Joint health is extremely important for our canines to live long and happy lives. After all, functioning joints are what let our dogs move and run freely without pain or stiffness. Sometimes though, our beloved pets need a little extra boost to keep their joints healthy and functioning as best as they can. Joints can become stiff or painful, and suddenly your once hyperactive, fun-loving dog is spending more and more time laying around. Joint supplements can help provide the boost dogs need to get back to their active selves.
We reviewed dozens of joint supplements for dogs to discover which ones were the best of the best. We judged each supplement based on ingredients, certification, Customer reviews, and cost, to name a few. In the end, we narrowed our search down to the 5 best joint supplements for dogs on the market.
This range of third-party tested and veterinarian-formulated organic hemp oils will help to ease your dog’s painful joints.
The Anxious Pet Organic Hemp Oils stood out as the clear winner. With high-quality ingredients and plenty of positive customer reviews, it wasn’t a difficult choice to make these veterinarian-formulated hemp oils our #1 recommendation.
The 5 Top-Rated Joint Supplements for Dogs
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Joint Supplements for Dogs Overall | The Anxious Pet Organic Hemp Oils | 4.8 |
| Best Joint Supplements with MSM for Dogs | Nutramax Cosequin DS Plus with MSM Chewable Tablets | 4.7 |
| Best Budget Buy | PetNC Natural Care Hip & Joint Soft Chews | 4.4 |
| Best Glucosamine | ProSense Advanced Strength Glucosamine Chew Tablets for Dogs | 4.6 |
| Best All-Natural | Infinite Pet Supplements’ All-Natural Hip & Joint Supplement |
4.3 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Joint Supplements for Dogs Overall: The Anxious Pet Organic Hemp Oils
After a 100% natural remedy that can provide considerable relief to your dog’s aching joints? The Anxious Pet Organic Hemp Oils are our very top recommendation. These hemp oils draw on the natural healing properties of full-spectrum cannabinoid oil (CBD). In case you’re unfamiliar with CBD, it has quickly become a go-to natural remedy for a range of pet health problems. In addition to its ability to help relieve joint pain, CBD can also help reduce anxiety, stress, and nausea in dogs.1
So how exactly can it help out your dog’s joints? Well, CBD not only boasts anti-inflammatory properties, but also calming and pain relieving properties.2 As you can imagine, these properties are precisely what’s needed to help your pooch cope as effectively as possible with their joint problems.
There’s probably another question you have on your mind: Why buy hemp oil from The Anxious Pet, and not another brand? The Anxious Pet’s hemp oils are veterinarian-formulated and backed by extensive research. They’re even third party lab-tested to guarantee purity and potency. Unlike the products from many other brands, The Anxious Pet’s range of hemp oils are 100% free of any harmful fillers and are also completely organic. In fact, the only other ingredient than organic full-spectrum cannabinoid oil in their hemp oils is organic fractionated coconut oil. And no, in case you’re wondering, these hemp oils won’t make your pooch high!
The Anxious Pet Organic Hemp Oils Key Features:
- Veterinarian-formulated
- Organic full-spectrum cannabinoid oil (CBD)
- 60-day money-back satisfaction guarantee
- Lab-tested for purity and potency
Best Joint Supplements with MSM for Dogs: Nutramax Cosequin DS Plus with MSM Chewable Tablets
Offering quick results and incredible ingredients, Nutramax Cosequin DS Plus with MSM Chewable Tablets is an excellent choice to give dogs with joint problems. Customers loved how quickly they saw changes in their pooch. This supplement is advertised to have an initial administration period of four to six weeks, so it could take up to a month and a half before the ingredients kick into their full effect. However, many customers reported that they began to see changes in their canines in as little as a week. Dogs who were once lethargic were reported to have bounced back into their old selves.
