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Best Joint Supplements for Dogs 2024
Written by Kevin Hughes
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/25/2024, edited: 03/25/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Joint problems are, sadly, a common occurrence in dogs. Think about the lifestyle of an active dog; running around, jumping, chasing a ball, generally bouncing around happily — these kinds of energetic activities can eventually take their toll on your dog and lead to joint issues, particularly later in life.
Over the years, the joints in your dog’s legs, hips and knees are put under quite a bit of pressure. Though dogs are, by nature, stoic and don’t always show signs of pain or make much of a fuss, the symptoms of a joint problem are usually easy to identify.
You might see your dog limping or struggling to walk; he or she may seem reluctant to climb stairs or hop onto a bed for a cuddle. They can lose interest in exercising, or show a lack of movement and general stiffness after a walk.
A common cause for joint problems is arthritis, which affects many dogs and especially those in their senior years. But it’s not always older age and years of wear and tear that lead to joint problems. Sometimes an injury such as a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) results in joint issues.
While there are things you can do to try to prevent joint problems in dogs — maintaining a healthy weight and switching to a low fat dog food can help — a lot of the time, it’s unavoidable and really not the fault of anyone. Even so, if your dog is struggling, they’ll need some extra help.
Giving your pup a joint supplement can ease some of the symptoms, reducing the inflammation and soreness they might be feeling and improving movement. There are lots of supplements available — here, we feature some of the best joint supplements for dogs. Before buying any for your dog, though, you should always consult your vet first.
Overview
Pet Honesty Hip + Joint Health Chews
Pet Honesty produces a range of supplements to help improve the health of dogs — including Allergy and Skin, Anxiety and Calm, Digestion and Urinary, and Coat Health.
Its Hip and Joint range include a few different supplements, including a Max Strength formula and some targeted specifically for older pups; welcome news if you’re looking for the best joint supplement for senior dogs.
These soft chews come in a choice of flavors — for dogs who don’t like the taste of chicken, there’s a bacon option.
Pet Honesty say their supplements are made with clean, natural ingredients, so if you’re concerned about what you’re giving your dog, this should ease some worries.
Hip and Joint Health includes glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as turmeric, which can help to reduce inflammation and muscle soreness.
Results seem impressive. According to a survey from Pet Honesty, 84% of pet parents noticed a difference in their dog’s mobility after four weeks of taking the supplements.
Pet Honesty Hip + Joint Health Chews
Why Wag! Loves It!
- Choice of flavors
- Vet approved
- Natural ingredients
Considerations & Concerns
- Some reviewers have reported that their dogs refused to take the supplements
- Some reviewers have commented on the strong smell of the chews
What Pet Parents Say About PetHonesty Advanced Hip + Joint
“Our senior dog was starting to have shaken legs and just wasn’t as active. By the end of the second jar of these she has her energy back. Her legs rarely shake and quiver. She’s like her old self. I’m so glad we tried this!”
“My 12 year old dachshund has had excellent results!!! Now able to go up and down steps and able to keep up with our younger dogs on (walks) !!!”
“I have a 10 yr old Maltese terrier mix and she began not being able to go up the stairs, jump into the couch or bed, or jump when she gets excited for walks and no zoomies.
We started her on one a day crushed up in her food and I swear she got a second act!! She now jumps higher than ever and gets the zoomies again! Very happy with this product.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
Nutramax Cosequin Maximum Strength
Nutramax Laboratories has been creating products to support animal health since 1992, and not just pets, either.
In addition to products for dogs, cats and horses, Nutramax also has supplements for people, too — any pet parents living with joint pain may wish to take a look.
Nutramax’s joint supplements for dogs are available with either Cosequin or Dasuquin as the main active ingredient; both help to support the cartilage in joints.
Here, we’ve picked out Nutramax Cosequin Maximum Strength Plus MSM, primarily because of its overwhelmingly positive reviews on Chewy.
It’s a big hit with pet parents, many of whom have reported fast improvements in their dog’s mobility.
Available in chewable tablet form, active ingredients include glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), all of which can be effective in managing osteoarthritis.
With quantities of 60, 132, 250 and 500 tablets all available, pet parents can plan dosage according to breed size/weight (larger dogs will need more tablets a day, at least initially).
Nutramax Cosequin Maximum Strength
Why Wag! Loves It!
