8 Best Joint Supplements for Dogs in 2025, Recommended by Vets
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All products in this article have been reviewed by our trusted vets and experts. PetMD is owned by Chewy.
While regular exercise and a balanced and formulated diet can offer our four-legged family members a happy and healthy lifestyle, aches and pains can occur in canines of all ages, sizes, and breeds.
A study found that 20% of dogs in the U.S. over 1 year of age suffer from joint problems, with a range of symptoms including limping, lameness, difficulty moving, loss of muscle mass.
Joint pain in dogs can develop into osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease affecting hip and knee joints that is the most common type of arthritis in dogs.
Everything Our Vets Recommend
Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are ways to manage chronic joint pain in dogs.
Veterinarians recommend a multi-modal approach to management of joint health issues in dogs, using medications, diet, weight loss, supplements, physical therapy, acupuncture, and more.
The best joint supplements for dogs may help maintain a normal inflammatory response, movement in joints, and—most importantly—support an active life.
There are many joint dietary supplements on the market and our veterinarians are here to help you determine which ones could work best for you and your pup.
Our Vet Pick: Best in Show
Our vets chose Dasuquin as the overall best hip and joint supplement for dogs. This has been a favorite among veterinary orthopedic specialists for more than 30 years and is packed with ingredients that can benefit dogs suffering from joint pain.
Each chew contains green tea extract and glucosamine that supports a normal inflammatory response in joints, and methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, which helps maintain connective tissue.
- Loaded with beneficial ingredients
- Made by Nutramax—a reputable veterinary nutrition company known for product testing
- Available as a chewable tablet or soft chew
- Can take around four to six weeks to build up in your dog’s system
- Backed by scientific research proving support of cartilage matrix production, inhibiting cartilage breakdown, and helping joint comfort
Our Vet Pick: Best Chew
Our vets recommend Movoflex for a delicious once-a-day joint supplement chew that can improve mobility in dogs of all shapes and sizes.
This product’s unique blend of eggshell membrane and hyaluronic acid can help delay breakdown and regenerate cartilage.
Formulated without salt, sugar, gluten, or shellfish, this joint supplement chew for dogs may be a good choice for dogs with food sensitivities. In a clinical study of more than 500 dogs, 97% of pet parents reported it was easy to administer the chews to pups, and seven out of 10 noticed positive results within 28 days.
- Once-daily administration
- Ideal for dogs on restricted diets
- Available in small, medium, and large breed sizes
- National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) quality seal
Our Vet Pick: Best Capsule
VetriSCIENCE's Vetri-Disc is our vet’s pick for the best joint support in a capsule. While it was formulated specifically for dogs with IVDD (intervertebral disc disease), a degenerative disease that can cause back pain or neck pain, this supplement is also popular for pet parents wanting to support their pup’s overall joint health.
Our expert vets like this product because it contains amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and bovine cartilage. These ingredients are necessary for the support and may enhance a dog’s normal repair of connective tissue, especially in breeds predisposed to back or neck issues.
- Capsules can be cut open and sprinkled onto food
- Initially formulated for dogs with IVDD
- Rich source of chondroitin sulfates which are abundant in spinal tissue
- May take four to six weeks to become effective
Our Vet Pick: Best with GLM
Our vets chose GlycoFlex as the best joint supplement that contains green-lipped mussels (GLM).
GLMs are whole-food organisms that are high in joint comforting omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin, and glucosamine, which have been shown to provide support for dogs showing signs of aging and discomfort
Our vets aren’t the only ones who love this product trusted by pet parents for over 40 years. In a clinical study, dogs receiving GlycoFlex® showed a 41% increase in hind-leg strength after four weeks of treatment.
- Also contains MSM
- Clinical study determined effectiveness in some dogs
- Chicken liver may be an issue for dogs with certain food sensitivities
- GLMs are packed with 57 nutritional factors that can promote good joint health in dogs
Our Vet Pick: Best Joint Supplement for Large Dogs
Our vet pick for the best joint supplement for large dogs is Phycox’s Max, which can be given to dogs up to 120 pounds and more.
It has 1,000 mg of methylsulfonylmethane, which is a much higher concentration than other joint supplements on the list. MSM is a naturally occurring compound found in rainwater that can help the production of cartilage and the growth of bone tissue.
This dog joint supplement also carries the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) quality seal, and contains phycocyanin derived from blue-green algae, which is an antioxidant that maintains a normal inflammatory response.
Other ingredients include flaxseed oil, antioxidants, green tea extract, turmeric, and cinnamon, all of which have properties that help maintain healthy joints.
- NASC quality seal
- For dogs as large as 120 pounds+
- Food-sensitive options available
- Pricier than other options
Our Vet Pick: Best with UC-II
According to our vets, Flexadin Advanced is the No. 1 joint supplement containing UC-II. Unlike other joint supplement ingredients, UC-II is a collagen compound believed to support the immune system in maintaining cartilage and connective tissue.
Our vets note this daily chew from a reputable brand, Vetoquinol, is a healthy mixture of UCII and antioxidants like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E.
- Only one chew needs to be given per day
- Ideal for homes with different-sized dogs
- Formulated for both dogs and cats
- Does not contain glucosamine
- Chicken liver may be an issue for dogs with food sensitivities
Our Vet Pick: Best with Omega
Welactin is our vets’ pick for best supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown in clinical studies to help support skin and coat health as well as heart, kidney, brain, vision, and immune system function.
This product won best omega supplement because it is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This supplement can also act as a great all-around supplement for older dogs, as omega-3 has other possible benefits like combating dry skin while supporting heart health, brain health, and kidney health.
This fish oil supplement is made from fresh-caught coldwater fish and has simple ingredients that most dogs love to chow on.
- Available in liquid, soft gel and soft chew
- Formulated with fresh-caught coldwater fish
- May alter a dog’s breath after extended use
- Available in liquid, soft gel, and soft chew
Our Vet Pick: Best for Seniors
Our vets selected Cosequin as the best joint supplement for senior dogs.
Perfect for canines of advancing years, these soft chews are easy to eat and contain glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, yeast, and omega-3 fatty acids. All of these work in tandem and may help maintain a normal inflammatory response, lubricate joints, and ease joint stiffness during normal daily exertion and activity.
Our expert vets like this product for senior pups because it doesn’t need to be given with food like some other joint supplements on the list, and the added omega-3 fatty acids may support brain health, heart health, and kidney function.
- The daily maintenance dose is only one chew
- Veterinary-formulated with high-quality ingredients
- Tasty chews are a great treat alternative