We also loved the quality ingredients found in this supplement. This supplement contains all the ingredients you would expect to find in a joint supplement for dogs, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, and Magnesium. These supplements are key players at maintaining joint health and can drastically improve your pet’s joint function.3 On top of this, Cosequin also contains MSM, which has been theorized to help repair connective tissue and joints. 4
Plus, this product is also veterinarian recommended to improve mobility for dogs of all shapes and sizes. The tablet form means that the dosage can be properly changed for your dog’s weight and needs, so there is no need to worry about buying the correct size tablets or anything of that sort. The tablets are also completely chewable, and often dogs will take the tablets as treats, especially if you act like it’s a treat. We know that giving pets medication can sometimes be difficult, but these chewable tablets make it easy.
Nutramax Cosequin DS Plus with MSM Chewable Tablets Key Features:
- Contains high-quality ingredients
- #1 veterinarian recommended retail joint health supplement
- Chewable tablets
- Contains MSM and other well-known ingredients
Best Budget Pick: PetNC Natural Care Hip & Joint Soft Chews
Are you looking for a joint supplement on a budget that won’t sacrifice your canine’s health? Then this supplement might just be the option for you. PetNC Natural Care Hip & Joint Soft Chews are priced far below the competition at only $29.99 for 150 soft chews. That’s only around 20 cents per chew! Their low cost makes them affordable on almost any budget. Still, you don’t have to worry about skimping on your dog’s health with these chews. They contain powerful ingredients including Glucosamine Hydrochloride (Shellfish), Chondroitin Sulfate (Porcine), and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). On top of these high-quality ingredients, this supplement also contains a number of components that help support your dog’s overall health and activity level. This includes things like vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid. If your dog needs some extra supportive care, these chews also come in a high potency formula.
Plus, these chews are well… chewable, so you don’t have to worry about trying to force your dog to eat it or try hiding it in their food. They are also flavored to taste like a liver dog treat to encourage your canine to eat them without a fuss. Dosing is also extremely easy as well. It’s recommended that you give them to your pooch for four to six weeks for best results. The exact dosing is dependent on your canine’s body weight and is simply controlled by feeding your pooch more or fewer chews a day. There are no half-doses, so you don’t have to worry about trying to cut a tablet in half, which we know can sometimes be difficult!
PetNC Natural Care Hip & Joint Soft Chews Key Features:
- High-quality ingredients
- Liver flavored
- Chewable
- Available in regular and high potency
Best Glucosamine for Dogs Pick: ProSense Advanced Strength Glucosamine Chew Tablets for Dogs
ProSense Advanced Strength Glucosamine Chew Tablets for Dogs features high amounts of Glucosamine to combat even the worst joint damage. Glucosamine has been shown to boost the repair of damaged joint cartilage and alleviate pain caused by joint damage.5 This makes high amounts of Glucosamine great for conditions like arthritis, or even to prevent predisposition canines from developing joint damage and pain. This supplement contains 650 mg of Glucosamine per dosage, higher than most of the competition. Due to Glucosamine’s effect on cartilage repair, this joint supplement can go a long way to improving your pooch’s mobility and joint function. On top of the high levels of Glucosamine, ProSense Advanced Strength Glucosamine Chew Tablets for Dogs also contains a number of ingredients to support your dog’s joint health, such as chondroitin and vitamin C.6
These tablets are also chewable for easy dosage. Of course, the exact dosage is based on your pet’s body weight. For dogs under 25 pounds, half a tablet is recommended during the maintenance period, so if you want to avoid messing with cutting tablets in half, this might not be the product for you. Still, many customers praised how easy it was to give their dog this supplement. They are completely chewable and have a taste designed to encourage dogs to eat them. Many customers reported that their dogs loved them and ate them easily. The manufacturers also recommend administering this supplement during or directly after your canine has eaten to avoid stomach upset.
ProSense Advanced Strength Glucosamine Chew Tablets for Dogs Key Features:
- 650 mg of Glucosamine
- Chewable
- Taste dogs love
- Variety of ingredients to support joint function
Best All-Natural Hip and Joint Supplement for Dogs Pick: Infinite Pet Supplements’ All-Natural Hip & Joint Supplement
For the pet owners out there who are in search of an all-natural joint supplement for their canines, this is the product to get. Infinite Pet Supplements’ All-Natural Hip & Joint Supplement is by far the best all-natural supplement on the market. It is made with human grade, all-natural ingredients and is one of the top-rated all-natural joint supplements for dogs. With organic turmeric, an anti-inflammatory, and other scientifically proven ingredients, this supplement both provides short-term relief of inflammation and supports the long-term repair of cartilage and connective tissue.7 Tumeric and MSM provide immediate anti-inflammatory pain relief, while Glucosamine supports the body’s attempt to repair and prevent further damage to their joints. Every single ingredient in this supplement is all natural. There are no artificial flavors and everything is made in a GMP certified facility in the USA. Only high quality, human grade ingredients are used, providing the best possible treatment for your dog.
