum Strength (DS) Plus MSM Soft Chews

If you’re going to start your search for joint health supplements, it’s usually good to start with a vet’s recommendation. Though all of the joint supplements that we discuss have a great reputation, only one of them can claim to be the supplement brand that is recommended by most veterinarians. Nutramax Cosequin DS Plus has a tremendous reputation among the medical community, making it a really good joint supplement by which to judge all of the others on the market. It might not be the perfect fit for every dog, but it is the kind of product that shows you exactly what a great glucosamine and chondroitin supplement should look like, which is precisely why we’ve chosen it as today’s best joint supplement for dogs.

It’s really possible to look at this particular product as one that ticks off the very boxes in terms of joint health and alleviating joint problems. It does a really great job of reducing joint pain, of course, but the inclusion of glucosamine and chondroitin (in the form of sodium chondroitin sulfate) also helps to promote cartilage promotion so that your dog’s joints stay healthier for longer. By adding MSM to the formulation, it also takes anti-inflammatory measures, and it has a minimum of 30% avocado/soybean unsaponifiables. The product even helps to stop joints from breaking down, which ensures less movement loss as the years go by.

This isn’t just a supplement for joint health, though. It’s also great for dogs that need a little help maintaining their skin and coats. It’s a good fit for practically any dog that’s getting a little older and might be a slowing dog, with a flavor profile that will encourage most dogs to take the joint supplement without complaint. In addition to containing vitamins and minerals for pain relief in dogs suffering from joint inflammation, these chews are quite tasty so that there’s no need to hide them in dog food. This treat really does feel like a standard by which you can judge most others. 

Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews

One of the most unfortunate truths about big dogs is that they tend to develop joint problems. They carry their weight heavily, especially as senior dogs, and over time all the jumping around and playing is going to catch up with them in ways that won’t necessarily catch up with smaller dogs. Though most of the joint supplements on this list do a very solid job of helping dogs of all sizes, it is good to know that you’re giving your dog supplements made specifically for joint care and pain relief in large breed dogs. If you have a dog over sixty pounds, this might be the supplement for which you have been looking. 

This joint supplement for dogs boasts a comprehensive joint management formula including glucosamine hydrochloride and sodium chondroitin sulfate. For laymen, that means that the supplement contains all of the active ingredients that are not only meant to help relieve your dog’s joint pains and related joint problems, but that is meant to help ensure that your dog’s joint health will be maintained as long as possible. When it comes to glucosamine for dogs, there’s clearly no such thing as a supplement that can completely stop joint deterioration but this one feels like it does as much as possible to ensure that your pet can keep moving around without being in pain thanks to the inclusion of MSM for anti-inflammatory purposes.

Though it’s a supplement for large dogs, this supplement in the form of chewable tablets also feels like a reward for your dog after a long day. Designed as a soft chew, these tablets are easy to administer. It’s a lot like the training treats that you probably used with your dog when he or she was younger. The design makes it easier for dogs to get excited about taking the joint supplement, which in turn makes it easier for you to take care of your dog’s joint health. This is a great way to keep your big dog healthy and happy for years to come. 

Zesty Paws Mobility Bites Hip & Joint Support Duck Flavor Chews

One of the most common reasons to start looking at pet supplements as our dogs get older is arthritis. It can be very tough to see your canine companion start to have trouble getting up in the morning and it is even harder to watch him or she has trouble doing the things that he or she loved to do during the day. If you’ve got a pet with arthritis, it’s usually best to pick out a hip and joint supplement that’s designed for just that kind of condition. These Mobility Bites from Zesty Paws can go a long way towards helping your four-legged friend move around a little easier when they need joint pain relief. 

There are a few major things that a hip and joint supplement can do to help make arthritis and similar conditions a little easier on your dog. The first is focusing specifically on hip and joint health, as these are the areas that tend to get hit hardest by this condition. The other is focusing just as much on restoration as it does on prevention, as your dog will need a little extra help to regain any of the spring in his or her step. Fortunately, the mix of the active ingredients in this product from Zesty Paws – particularly the levels of glucosamine – managed to do just that. The list of high-grade ingredients is packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin E, glucosamine, chondroitin, and other that will help reduce pain and inflammation for your pet.

