Charlie graduated from The Royal Veterinary College of London and is now working as a Veterinary Surgeon in a large chain of vets treating companion animals such as dogs, cats and small furries.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Charlie graduated from The Royal Veterinary College of London and is now working as a Veterinary Surgeon in a large chain of vets treating companion animals such as dogs, cats and small furries.
If your dog is reluctant to move around much, or can only “bunny-hop” (moving their back legs at the same time) when they do move, this can indicate issues with their joints. They may also lick the affected area and express their pain through whining or other vocal noises. In the worst-case scenario, your pooch may seem lethargic or depressed, due to their inability to run around.
Try to observe your pet regularly so that you can notice any changes in behaviour – even less obvious ones. The earlier you notice these signs, the more quickly you can start treatment and relieve any pain that they may be experiencing. In addition to supplements, you can minimise your dog’s joint pain by making sure they’re the correct weight for their breed and age.
Often getting slower or stiff are just put down to "old age" however all elderly dogs have osteoarthritis. Can your dog still jump onto the couch? Do they struggle to get up or are they stiff for the first two strides after resting?
These are just a few signs of joint pain. If your dog can still play and chase a ball this does not eliminate pain as with adrenaline on board many dogs can play they will just be feeling the effects afterwards.
Further ingredients for strengthening cartilage include curcumin (an extract of turmeric), which helps to absorb free radicals, and Boswellia extract, which helps to preserve the structural composition of connective tissue. Similarly, rosehips are high in vitamin C, which is essential for producing the collagen needed to maintain healthy cartilage.
Keep your puppy healthy with our Best Dog Foods for Puppies!
The most important ingredients in a joint supplement are green-lipped mussel, omega 3, glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid and Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU). Glucosamine and chondroitin have anti-inflammatory properties calming the joints natural response to pain.
Through many different mechanisms, they also have some cartilage protecting properties which help to maintain the joint cushion in-between the bone.
In comparison, soft chews will take longer to reach your dog’s stomach, so they may have added sugars to make them taste better. Granules, which can either be added dry to your pet’s food or mixed with water to form a liquid, may also have added flavours to appeal to your pooch. Since you know your dog best, we’ll leave it up to you to decide which is likely to be the most effective!
For older dogs, try our Best Senior Dog Foods!
Joint supplements come in many forms. Liquids, tablets and chews for example. If your dog is fussy maybe mixing a liquid into their food would be the easiest way to get it in. You know your dog best so have a think about which they would prefer.
Many are flavoured with meaty flavours and often they are fishy due to containing omegas sourced from fish so these supplements contain a natural favouring which many dogs will adore.
If you do go for something which is unflavoured though, we recommend mixing it with your pup’s favourite food so they’ll be sure to wolf it down and get the nutrients they need.
For an all-round healthy option, try our Best Healthy Dog Foods!
It may be trial and error of which your dog likes but you'll definitely be able to find one they love with all the options available on the market.
These daily chews by iKARMEL boast an impressive list of active ingredients, and with 180 per tub, they're sure to go a long way! They are said to bring a new lease of life to your worn out pup, and are suitable for all ages, from puppies to seniors alike.
They go down a treat, too, and even the fussiest dogs won't turn up their noses! So whether you want to offer some well needed relief to an aged companion, or take gentle care of a bouncy young pup, these chews are a perfect solution to a range of joint complaints!
"When choosing a joint supplement look into the clinical trials surrounding the product to ensure they contain enough of the vital ingredients. I also always recommend that my patients are started on joint supplements as soon as possible. Ideally, before the clinical signs are seen however they can still work wonders for the "already stiff" dog."
"Sometimes dogs require prescription medication alongside joint supplements so if your dog is still stiff please contact your vet who will be happy to discuss the topic with you. To prevent worsening of stiffness avoid repetitive actions on the joints and sudden turns like running back and forth to catch a ball."
Studies have shown that dog joint supplements have helped in slowing down the progression of arthritis in dogs. While they cannot fully prevent arthritis, they can relieve and repair symptoms of joint stress and cartilage damage. This is generally more of an issue in older dogs and large breeds, so consider discussing options with your vet.
This is something that you should discuss with your vet for the best course of action. You could start when they start to show signs of arthritis like moving around slower and licking their joints. The other option is after they turn 1 when they're fully grown, as a preventative measure.
While one of the key ingredients in joint supplements, glucosamine, is present in both human and dog joint supplements, you should not give your dog human joint supplements because of the other added ingredients that they use such as xylitol which can be fatal to your dog.
No. 1: Lintbells | YuMOVE Dog Joint Supplement for Stiff Dogs | 120 Tablets
No. 2: The Dog Doctors | Mobility Plus Hip And Joint Aid Supplement | 120 Tablets
No. 3: The Healthy Dog Co | All Natural Joint Genie
No. 4: Vitavet SuperDog | Vitabiotics Joints and Bones | 30 Tablets
No. 5: Vetzyme | High Strength Flexible Joint | 90 Tablets
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications