Joint supplements for dogs

Overview

• Joint supplements are often prescribed for dogs with arthritis, or for those with a high chance of developing it.
• Joint supplements are available as tablets, capsules, as a liquid, and in certain dog foods.
• Joint supplements are safe to use alongside most other medications.
• Joint supplements help some dogs, but not all - speak to your vet for more information.
• You can buy joint supplements from our online PDSA Pet Store.

How do joint supplements work?

Joint supplements are thought to work by: 

1. Natural anti-inflammatory action - to soothe stiff joints.
2. Keep joint fluid healthy - to ease movement.
3. Feed cartilage - to keep it strong and smooth. 

Joint supplements are useful for some pets but not all - speak to your vet for more information.

Common uses

Arthritis

Joint supplements are thought to slow the progression of arthritis and reduce joint pain. They are safe to use alongside other common arthritis medicines such as anti-inflammatories and pain relief medicines.

Older dogs

Wear and tear throughout life means that joint problems are common in older dogs.

Joint injuries/problems

A joint problem/injury increases the chance of arthritis. Your vet may prescribe joint supplements for your dog if they’ve suffered a joint problem in the past.

Working dogs

Working dogs are at a higher risk of developing arthritis due to the amount of exercise they do. If you own a working dog, your vet may prescribe joint supplements to try to keep their joints healthy.

Side effects

There are no major side effects associated with joint supplements - they can be given very safely over a long period of time.

When to contact your vet

Contact your vet surgery for advice on whether your dog may benefit from taking joint supplements and if so, the most suitable product for them.

Joint supplements can be purchased from our PDSA Pet Store.

Ingredients

Joint supplements often have lots of different ingredients, the most common are listed below:

• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• Beta Glucans
• Green Lipped Mussel
• Omega 3
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Hyaluronic acid
• Manganese
• Turmeric.

Published: June 2018