Despite the fact that it’s full of things that are actually good for your pet, most dogs love this joint supplement. It is designed with a natural duck flavor that makes it feel more like a treat, so your dog will rarely fight you when it is time for the supplement. Regularly taking the supplement makes it easier for it to work, so your dog will get a chance to eat something that he or she enjoys while still getting the extra hip and joint support that he or she needs. Arthritis can be rough on dogs but this supplement can make your dog’s life a little bit easier. 

PetNC Natural Care Hip & Joint Mobility Support Soft Chews

Supplements aren’t just for dogs who are sick. While many think about supplements as tools to use when their dogs aren’t able to move around, the truth is that it’s often best to start them early. Good supplements are excellent for older dogs who are starting to lose a step as well as for dogs who have always been active and who have put a lot of stress on their joints. If you’re looking for a product that’s going to help your oet stay active no matter his or her age, this might be the right joint supplement for you to start with.

One of the best things about this joint supplement is that it feels like it was designed for real dogs. So many supplements seem like medication, which is fine but it means that you have to take extra steps to get your dogs to take the pill. This one is designed like a treat, albeit one that’s going to go a long way towards keeping your dog’s joints healthy. This is a great choice for canine athletes who might experience joint damage due to their more active lifestyles as it includes hyaluronic acid, especially as they start to get older and start having more trouble running around. 

In addition to protecting your dog’s joints, this supplement also goes out of its way to make sure that your dog’s bones are healthy. The extra active ingredients here such as glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid are really designed to promote good bone health, a nice extra feature for those dog owners who are concerned about active or aging senior dogs. This really does feel like the kind of product that is not only meant for virtually any dog that is getting older, but that is particularly geared towards those dogs who have lived very active lifestyles and need a little bit of extra help keeping their mobility where it was at the peak of their careers. 

VetriScience GlycoFlex Stage III Ultimate Strength Joint Support Bite-Sized Dog Chews

Sometimes you just want to make sure that your dog gets the right joint support as he or she goes through the various stages of life. Depending on your dog’s health and lifestyle, joint pain can start to be an issue either during his or her adult years or as he or she enters his or her twilight years. If you’re looking for something that’s going to help your dog no matter what phase of life that he or she is in, you’ll definitely want to take a look at this excellent product from GlycoFlex. It’s a proven winner when it comes to helping restore your dog’s leg strength.

Yes, strength matters when it comes to helping your dog’s joints. Strong hind legs help to take some of the pressure off of your dog’s joints and make it easier for him or her to walk around. A fair number of the different active ingredients in this dog supplement are geared towards making sure that your dog not only builds up connective tissue but that he or she can regain leg strength. In fact, this supplement honestly boasts that it can increase your dog’s hind leg strength by up to forty-one percent in around four weeks. 

Strength is good, but many pet owners are just as worried about basic dog joint health. This supplement really is designed to make sure that your dog receives all of the support he or she needs to stay healthy in that regard. A good choice for older dogs and working dogs, this supplement also excels when it comes to recovery after surgery. This is a product that really feels designed for dogs in all stages of their lives, whether the goal is to assuage some of those pains that come with old age or to help a younger dog stay on the right path. 

PetHonesty Hemp Mobility Snacks

Hemp has become something of a major fad in the human health world. Now that’s it has largely been legalized in the United States, people have begun to accept that hemp has some very valid medical uses. Just as millions of people are using hemp oil and hemp-derived products for their own joint and muscle health, so too are many pet owners choosing similar products for their animals – and it’s no surprise that it’s made it’s way to products that contain glucosamine, MSM, green-lipped mussel, and turmeric. If you’re interested in trying something that’s a little off the beaten path, you might want to take a look at this excellent hemp-based supplement. It’s one of the best, natural ways to help ensure that your dog stays mobile and joint pain-free. 

