Summary
Do joint supplements for pets help?
Based on preliminary evidence, glucosamine and chondroitin may help reduce symptoms of degenerative joint disease in dogs and cats. MSM may help with muscle soreness (see What It Does).
What did CL's tests of joint supplements for pets find?
We tested products from Cosequin, RxVitamins, and ZestyPaws. One product was discovered to contain less than 10% of its listed chondroitin, and therefore, was Not Approved.
Which is the best joint supplement for pets?
Products that passed CL's tests for having the labeled amounts of ingredients and not exceeding our strict limits on heavy metal contamination are noted as Approved in the Results table, where they are also compared. Approved products that provided high quality ingredients at a reasonable price — indicating superior value — were our Top Pick for Dogs and Top Pick for Cats.
What dose of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM is usually given to pets?
- Glucosamine and chondroitin: These may be used separately, but most supplements contain a combination. For a 25-lb. pet, a typical daily dose is 500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride and 400 mg of chondroitin sulfate. Dosage for each of these ingredients should be adjusted depending on your pet's weight (see Dosage in ConsumerTips).
- MSM: An optimal dose has not been established.
Side effects of joint supplements for pets
Most of these ingredients can cause some gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea and diarrhea, and, although generally safe, some can interact with drugs, trigger allergies, or cause other side effects. MSM may have an aspirin-like effect and shouldn't be used by pets already taking blood-thinning medications, unless medically supervised (see Concerns and Cautions).
What other types of joint supplements are given to pets?
You may also want to read ConsumerLab's Reviews of supplements for pets that contain fish oil, turmeric, and CBD, all of which have been promoted for treating joint pain and inflammation in pets.
(Also see ConsumerLab's separate Review of Joint Health Supplements for People.)
