Do Joint Supplements Help Dogs With Arthritis?
If your dog has arthritis, you may have seen shelves full of joint chews, oils, powders, and supplements.
But do they actually work?
Researchers have studied many of these products. Some have good evidence behind them. Others may not work as well as their labels suggest.
What Is a Joint Supplement?
Joint supplements are products that are meant to support joint health or comfort.
They may contain ingredients such as:
- omega-3 fatty acids
- fish oil
- glucosamine
- chondroitin
- collagen
- green-lipped mussel
- other plant or nutritional ingredients
These products are often called nutraceuticals.
They are not tested and approved in the same way as prescription medications. That makes product quality and research especially important.
What Does the Research Say?
A large research review published in 2022 looked at 72 studies involving dogs and cats with osteoarthritis.
Researchers compared several types of supplements and special diets.
Here is what they found.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s had some of the strongest evidence.
Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly found in fish oil and some veterinary therapeutic diets.
Studies found that omega-3 enriched diets and supplements may help improve comfort and mobility in pets with osteoarthritis.
This does not mean every fish oil product is the same.
The amount of omega-3, product quality, your pet's diet, medications, and health conditions can all matter.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are probably two of the best-known joint supplement ingredients.
However, the research review found little evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin reduce arthritis pain in dogs and cats.
That may surprise many pet owners because these ingredients are found in many popular joint products.
Collagen
Some collagen supplements may help, but the research is not as strong.
Many studies were small or used research methods that made it harder to know how much benefit came from the supplement.
More research is needed.
CBD
Some studies involving dogs with arthritis have reported positive results with CBD.
However, research is still developing.
Different products can contain very different amounts and types of CBD, and CBD can also interact with medications.
Talk with your veterinarian before giving CBD or similar products to your pet.
Supplement Quality Matters
Not every supplement contains exactly what you expect from reading the label.
When considering a supplement, look for companies that use independent quality testing and provide clear information about their ingredients.
Organizations such as Canine Arthritis Resources and Education also recommend looking for established manufacturers and recognized quality programs.
Your veterinarian can help you choose an appropriate product for your dog.
Supplements Are Only One Part of Arthritis Care
Arthritis usually cannot be managed with one product alone.
A complete plan may include:
- healthy weight management
- appropriate exercise
- veterinary rehabilitation
- home exercise
- changes around the home
- pain management prescribed by your veterinarian
- nutrition
- joint supplements when appropriate
The best plan depends on the individual dog.
The Bottom Line
Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids have some of the strongest evidence among nutritional supplements used for canine osteoarthritis.
Other popular ingredients, especially glucosamine and chondroitin, do not have the same level of evidence for reducing arthritis pain.
Before starting or changing a supplement, talk with your veterinarian.
They can help determine what is appropriate based on your dog's health, medications, diet, and treatment plan.
Sources and Further Reading
Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE)
Do Joint Supplements for Pets Actually Work?
https://caninearthritis.org/do-joint-supplements-for-pets-actually-work/
Barbeau-Grégoire M, et al. (2022)
A 2022 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Enriched Therapeutic Diets and Nutraceuticals in Canine and Feline Osteoarthritis.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Vandeweerd JM, et al. (2012)
Systematic review of efficacy of nutraceuticals to alleviate clinical signs of osteoarthritis.
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
This information is provided for general education and is not a substitute for veterinary medical advice. Talk with your veterinarian before starting, stopping, or changing your pet's supplements, medications, diet, or treatment plan.