The main natural ingredients here are hemp seed and hemp oil, both products that have been proven to reduce inflammation and swelling in dogs. This is a fantastic fit for those older animals who are starting to experience joint pain, as the supplements can attack the root cause of the problem. Coated with an all-natural duck flavor, there’s likely no need to mix this in with dog food when you’re trying to ease your dogs suffering from joint inflammation or pain. The supplements feel like a treat to most dogs and they work fairly quickly to help reduce joint pain. This isn’t quite a miracle product, but it does do a very good job of giving your dog a little bit of his or her mobility back.

In fact, mobility really seems to be the key goal with this treat. In addition to the hemp derivatives, there are also a number of other natural ingredients that are meant to help make sure that your dog can stay on the move even as he or she ages. These ingredients help to support cartilage growth and connective tissue help, make it easier for your dog to run and walk around. If you are interested in seeing what an all-natural solution can do for your dog and you’re comfortable with using hemp-based products, this supplement might be the best fit for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I give my dog joint supplements?

If your dog is experiencing any kind of joint pain or joint damage, giving him or her joint supplements is usually going to be best. You should absolutely make sure that you are giving your dog the right kind of supplements for his or her age or size, of course, and make sure that the joint supplements address the type of joint problems you are trying to solve. If you know what your pet needs, though, giving him or her joint supplements is typically going to be the right move. 

Do joint supplements for dogs really work?

Yes, good dog supplements really work. They’re designed by nutritionists and vets to ensure that dogs are able to stay mobile for longer and the vast majority of them are proven by research studies to have at least some degree of efficacy. The biggest cause of these supplements not working has little to do with what’s in them and a lot more to do with the dogs in question. If you don’t give your dog the right kind of supplement, it’s hard to ensure that they’re going to see any kind of benefit.

Always check to make sure you know why your pet needs a supplement before buying one. One tell-tale sign is if they are experiencing slowed or reduced mobility. This will help you to find something with the right natural ingredients to help with your dog’s joint problems. The more targeted the supplement, the better the results will likely be. It’s also smart to remember that a bad experience with one supplement does not guarantee that you’ll have the same kind of experience with a better supplement. 

What are joint supplements for dogs and how do they work?

Joint supplements for dogs are a lot like joint supplements for people. They are packages of vitamins, minerals, and other natural ingredients that are meant to help improve joint health. They work in a variety of different ways depending on the brand and the ingredients, but they all have an end goal of ensuring that your dog keeps his or her mobility as long as possible.

Some joint supplements work by reducing inflammation in the joints. This reduces the joint pain caused by issues like arthritis and makes it easier for your pet to stay moving. Other joint supplements help to repair damaged cartilage and to build health cartilage, which helps to keep your dog’s joints working properly. Either type can be helpful depending on your dog’s needs. 

What are the best supplements for dog joint health?

Figuring out the best supplements for dog joint health isn’t as easy as many assume. There are some absolutely wonderful products on the market right now, but not all of them are going to work the same way for every dog. Instead of looking for a single product that’s the best for all dogs, you need to be on the lookout for products that are going to work the best for your pet.

Try to take a look at the ingredients, the efficacy, and the reputation of a supplement before you pick it up. This will give you a better idea of whether or not it’s going to work for your dog and whether or not it’s going to be the kind of supplement that you will want to keep using. 

Best Joint Supplements for Dogs Buying Guide

What kind of supplement does your dog actually need? This is a tougher question than you might think, even if you’ve already seen a list of some of the best supplements that are on the market right now. Instead of just looking at the recommendations, you should dig a little deeper to figure out what kind of supplements are going to work the best for your dog. Below is a brief buying guide that will help you know what to look for when you start searching for the perfect supplement. Keep in mind that if you hold an insurance policy for your dog, certain preventative care measures may be covered.