- Veterinarian formulated
- Suitable for all breed sizes
- Made in the USA
Considerations & Concerns
- Some reviews said the tablets weren’t soft and chewable — so not easy for some dogs to digest
- A small proportion of reviewers reported diarrhea as a side effect
What Pet Parents Say About Nutramax Cosequin Maximum Strength
“My dog suddenly started avoiding jumping up in the car and into bed with us like she normally would. My mom had Cosequin for her dog that she gave me to try out and within a week my dog was back to acting like normal.
I’ve never seen a supplement for human or animal work so well. On the second bottle with her now and plan to take a break after to see if it will hold and not be a for-life need (she’s only 4)”
“Our pittie/terrier mix is about 8/9 years old, and we just adopted a wild little guy to be her friend. She was so excited to play, but it was clear that she couldn't go for long. She stopped jumping up on the couch or bed, she stopped running. I started her on some joint chews a friend gave me, and they seemed to help, but I was running out.
So I thought I'd try these! It was like night and day, these work SO much better. I also added an omega-3 chew to her diet, so I'm sure that's helping too. But she loves gobbling them up. She's a picky eater, so I was nervous. I'll definitely continue to buy these.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
Fera Pet Organics Hip & Joint Soft Chews
Fera Pet Organics was co-founded by a veterinarian, Michelle Dulake, DVM, who wasn’t satisfied with the choice of supplements available, citing ‘big corporations producing less than mediocre formulas’.
As such, Fera’s supplements focus on ‘high quality ingredients, correctly dosages and a combination of Eastern and Western medicines’.
That expertise and passion means we’re happy to include one of Fera’s products in our shortlist of the best joint supplement for dogs.
The Hip & Joint Soft Chew supplements from Fera offer a combination of several ingredients to support joint health and function: glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, organic turmeric, methylsulfonylmethane, green lipped mussel (choice of omega-3), yucca, and fish oil.
As with other supplements, Fera Pet Organics Hip & Joint Soft Chew has been approved by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). They’re chicken-flavored — in fact, they’re made with real chicken liver.
Fera Pet Organics Hip & Joint Soft Chews
Why Wag! Loves It!
- Fera was co-founded by a veterinarian
- Combination of several active ingredients
- Tested by in-house canine ‘chief tasting officers’
Considerations & Concerns
- Made with real chicken — if your dog has a chicken allergy or doesn’t like it, there’s no other option
What Pet Parents Say About Fera Pet Organics Hip & Joint
“Finding a good hip + joint supplement in a chew form that my dogs will actually eat has been really difficult for me. My dogs are pretty picky but upon opening the container, they both stick their noses in ready to take their supplements.
Finding an effective solution to aid my dog’s joint support and overall mobility in the long run has been helped by these chews. It took me a little over 2 weeks to see results in my older senior pup. Overall we highly recommend (it)!”
“My dog is almost 6 years old and enjoys an active lifestyle. I make sure his joints stay healthy so he can run and play as long as possible.
I chose Fera Pet Organics because his vet had recommended their probiotics. I got great results using their probiotics so I decided to try their hip & joint chews. I add this chew on his breakfast daily and I've noticed an improvement as he no longer limps when he plays fetch or does a long hike.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
Zesty Paws Vet Strength Hip & Joint Chews
You’ll discover an extensive choice of hip and joint supplements from fun-sounding Zesty Paws.
How extensive? Well, there are almost 15 various supplements available, including those formulated for senior dogs and even one for puppies, too.
From this impressive collection, we’ve highlighted Zesty Paws’ Vet Strength Hip & Joint Soft Chews as one of our best hip and joint supplements for dogs.
As the title suggests, it’s a veterinary-formulated supplement which, Zesty Paws claims, features the most advanced formula in its range.
As well as glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid, the active ingredient list also includes BiovaPlex® (eggshell membrane) and OptiMSM® (methylsulfonylmethane).
This soft chew supplement is designed to not only maintain the health of joints, but provide cartilage support and aid muscle recovery.
There are 90 chews in each box; the flavor is beef and bacon, which should hopefully be appealing to your pup.
Zesty Paws Vet Strength Hip & Joint Chews
Why Wag! Loves It!
- Veterinary formulated
- Strongest formula in the Zesty Paws range
- Tasty beef and bacon flavor
Considerations & Concerns
- Some reviewers say the tablets are too hard for their dog to chew
- Some picky dogs may not eat them
What Pet Parents Say About Zesty Paws Vet Strength Hip & Joint Soft Chews
"My sweet 10 year old Buddy has started showing hip and joint issues. The Zesty Paws brand is one I've tried before and liked. I will say they don't smell the best but Buddy ate them with no issues.
