The Best Joint Supplements for Dogs (For Every Use) (2024)

The best joint supplements for dogs reduce inflammation and are effective in treating arthritis or stiff joints. Whether your senior dog needs some help getting around or your young pup has an injured leg, joint supplements can help aid your dog in recovery and mobility. Speak with your veterinarian before giving your dog any type of supplement.

Our veterinarian, Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, for Pet News Daily selected the following joint supplements for dogs as the best based on available research as well as personal experience prescribing them for patients in her practice.

The Best Joint Supplement for Dogs

Dr. Whittenburg chose Nutramax Dasuquin Advanced with MSM as the best overall joint supplement for dogs because studies have shown it’s effective in the fight against inflammation.

While this is Dr. Whittenburg’s top pick, she’s also shared her top tips for researching and choosing the right joint supplement for your dog, shared some examples of when joint supplements may not be a fit for your dog personally selected the best joint supplement for multiple use cases.

The 5 Best Joint Supplements for Dogs

1. Best Overall – Nutramax Dasuquin Advanced with MSM
2. Best Budget – Vetriscience GlycoFlex Everyday
3. Best for Seniors – Nutramax Cosequin Senior
4. Best for Food – Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Dry Dog Food
5. Best for Cats & Dogs – Vetoquinol Flexadnin Advanced with UC-II

Joint Supplements Compared

Here are the top picks from our veterinarian. Compare the star ratings and key features of the five different models.

*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers

Who Should Buy Joint Supplements for Dogs

• Those whose veterinarian recommended joint supplements – If your veterinarian has recommended your pooch take a joint supplement, don’t dismiss it. Most dogs who need joint help benefit from these supplements.
• Those with a dog who has trouble getting around due to arthritis or other mobility issues –Consider a joint supplement if your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis or has another mobility issue such as an injured knee.
• Those caring for senior dogs – Joint supplements often help older dogs who are beginning to feel the effects of lifelong bouncing and playing.
• Those helping injured dogs in recovery – A joint supplement may help an injured dog who is recovering from surgery, a sprain, or other mobility restraints.

Who Should Not Buy Joint Supplements for Dogs

• Those with a dog who is fit and healthy – A young, healthy, fit, and active dog shouldn’t need a joint supplement. Of course, all dogs are unique, so speak with your veterinarian.
• Those who buy pet food with ingredients for joint health – Check the label on your dog’s food. Some brands add ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3s, and green tea for joint health.

Buying Guide: Research Tips From a Veterinarian

The best place to get advice on joint supplements for dogs is your dog’s veterinarian. There are many products on the market, but they’re not equally effective. Your veterinarian has the knowledge and experience to recommend the supplement that is right for your dog. Here are some tips and best practices to consider when purchasing a joint supplement for your dog.

1. Look for glucosamine and chondroitin – The basic ingredients to look for in a dog joint supplement are glucosamine and chondroitin. However, even if a product contains these two ingredients, they may not be in a form that your dog’s body can utilize. There are also many other ingredients in various supplements that can make them much more effective. Joint supplements for dogs need to have high-quality scientific research to support their efficacy.
2. Speak with your veterinarian – Ask your veterinarian for their suggestion about whether your pooch needs to be on a joint supplement, and if so, which one is best for your dog.
3. Follow up on the research – Not all joint supplements for dogs are made the same, have the same ingredients, or share the same efficacy. Check out the available research for the joint supplement you’re interested in and consult your veterinarian for the latest studies.
4. Consider additional ingredients – Just as all joint supplements for dogs are not equal in efficacy, neither do they contain the same ingredients. Consider any additional ingredients that may help in conjunction with the main ones.

How Much Do They Cost?

$25 to $50

Joint supplements for dogs run about $25 to $50 for 60 to 100 chews. The price varies depending on the particular ingredients in the supplement. The type of joint supplement for dogs you choose should be based on your dog’s needs. Some brands offer a joint supplement formula for dogs that costs less than $25, while other brands feature more complex formulas that can cost more than $50.

