Unfortunately, bad joints are a common problem for dogs. All of the routine pounding, and wear and tear dogs endure, and even the way dogs are built and the way a dog’s weight is distributed can contribute to joint discomfort. This is especially true as dogs grow older or gain weight. Studies have shown that 20-25% of the dog population will be affected by arthritis issues alone, and that is but one cause of joint pain in dogs.
There are degenerative issues, development issues with joints, and simple age and weight related problems. A good hip and joint supplement for dogs can help alleviate pain, can help improve mobility and flexibility, can help promote healthier joints and cartilage, and can help support joints.
The research detailed in this study identifies the best joint supplement for dogs in both premium and budget categories. It also identifies honorable mentions in both categories. The data collected has been combed from reviews, websites, articles, and a literary review of online material covering one of the most common ailments that most dogs and pet owners must face, sooner or later. Looking for a supplement or vitamin to treat something other than joint pain? Check out our article on dog vitamins.
Comparison of Best Joint Supplements for Dogs
#1 Best Joint Supplement for Dogs (Premium): Extra Strength Chewable Joint Supplement For Dogs By K9 Care Labs
• Ingredients: Extra Strength Chewable Joint Supplement for Dogs, made by K9 Care Labs, is filled with natural supplements that help promote healthy hips and joints. This helps dogs with mobility and also helps fight pain in dogs with problem joints. Active ingredients include: Glucosamine (500 MG), Chondroitin (400 MG), and Vitamin C (166 MG). The Vitamin C helps build the immune system and helps keep dogs healthier in general, the same as with humans.
• Cost: This, the best joint supplement for dogs in a premium brand, costs $35.00 for 120 bacon flavored tablets, meaning that one of these hip and joint supplements for dogs costs about twenty-nine cents apiece.
• Relief Factor: While this formula addresses all important joint and pain relief issues, such as inflammation, cartilage and fluid support, and improved mobility, it also has a healthy dose of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps boost a dog’s immune system, and a healthier dog is better equipped to fight joint issues like arthritis.
• Company Info: K9 Care Labs is a family owned business that was started (and is dedicated) to the love of the family dogs. The care they have is illustrated in the extra mile their products go to provide pain relief for dogs.
• Attraction for Dogs: These bacon flavored hip and joint supplements for dogs have been tested and shown that 87% of dogs will eat these tablets by themselves. The tablets are made with real and artificial bacon flavors, with extra Vitamin C.
• Customer Buzz: This is most commonly considered the best joint supplements for dogs on the market, based on customer reviews, as well as input from vet and dog training websites and blogs. It provides older dogs and dogs with arthritis and stiff joints with a high dose of both Glucosamine and Chondroitin, which helps alleviate pain, inflammation, and promotes healthy joints.
• Rewards, Certifications and Bonuses: The K9 Care Labs Company produces their hip and joint supplements for dogs in FDA approved facilities. They also offer customers a 100% money back guarantee for anyone who is not satisfied with their product for any reason.
• Cost Breakdown for Size: 20 to 40 lb. dogs, 1 tablet (.29 per dose); 40 to 60 lb. dogs, 2 tablets (.58 per dose); 60 to 80 lb. dogs, 3 tablets (.87 per dose); 80 to 100 lb. dogs, 4 tablets ($1.16 per dose); This cost reduces by about half for each size dog after the initial 4 to 6 week dosages.
#2 Best Joint Supplement for Dogs (Budget): Doggie Dailies Glucosamine for Dogs
• Ingredients: These chicken flavored hip and joint supplements for dogs have several active ingredients designed to help promote healthy hips and joints, Glucosamine (100 MG), Chondroitin (50 MG), MSM, Yucca Schidigera (50 MG), Coenzyme Q10 (10 MG), and Hyaluronic Acid (10 MG). Aside from the hip and joint supplemental ingredients, Doggie Dailies Glucosamine for Dogs has plenty of skin and coat aides, including Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids, Vitamin C and E, and Salmon Oil and Cod Liver Oil.
• Cost: Doggie Dailies Glucosamine for Dogs costs $33.97 for 225 soft chew tablets, putting the cost for each of these hip and joint supplements for dogs at about fifteen cents apiece.
• Relief Factor: This is one of the best joint supplements for dogs because of the many active ingredients that treat many aging effects and help problem joints in dogs. Benefits include: the natural promotion of healthy hips, joints, ligaments and cartilage, increased mobility and energy levels, and the lessening of pain and discomfort in joints. This hip and joint supplement for dogs also provides vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other nutrients that dogs need as part of a healthy diet.
• Company Info: Doggie Dailies has been producing healthy, natural dog supplements in the U.S. for over 25 years.
• Attraction for Dogs: These hip and joint supplements for dogs come in a chicken flavor, so dogs tend to eat them like a treat. They are also soft, small and easy to chew so older dogs or dogs with problem joints of all shapes and sizes can take them.
• Customer Buzz: The online reviews are extremely positive for this, which is one reason why it is considered the best joint supplements for dogs (on a budget) that can be found. People with dogs with stiff joints and severe arthritis even report noticeable improvements in their pets when they take Doggie Dailies Glucosamine for Dogs regularly.