He has shown a difference in the fact that getting up on the couch doesn't seem to be as hard for him as it once was."
"Jazz and Fritz are 15-year-old dachshunds with joint and mobility issues. I have been giving them glucosamine and chondroitin pills. I switched to Zesty Paws Vet Strength Mobility Hip & Joint Supplement when I got a chance to try them free.
I prefer Zesty Paws to the other supplements I was giving my dogs. I have seen an improvement in their ability to move around the house and yard. Both dogs have teeth problems. These supplements are soft, so they are easy for Jazz and Fritz to eat. They love the taste."
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
Missing Link Hip & Joint Powder Supplement
The next recommendation for the best joint supplement for dogs is different to most others on this page.
Instead of coming in soft chewable tablet format, it’s a powder which can be added to your dog’s food.
Founded and launched in the 1990s by veterinarian Dr Robert Collette, Missing Link also produces other health supplements, targeted at improving skin and coat, and digestion issues.
There’s some powerful active ingredients in this powder, including those seen in other joint supplements — glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid, together with fatty acids (omega 3 and 6) and fiber.
With freeze dried beef liver and ground beef bone among the ingredients, this powder has a meaty taste and flavor that dogs should enjoy.
It’s available in three different sizes of bag — 8-oz, 1lb and 5lb.
Missing Link Hip & Joint Powder Supplement
Why Wag! Loves It!
- Founded by a vet
- Provides a different option to tablet supplements
Considerations & Concerns
- It’s high in fiber, so pet parents need to follow the dosage instructions carefully and build up the amount added to food
- Needs to be kept in the fridge once opened, so make sure you have the storage space
- Relatively expensive compared to other options, with the 5lb bag priced around $77
What Pet Parents Say About Missing Link Hip & Joint Powder Supplement
“My little buddy’s hips are getting stiff and he seems uncomfortable like achy pain. I take inflammation and mobility supplements which help me, so I’ve been looking for a comprehensive dog supplement that’s affordable.
After scouring ingredients, this seems to be the best bang for the buck. A teaspoon of powder 2x a day in food, noticeable improvement in mobility and comfort after a few weeks.”
“I have known about Missing Link products since I joined the greyhound world about 14 years ago. I started using the Hip & Joint powder for my greys and have found it to be very effective. Much more so than other products.
One of my current girls has a touch of arthritis in her wrist. After starting her on this, I see no more signs of it and she races around the yard like a crazy girl. Highly recommend this product.”
“My oldest dog is 14 and (is) having more arthritis in her hips. I've been using this product for the last two months and seen (a) really significant improvement in her mobility!”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
VetIQ Hip & Joint Chews
VetIQ makes a range of products for canine health, including skin and coat, and dental treats.
Its Hip and Joint Soft Chew Joint Supplement ingredient mix includes 600mg of glucosamine, 210mg of MSM and 210 of krill — a type of fish oil that’s a source of omega 3 — in every serving.
This combination helps to lubricate joints that have become stiff, and can support cartilage function.
Suitable for all breed sizes, they are chicken-flavored, and also include pork gelatin. The price positions this towards the budget end of the scale, so if you’re looking for the best hip and joint supplement for dogs at a more affordable level, this is worthy of consideration.
Available in packs of either 60 or 180 tablets, the larger bag retails at around $22 from Chewy.
VetIQ Hip & Joint Soft Chew Joint Chews
Why Wag! Loves It!
- Recommended by vets
- Made in the USA
- Affordable price compared to some competitors
Considerations & Concerns
- Some reviews note that their dogs have found the tablets hard to chew
- Only available in chicken flavor, which could be a problem for some dogs
What Pet Parents Say About VetIQ Hip and Joint
“My dog absolutely loves these soft chews. She seems a bit more active as I believe it to be alleviating any issue she may have been experiencing. She also enjoys them and when she hears the bag or I call her from them she is genuinely excited.”
“My dog Finley is a 9yr old King Charles spaniel mix rescue I adopted 2 yrs ago. He’s been getting these chews daily since I brought him home. Finley loves these!!!
Wags his tail every time he receives them. He has had no issues with joints or any pain. Runs like the wind, very playful, jumps without any difficulty. Never cried out or limps. Tried other similar products the first month he can home but he only likes these.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
FAQ
How do I know if my dog needs a joint supplement?
Are joint supplements safe to give to my dog?