Our Methodology: Why Trust Pet News Daily

Through the veterinary profession and my personal experience, I selected the top five joint supplements for dogs based on efficacy, scientific research, and what I’ve personally seen in my practice. When choosing a joint supplement for your dog, it’s important to speak with your veterinarian for recommendations. – Dr. Jamie Whittenburg

The Best Joint Supplements for Dog Reviews

1. Best Overall – Nutramax Dasuquin Advanced with MSM

Our vet advisor considers Nutramax Dasuquin Advanced with MSM top-of-the-line joint supplements for dogs. Dasuquin Advanced contains a blend of ingredients that improve cartilage production, inhibit cartilage breakdown, and reduce inflammation and pain. Dasuquin ingredients include glucosamine HCI, sodium chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), avocado or soybean unsaponifiable (ASU), green tea extract, and Boswellia serrata extract.

Nutramax Dasuquin features benefits on par with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Studies have shown this joint supplement for dogs to be helpful in treating arthritis symptoms. Dasuquin Advanced with ESM is only available through a veterinarian but MSM is available on Amazon. The soft chews come in two dose sizes: small to medium dogs under 60 pounds and large dogs weighing more than 60 pounds.

2. Best Budget – Vetriscience GlycoFlex Everyday

The best budget joint supplement for dogs is Vetriscience GlycoFlex Everyday. This formula is a good and economical choice for dogs not suffering from advanced osteoarthritis or OA. GlycoFlex Everyday soft chews can be given to dogs of any age and may be especially helpful for those prone to joint issues.

The GlycoFlex Everyday chews contain the active ingredients Perna canaliculus from the green-lipped mussels, glucosamine from shrimp and crab, and DMG (N, N-Dimetylglycine). Two chews contain 600mg of Perna canaliculus, 500mg of glucosamine, and 100mg of DMG. Other base ingredients include items such as Arabic gum, brewers yeast, canola oil, and rye flour. The soft chews are chicken flavored, and each package contains 60 chews.

3. Best for Seniors – Nutramax Cosequin Senior

Nutramax Cosequin Senior soft chews are specially formulated for older dogs. The chews contain a blend of essential joint health ingredients including glucosamine HCI, sodium chondroitin sulfate, MSM, yeast extract (beta-glucans), EPA, and DHA omega-3s. These ingredients have been shown in studies to improve the health and structure of joint cartilage. The addition of beta-glucans also aids in immune function and digestive health.

Recommended by veterinarians for more than 20 years, Nutramax Cosequin joint supplement for senior dogs comes in 60 soft chews. Each chew contains 600mg of glucosamine, 400mg of MSM, 300mg of chondroitin, and 250mg of beta-glucans. Each chew also contains 70mg of omega-3s and features green tea extract. Though ingredients are globally sourced, the product is manufactured in the U.S.

4. Best for Food – Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Dry Dog Food

If you’re looking for a dog food that doubles as a joint supplement for dogs, Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Dry Dog Food is the best joint supplement for dogs for food. Hill’s j/d is available with a prescription from your veterinarian and comes as canned or dry food. Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d has been proven in clinical research trials to decrease pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.

See improvement within one month. The Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d dog food contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, L-carnitine for muscle health, and antioxidants for immune system support. Available in chicken or lamb flavor, the j/d dog food comes in 13-ounce cans for wet food and 8.5-pound and 27.5-pound bags for dry dog food. You have the option of a subscription service with your vet’s approval.

5. Best for Cats & Dogs – Vetoquinol Flexadnin Advanced with UC-II

For those who cater to both the canine and feline family members, the best joint supplement for cats and dogs is Vetoquinol Flexadnin Advanced with UC-II. Conveniently made for both cats and dogs, this joint supplement helps you keep your pets’ joints healthy with nontraditional ingredients such as collagen and fish oil.

Made from chicken cartilage, Vetoquinol Flexadin contains undenatured collagen as the main active ingredient. Each chew contains 40mg of collagen, yielding 10mg of active collagen, 80 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil, 20mg of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, and 42mg of vitamin E. Additional ingredients include, but are not limited to, Arabic gum, brewer’s yeast, chicken liver, oat flour, rye flour, and vegetable oil. Easy to administer, dogs and cats of any size only need one chew per day.

Article Sources

Pet News Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. AKC Staff. How Joint Supplements Help Dogs with Arthritis. Akc.org. Published May 3, 2022. Accessed July 15, 2022
2. AKC Staff. How Joint Supplements Help Dogs with Arthritis. Akc.org. Published May 3, 2022. Accessed July 15, 2022