• Rewards, Certifications and Bonuses: Each batch of Doggie Dailies Glucosamine for Dogs is certified by an independent lab. The factories are all FDA certified and located in the United States. The company offers a risk free money back guarantee and even gives customers 2 educational e-books on dog healthcare.
• Cost Breakdown for Size: 0 to 15 lb. dogs, 1 chew (.15 per dose); 15 to 30 lb. dogs, 2 chews (.30 per dose); 30 to 45 lb. dogs, 3 chews (.45 per dose); 45 to 60 lb. dogs, 4 chews (.60 per dose); 60 to 75 lb. dogs, 5 chews (.75 per dose); 75 lb. dogs and up, 6 chews (.90 per dose).
Runner up Best Joint Supplement for Dogs: Dog Joint Supplement – Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, Devils Claw, Bromelain, Turmeric
Maxxi Flex is the runner up to the best joint supplement for dogs (Premium Brand) for many reasons, as it helps with joint pain, mobility, inflammation, and promotes healthy joints and cartilage in dogs.
These tablets have a liver flavor that dogs love, and pet owners overwhelmingly give positive reviews for this hip and joint supplement for dogs.
A bottle of 120 tablets costs $35.00, and suggested doses are based around 1 tablet for every 25 pounds (with a 3 tablet maximum), so doses range from twenty nine cents to about 87 cents a day. Helpful nutrients and supplements in the tablets include: Glucosamine (720 MG), Chondroitin (250 MG), MSM (200 MG), Devils Claw Extract (100 MG), Bromelain (25 MG), and HA (20 MG) Also, both GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) have certified this company’s production facilities and practices.
Runner up Best Joint Supplement for Dogs (Budget): Paws & Pals Glucosamine Chondroitin Hip Joint; Advanced Level 2 Formula All Natural Soft Chews MSN
At $22.95 for 240 chewable tablets, these affordable hip and joint supplements for dogs only cost ten cents per tablet.
The dosage per animal based on size rises in 20 to 30 pound increments, ranging from ten cents per dosage for miniature dogs (up to 10 lbs.) to forty cents per dosage for large dogs (80 lbs. And up).
Certainly affordable, and yet these hip and joint supplements for dogs provide a healthy dose of Glucosamine (500 MG), MSM (500 MG) Yucca Schidigera (90 MG), Chondroitin (60 MG), Vitamin C (58MG), plus Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids for healthy skin and coats.
Data and Factors Determining this Study for the Best Joint Supplements for Dogs
The criteria used to determine the best joint supplement for dogs, and the runners up to the best joint supplement for dogs, all revolve around nutrients, enzymes, chemicals and natural ingredients that can be used to alleviate pain, increase mobility and flexibility, reduce swelling, and add to the promotion of healthier joints. Veterinarian driven websites, customer reviews, and a literary review of available treatments for joint pan was conducted and factored in as part of this research, along with data collected on hip and joint supplement nutritional value and ingredient content that treats joint issues. The four hip and joint supplements for dogs identified in this study met and exceeded all criteria, and were the most recommended by vets, trainers, dog owners and dog aficionados.
Supplement Ingredients Table – Common beneficial ingredients employed by the best joint supplements for dogs
- BROMELAIN: This is an antihistamine whose effects on dogs are often compared to that of Benadryl on humans, so it is good for skin irritations, pain and swelling.
- COENZYME Q10: CoQ10, as this enzyme is often referred to, is a vital nutrient for aging dogs. CoQ10 is good for the heart, kidneys, and helps boost a dog’s energy in a natural, healthy way. The problem with CcciQ10 is that while younger dogs produce an abundance of it, as dogs get older they produce less of it when they still need it, especially since it can also help alleviate arthritis symptoms.
- CHONDROITIN: This is extremely important for supporting healthy cartilage, which wears down naturally over time. Especially in dogs that carry excess weight. Chondroitin helps to keep fluid in and around cartilage, which helps to lessen both pain and wear and tear.
- DEVIL’S CLAW EXTRACT: This is another of nature’s anti-inflammatory’s, and it also helps hip and joint supplements for dogs with easing joint pain.
- GLUCOSAMINE: This is another chemical compound that a dog’s body will naturally produce, but as dog’s age their bodies cannot produce enough to keep up with the aging process. Glucosamine helps fight the aging process and has anti-inflammatory properties. Glucosamine is excellent for joints, and the best hip and joint supplements for dogs provide and ample supply of this natural healthy joint booster.
- HYALURONIC ACID (HA): This acid is needed to help ensure that joint fluid is thick enough to help cushion a dog’s joints. Imagine cartilage and bone grinding, just like a car’s or a machine’s pistons and gears. The thicker and fresher the oil, the better (and longer) the engine runs. The same can be said for joint fluid, and HA helps make for healthier, thicker joint fluid in dogs.
- MSM: Methylsulfonylmethane is an extremely strong anti-inflammatory, which helps alleviate pain in older dogs. MSM also promotes joint flexibility, which allows for better and easier movement and range of motion.
- YUCCA SCHIDIGERA: This plant offers a natural herbal source of anti-inflammatory effects and it also helps with arthritis. Studies of Yucca show that Yucca in a dog’s diet will not only help with arthritis issues, but will also help promote healthier joints.
When assessing if your dog has joint pain, look out for signs of pain in common areas of joint problems:
