The Best Dog Hip & Joint Supplements in 2024
Perhaps you’ve noticed that your dog hasn’t been as active as before – or maybe they’re recovering from a surgery and the healing process needs some help. Regardless of the why, there often comes a point in the life of your dog that when you’ll need to consider supplementing their diet with something for their joints and hips.
Sorting through all the available products may seem a bit daunting at first; it’s hard to know which pills out of the myriad of options will be the best for you and your pet. To save you time, we’ve done the research for you and have a total of 6 joint supplements that we would recommend. These are all top-of-the-line and have their own pros and cons that you can use to evaluate which will be best for you and your beloved companion.
Our Top List
Last update on 2024-11-27 at 00:51 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Cosequin Maximum Strength
When it comes to join supplements, Cosequin is the #1 veterinarian recommended brand in the US. These are ideal if your dog is having arthritis-related problems such as difficulties climbing stairs, going for walks, jumping into the car, or simply getting up.
The main ingredients include Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MGM which are the main trifecta of ingredients you want to look for in a joint supplement. The Glucosamine levels are key and these tablets come with 600mg per tablet – the 2nd highest dose per tablet compared with all of the other supplements on this list.
Takeaways
- Chicken-flavored
- 600mg of Glucosamine per tablet
Pros
- Works in as little as 2 weeks
- #1 veterinarian recommended brand in the US
- Bottles come with 3 different pill-count options
- Final recipe has been peer-reviewed in a controlled study among US veterinarians
Cons
- They are not soft pills and may be difficult to take for dogs with jaw issues
2. Genuine Naturals Hip + Joint Chews
Like its predecessor, these Genuine Naturals contain the 3 key ingredients for a joint supplement: Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM. The ingredients used are all organic and a huge plus here is that everything is 100% sourced in the United States. The focus of this supplement includes: alleviating hip and joint pain, hip dysplasia, and the stiffness that comes from arthritis.
Takeaways
- Turmeric flavored soft chews
- Has ingredients to help with pain relief
- 200mg of Glucosamine per chew
Pros
- 100% sourced (and manufactured) in the US
- Extra soft pills ideal for dogs with jaw problems
- Organic ingredients
Cons
- Contains egg shell meal
3. Doggie Dailies Advanced Hip & Joint
This supplement is the first among the list to contain ingredients that go beyond supplementing joint health. In addition to the trio of Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM, this also contains an additional 3 other powerful ingredients (CoQ10, Hyaluronic Acid and Yucca Schidigera). Additionally, it also contains vitamins and oils that promote skin and coat health.
The supplements themselves are soft chews and come in either chicken or peanut butter flavor. It’s a nice bonus for pet owners too since you’ll get 225 soft chews in a bottle – the largest count of all supplements listed here. For pet owners who have dogs with multiple or more serve mobility issues, this supplement is quite helpful because it has so many benefits in one.
Takeaways
- Made in the US
- Vitamin-based ingredients help promote healthy skin and coat
- 100mg of Glucosamine in each chew
Pros
- 225 soft chews
- Ingredients have natural anti-inflammatory features
- Comes in both peanut butter or chicken flavor
Cons
- Lowest dose of Glucosamine of all supplements reviewed here
4. Infinite Pet Supplement
The ‘All Natural’ in the title sets the tone for this supplement, which includes Organic Turmeric in addition to the trio of Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM. The ingredients are all human-grade and in addition to helping with arthritis, this supplement also helps with heart health, liver function, allergies, stomach issues, and it is known to kill parasites and reduce/eliminate ear growths.
Unique to this produce is a 100% satisfaction promise with a money back guarantee. It’s made locally in the US and has an average amount of Glucosamine in each pill. For those of you that have dogs with jaw/chewing problems, these are not soft chews and you only receive 90 per bottle. Overall though, this is an excellent choice for those looking to address a number of health-concerns in addition to joint problems.
Takeaways
- Made with human-grade ingredients
- Manufactured locally in the US
- 250 mg of Glucosamine per pill
Pros
- 100% lifetime satisfaction with money back guarantee
- Additional ingredients help improve liver and stomach health and kills parasites
- Includes turmeric
Cons
- Only 90 pills per bottle
5. Vetriscience Glycoflex 3
With over 30 years of recommendations from veterinarians it is no surprise that this supplement lands on the list of the top six. The focus of this group of ingredients is on hips and joints (primarily hind legs) and it ideal for dogs that do not yet have advanced arthritis. This level 3 supplement is three of four, and it best for senior and/or working dogs.
While this supplement has the most Glucosamine (1000mg/tablet), it also is missing one of the three ingredients found in the top-level supplements: Chondroitin. You shouldn’t discount this as a competitive option however, because of the high amount of Glucosamine and the other ingredients that come into play that help with cartilage, joint and inflammation.
Takeaways
- Results seen within 4 weeks
- 120 chicken-flavored tablets per bottle
- 1000 mg of Glucosamine per tablet
Pros
- Ingredients work to build up cartilage, cushion joints and keep inflammation in check
- Highest level of Glucosamine per tablet from all supplements on this list
- 30+ years of being veterinarian recommended
Cons
- Does not contain chondroitin
6. PetNC Natural Care Chews for Dogs
The final product here is made in the US with human-grade ingredients and is lab-tested for quality. In addition to the main trio of ingredients (Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM), it also has additional ingredients that are helpful to your aching dog such as vitamin C, manganese, copper and zinc. Together, these help balance your dogs overall health, while helping him/her to move around better.
This brand comes in bottles of 90 soft chews and has the average amount of Glucosamine (250 mg) for each of the savory-flavored pills. Additionally, you can also get them with 250mg of Glucosamine if your furry family member needs a little bit more of a boost. While the ingredients are not always 100% sourced in the US depending on product availability, they are thoroughly vetted and then manufactured here in the US making this a safe and dependable option for you and your dog(s).
Takeaways
- Contains vitamins in addition to the ingredients for joint pain
- Lab-tested in the US
- Soft Chews
- 250 mg of Glucosamine per chew
Pros
- Made with human-grade ingredients
- Comes in both 250 mg and 600 mg doses
- Works in as little as 4 weeks
Cons
- Manufactured but not always sourced in the US
Verdict & Review
Cosequin Maximum Strength Joint Supplement
Pros
- Long term solution
- Made in the US
- Every parcel is tested for quality control
- Chicken flavored
- For dogs of all sizes
Cons
- Since it's for dogs of all sizes, dosing correctly may be tricky at first.
There are reasons why each of these 6 joint supplements would work for you and your dog. But perhaps you’re wondering which one we think is best . . . In the end, while all of these are highly recommended, our best choice would be the Cosequin Maximum Strength supplement.
There are several reasons why, if you are undecided, you should go with the Cosequin supplement. It is one of the few here on the list that is vet-tested in peer-reviewed studies and it has the highest amount of Glucosamine WITH Chondroitin from all the supplements on this list. Because of this, it is often said to be the one that will give you and your dog the fastest, most positive results. In the end, fast results and reliable ingredients bring this one to the top of our list.
Buying Guide
So you’re ready to start investing in some quality joint supplements for your dog, but where do you start? We get it – there are so many options out there. To help you choose, here are some things to consider when you’re looking to narrow down the list and get the best product for your pet:
- What are the active ingredients?
- Are there side benefits?
- What flavors/types of pills will my dog receive?
- How soon will I know that a supplement is working?
What are the active ingredients?
There are 3 main ingredients found in many of the best joint supplements for dogs: Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM. Together, these work to strengthen cartilage and reduce swelling which means your dog can move around better and further damage to their joints is prevented.
When you’re looking at joint supplements make sure that these three are present. You may also want to check if these (and additional ingredients) are organic, human-grade, and/or sourced in the US. Depending on your dogs’ dietary needs, you’ll want to look to see if the ingredients in question come from fish and/or contain corn or grain.
Lastly, you’ll want to look at the dosage of the ingredients per pill. Your vet may have a specific amount of each element that you’ll want to give your dog for the best results. All good supplement producers will be able to provide the per pill amount so make sure you check so you get the best balance!
Are there side benefits?
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential supplements that contain the right balance of ingredients that meet your dogs’ dietary needs, you can start to compare ‘side benefits’. Oftentimes the supplements will have additional vitamins that will help balance your dogs’ nutrition, contribute to better skin/coat health, reduce growths and more. Looking at additional benefits may help you consolidate how many pills your dog will need to take and/or provide him or her with extra pep.
What flavors and pill types will I get?
This may be more important than side benefits depending on how picky your dog is. However, sometimes the only difference between two good joint supplements will be the flavor. Here is where your dog gets their say. It’s helpful to have an idea in advance of what your dog likes to eat and then match the flavor of the supplement accordingly.
In addition to flavor, you will also want to know if the pill comes in hard tablets or soft chews. You may have a dog that is picky about consistency or one who has trouble chewing. Knowing what type of pill you’ll be getting from the supplements goes a long way in helping your dog eat them without a fuss.
How soon will I know that the supplement is working?
There are a variety of things that will contribute to your joint supplement working (or not). In some cases, you’ll start to see results within the first two weeks. Oftentimes, however, it takes up to a month before you can see noticeable results. One this is certain though – consistency is key!
Your vet may have recommended a starting dosage but be aware that you may have to adapt for your dog since each one is unique. If you notice a sudden increase in urination or very soft stool, try cutting back the dosage amount and if you’re administering multiple times a day, reduce how often you’re giving it to your dog. It’s not often a sign that it’s not working, just that the dosage is a bit too high. In the end, with a bit of patience, you and your dog will both be much happier and mobile.
We are the Pet Dog Pals, a group of avid pet owners, bloggers, product testers, and writers for all your canine needs! We own a collective 16 dogs and 21 cats to help us test and review pet products. Our top lists and tips come from experience to help you be the best dog owner you can be!