Target

The first thing to look for in a joint supplement is the target of the supplement itself. In short, you want to figure out exactly what the supplement is going to do to help your dog. Some supplements are among the best choices for rebuilding and repairing cartilage, leading to better overall joint health. Other supplements focus on inflammation, helping to reduce the impacts of arthritis. There are even types of supplements that focus on building up muscle so that your pet will strain its joints less often.

The goal should always be to find a supplement with the primary purpose of solving your dog’s most pressing joint problems. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t find something that does it all, but don’t buy any supplement that won’t solve the immediate cause of your dog’s distress. A long-term plan for your dog’s health is always best, but you need to find something that’s also going to help in the short term if you want your dog to stay happy and healthy. 

Ingredients

Looking at the active ingredients in a supplement is always best. Though the average dog owner isn’t a nutritionist, a little detective work on the internet can tell you what every ingredient in a given supplement is meant to do. Researching what’s in the supplement is a good way to make sure that you know what the supplement is supposed to do and whether or not you can count on it to accomplish its goals.

Owners of dogs with allergies should also pay careful attention to ingredient lists. Though most supplements are not going to contain common allergens like grain, some of them can upset the stomachs of dogs who have a rough time with specific kinds of protein. Always make sure that you take a look at every ingredient in the supplement to make sure that you aren’t going to be treating your dog’s joint pain at the expense of his or her coat or digestive system. Incredients such as glucosamine, msm, chondroitin (often in the form of sodium chondroitin sulfate), and hyaluronic acid are all compounds that won’t be too foreign in joint supplements for dogs.

Restrictions

Always keep your individual dog’s health in mind when you are looking at supplements. While supplements are always designed to be healthy for dogs, not every supplement is the right fit for every pet. One of the most important things to look at is size restrictions. Though buying a supplement that’s meant for a small dog probably won’t hurt a big dog, it’s probably not going to going to be very effective. Supplements made for bigger dogs can, however, have a negative impact on smaller dogs because the supplements may have too much of a given vitamin or mineral for the dog’s body.

Likewise, it’s best to try to keep a keen eye on the restrictions that are related to age and make sure that they get their required nutrients. You probably don’t want to give a puppy the kind of supplements that a senior gets, after all, especially since the former is more likely to get preventative ingredients and the latter might need things that speak to more specific needs. Try to make sure the supplements you choose are actually meant for your dog’s age and breed. 

Shape/Size

Yes, even the shape and size of a supplement are going to play a role in whether or not it is the right fit for your dog. While some might think of this merely a function of the size of the dog, in truth it has a lot more to do with how picky your dog might be and whether nor not your pet is the kind of animal who will willingly take a pill. This is something that’s going to vary significantly even within a breed, so think about what your dog is going to take.

The best choices are usually those supplements that are a lot like a treat. Look for something that your dog can chew easily and that has the right flavor so that he or she will be happy to take the supplement whenever he or she sees it. If you’re able to find something that your pet actually likes, you won’t have to face the usual issues that come with trying to give your dog something that is out of the ordinary. 

Additional Features

Finally, make sure that you look at the additional features that are available in each type of supplement. In most cases, this comes in the form of extra vitamins, minerals, or omega-3 fatty acids that are included to do a job other than the primary job for which you are searching. Many supplements that help with joint health, for example, also have omega-3 fatty acids or other ingredients that might help with your dog’s coat health or his or her digestive health. MSM is an additive that can help alleviate inflammation, and hyaluronic acid can help promote proper joint lubrication. Hyaluronic acid, in particular, has become more popular lately. These features are extras, sure, but they’re often good to have.

As a rule, it’s your primary goal that needs to be met first before you can think about extras. If you are not sure that the joint supplement is going to help your pet with his or her primary needs, all of the secondary ingredients can be safely set aside. Once you find something that helps with the big problem, though, addressing the little joint problems can become just a bit easier. CBD oil for dogs and probiotics can help also with you dog’s health, and they can be other great additions to their regimen.