The initial dosage period takes place over six weeks, after which the dosage is halved for maintenance. For dogs under 15 pounds, half of a tablet is recommended, so you will have to cut tablets in half if you choose to purchase this product. However, this supplement does come with a money back guarantee and a free eBook about your dog’s health, so you are getting a lot of bang for your buck.
Infinite Pet Supplements’ All-Natural Hip & Joint Supplement Key Features:
- All-natural ingredients
- Contains turmeric
- Human-grade ingredients
- Money back guarantee
Who Should Buy a Joint Supplement for Dogs
Aging can take a toll on any dog’s joints. The cartilage that is usually sandwiched in between the bones at the joints can slowly get scrapped away, which causes the bones to scrape against each other. This wear-and-tear can create pain and stiffness. Under normal circumstances, the body would repair the cartilage and prevent this from happening. But, as dogs get older, this becomes more and more difficult for the body to do.8 Because of this, joint supplements can help many older dogs who are experiencing joint pain and stiffness by helping their body repair the cartilage. If you have a dog who is beginning to exhibit signs of joint stiffness or pain, it might be a good idea to start them on a joint supplement to prevent further damage and repair what damage they do have before it gets worse. Dogs who have been diagnosed with joint problems, like arthritis, can also benefit from joint supplements on top of their usual medication.
Dogs who are predisposed to develop joint problems might benefit from starting a supplement as soon as they are old enough to. Many dog breeds are prone to joint problems such as dysplasia and subluxation.9These dog breeds include Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. If these dogs are started on joint supplements early, problems can be avoided as they age.
This range of third-party tested and veterinarian-formulated organic hemp oils will help to ease your dog’s painful joints.
Important Features to Consider
A joint supplement for dogs should do a number of things to support your dog’s joint health. Here’s what to consider when selecting a joint supplement for your dog:
- Ingredients. Of course, it is the ingredients in the supplements that improve your dog’s joint health, and the type and amount of the ingredients each supplement contains matters a lot. All ingredients should be scientifically proven to boost a dog’s joint health, either by helping repair damaged cartilage or reducing pain caused by the wear-and-tear. Ingredients should also be in a high enough dosage to be effective. Effective ingredients may include glucosamine, chondritin, MSM, vitamins E and C, and turmeric. 10
- Safety. Are the ingredients safe for your dog to take? This can be discovered by looking at a product certifications and recommendations. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian.
- Ease of administration. Purchasing a joint supplement doesn’t do you much good if you can’t get your dog to eat it. Many joint supplements are chewable and come flavored, which is normally enough to convince a canine to try it. However, if your dog is a picky eater, you might want to keep the flavor in mind while you search for a joint supplement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are joint supplements for dogs and how do they work?
A joint supplement is a pill or chewable tablet that contains ingredients to support and maintain joint health. The exact ingredients and potencies can vary widely from supplement to supplement. However, every joint supplement has the same goal – to reduce pain and stiffness in your dog’s joints. The most common ingredients in joint supplements are Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM. Glucosamine stimulates cartilage growth, which pads your dog’s joints. It is scientifically proven to decrease a dog’s joint pain and improve their mobility, with most patients showing improvements within 70 days. Chondroitin reduces the wear-and-tear of cartilage by inhibiting certain cartilage destroying chemicals. This prevents further damage to your dog’s joints.11 MSM has not be rigorously tested, so its exact effectiveness is unknown. However, it is thought to work as an antioxidant, which can prevent damage to your dog’s cells. It is also extremely safe and found naturally in rainwater and most natural streams.12
Does my dog need a joint supplement?
