Are you giving your dog the right joint supplement?

Joint Supplements for Dogs: What Works and What Doesn't

As dogs age or develop joint issues like arthritis, many owners turn to joint supplements to support their mobility. But with so many options available, its easy to get overwhelmed or waste money on products that may not be effective.

What I use

I now give Freja 4Cyte, a clinically backed supplement. We tried the granules on top of her food but she always left some in her bowl. The liquid allows easy measuring and seems to be more palatable to my princess!!

Freja and the liquid 4Cyte 

My pet hate on supplements

Many owners give their dog any, and all, supplements they can get their hands on! I find this really troubling. Of course I know what it feels to want to try everything to help your dog but by them taking so many you won't know which one works (if any) and not only be wasting lots of money, but perhaps even giving your dog a tummy ache in the process!

My recommendation is that you give one supplement at a time. Try it for a few weeks or up to a couple of months, and see if it helps them. 

Do they walk easier? Walk further? Limp less?

Then if you want add another supplement then you can do so with the same process. Trial it, wait for it to take effect, watch for changes then decide to continue it or not.

The point of a supplement 

Joint supplements can:

- Support cartilage health - slowing down wear and tear

- Reduce inflammation - potentially decreasing pain

- Improve joint lubrication - decreasing stiffness 

 But they are not a substitute for pain relief.

They should be used in addition to prescribed pain medication. If your dog is in pain, a supplement alone won't solve the problem. Please talk to your vet about it.

Clinically proven joint supplements

Not all supplements are created equal. Some ingredients have stronger evidence than others. Here are the ones with solid research behind them:

Green-lipped mussel (GLM) - Rich in omega-3s and natural anti-inflammatory compounds, GLM is found in 4Cyte, one of the most well-researched joint supplements for dogs. 

Glucosamine & Chondroitin - These compounds help maintain cartilage and joint function. While widely used, their effectiveness varies between dogs.

Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II) - Some studies suggest UC-II can help modulate the immune response in arthritis, reducing joint inflammation.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) - A sulfur compound that may reduce inflammation and support connective tissue.

Please remember, that even if a supplement works well for one dog it doesn't guarantee it will work for another, and of course the reverse it true too!    

Why supplements aren't enough

As we mentioned above, joint supplements can help improve joint health, however, it isn't effective pain relief and nor do they help grow muscles!

If your dog has leg weakness and muscle wastage, a tablet will not help reverse it!

This is where targeted strengthening exercises come in. Muscles only grow when they do the exercises to get them bigger and stronger!

Have a look and see which exercises are best to help your dog!

App or program? Which exercises are best?

Main points to remember: 

When considering a joint supplement:

1. Choose one with clinically backed ingredients
2. Introduce one at a time to assess effectiveness
3. Don't expect it to replace pain relief or rehab
4. Pair it with strengthening exercises for the best results

All my best,

Kylie 💙🐾

Physiotherapist

Exercise advocate for dogs