Three main categories of dogs need joint supplements: older dogs, dogs with a predisposition to joint disorders, and those already diagnosed with joint disorders.13 If your dog falls into one of these categories, it is likely that he or she would benefit from a joint supplement. You can read more about what dogs, in particular, need joint supplements in our Who Should Buy a Joint Supplement for Dogs section.
What are the best supplements for a dog’s joint health?
We’ve identified five of the best joint supplements for dogs earlier in this article. However, the best supplement for your canine depends a lot on your dog’s particular situation. Some dogs might benefit more from damage-preventing ingredients while others might need their existing damage repaired. If you are particularly worried about your dog’s joint health, it is a great idea to discuss your options with your veterinarian. Your vet can give you detailed information about your pet’s situation and suggest the best supplement for them.
What can you give a dog for joint pain?
Most joint supplements do not provide instant or even same-day results. Instead, the ingredients in the supplement must get to work repairing and prevent further damage to your dog’s joints before you begin to see a huge difference. This can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks, though some pet owners have reported faster results from some joint supplements.14
If your dog is in pain from joint problems now, it is probably best to make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet can prescribe pain medication to ease your pet’s pain while you wait for the supplements to take effect
- Edwards T. CBD Oil For Dogs: A Veterinarian Explains The Pros And Cons. Huffpost.com. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cbd-oil-dogs-pros-cons_l_5d77b7e6e4b0645135754d14. Updated Sept 10, 2019. Accessed Dec 23, 2020.
- Gamble LJ, Boesch JM, Frye CW, et al. Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Front Vet Sci. 2018;5:165. Published 2018 Jul 23. doi:10.3389/fvets.2018.00165
- Musco N, Vassalotti G, Mastellone V, et al. Effects of a nutritional supplement in dogs affected by osteoarthritis. Vet Med Sci. 2019;5(3):325-335. doi:10.1002/vms3.182
- Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ. Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement. Nutrients. 2017;9(3):290. Published 2017 Mar 16. doi:10.3390/nu9030290
- Bhathal A, Spryszak M, Louizos C, Frankel G. Glucosamine and chondroitin use in canines for osteoarthritis: A review. Open Vet J. 2017;7(1):36-49. doi:10.4314/ovj.v7i1.6
- Your Dog’s Arthritis and Joint Health. Darwinspet.com. https://www.darwinspet.com/health-issues/dog-arthritis-joint-health.html#:~:text=Vitamin%20C%20is%20a%20powerful,supplementation%20can%20aid%20the%20symptoms. Published Dec 11, 2017. Accessed Dec 23, 2020.
- Gunnars K. 10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin. Healthline.com. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric. Published Jul 13, 2018. Accessed Dec 23, 2020.
- Williams K, Ward E. Degenerative Joint Disease in Dogs. vcahospitals.com. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/degenerative-joint-disease-in-dogs#:~:text=DJD%20can%20occur%20following%20a,more%20likely%20to%20develop%20DJD.%22. Accessed Dec 23, 2020.
- Arthritis in Dogs. Pethealthnetwork.com. https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/arthritis-dogs. Published Aug 4, 2015. Accessed Dec 23, 2020.
- A Vet Talks About the Best Ingredients for Joint Supplements for Dogs. PetMD.com. https://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/vet-talks-about-best-ingredients-joint-supplements-dogs. Published Mar 25, 2019. Accessed Dec 23, 2020.
- Bhathal A, Spryszak M, Louizos C, Frankel G. Glucosamine and chondroitin use in canines for osteoarthritis: A review. Open Vet J. 2017;7(1):36-49. doi:10.4314/ovj.v7i1.6
- Gollakner R. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). VCAhospitals.com. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/msm. Accessed Dec 23, 2020.
- Freeman A. Should you start giving your dog a joint supplement? Smartypawshealth.com. https://www.smartypawshealth.com/blogs/all/when-to-start-thinking-about-a-joint-supplement-for-your-dog. Accessed Dec 23, 2020.
- Gollakner R. Glucosamine Chondroitin Combination. VCAhospitals.com. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/glucosamine. Accessed Dec 23, 2020.
