A Guide to Supplements & Vitamins for Dog Joints

When your dog feels great, they don't just move better – they live better. And that's what it's all about. We always want our precious pets to feel their best, but as they grow and age, what they need to keep their joints feeling tiptop can change.

"Healthy joints that move freely allow your dog to bend, stretch, run, jump and do all the things they love to do each day," says Dr. Charlotte Rice, BVSc PgC(SAC) MRCVS, Senior Vet Technical Manager at YuMOVE. "Even the simplest movements, like getting onto the sofa or getting up to greet you at the door, use joints, so it's important to look after them."

In this blog, we dig into the fundamentals of supplements for dogs’ joints – what they are, how they work, and the ingredients to look for – so you can feel good, knowing they feel good.

What's good for dogs' joints?

Keeping your dog's joints happy and healthy comes down to a combination of consistent daily actions, because dog joint support should be approached holistically. 

Here are a few things that are important to consider for your dog’s joints:

• Weight and a balanced diet: Carrying extra weight can put pressure on their joints, so it's important to keep them at a healthy weight.
• The right amount of exercise: Too much or overly strenuous exercise can put extra pressure on their joints, and too little can lead to weight gain, making it harder for them to be active and mobile.
• Accessible home adaptations: Think raised bowls, non-slip mats, and stairs or ramps to their favourite spots and the car.
• Joint supplements for dogs: High-quality joint supplements for dogs with the right ingredients can support dogs of all ages.
• Regular vet checks: As we see our dogs every day, it can be hard to spot when they’re slowing down. Regular vet checks will help you keep on top of your dog’s wellbeing and make sure nothing is missed. Talk to your vet to find out if your dog is the right weight, how much exercise they should get, and which supplements could support them best.

8 ingredients and vitamins to look for in dog joint supplements

While some supplements for dogs’ joints have similar sounding ingredients, not all are created equal! Here's what to look out for.

1. Green Lipped Mussel

Green Lipped Mussel (GLM) is a superfood full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3s, which help soothe joints. The quality of GLM can vary, so it’s important to buy from a reputable brand.

Our Joint Care range contains our unique and sustainably sourced ActivEase® Green Lipped Mussel, which is dried quickly to ensure it reaches our highest standards for Omega-3 fatty acids.

2. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a building block of joint fluid – the fluid that lubricates the joint and helps keep it moving freely. Dogs with occasional joint stiffness often have less Hyaluronic Acid within their joint fluid.

3. Glucosamine

Glucosamine helps supply building blocks found in healthy joint structures, which helps keep your pet's cartilage healthy and strong. This gives their joints the support they need to help keep wagging, stretching and moving with ease.

4. Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are important in helping soothe joints and supporting mobility. Dr Charlotte says, "Omega-3 fatty acids are part of a family of important fats that dogs cannot make on their own, so they must obtain from their diet. Omega-3s help to support your dog's normal inflammatory response, so they’re an important ingredient to consider when supporting your dog’s joints."

5. Vitamin E

Vitamin E for dogs is important as an antioxidant, helping to maintain mobility and mop up any free radicals produced in the joint.

6. Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to mop up free radicals produced in the joint. Paired with Vitamin E, like in YuMOVE supplements for dog joints, the result is even better!

7. Manganese

Manganese is an essential mineral that supports collagen formation in the cartilage, tendons and ligaments, and is important for growth and overall joint health. Dogs can't produce Manganese, so they have to get it from what they eat – supplements are a great way to include it.

8. Fish oil

Fish oil is another great source of Omega-3s, but the amount of Omega-3s can vary depending on the oil's source and processing method. Look for third-party tested products free from toxins, specifically for pets.

What are joint supplements for dogs?

Joint supplements come in all shapes and formats – tablets, chews, capsules, powders and liquids – and they're designed to help keep your dog's joints healthy and active. They're often packed with vitamins and nutrients to support their diet and joints at each different life stage.

How do supplements work for dogs?

Supplements can play an important role as part of a plan for managing occasional joint stiffness in dogs. They should be formulated with specific ingredients, such as Omega-3s, Glucosamine and Hyaluronic Acid that can promote joint health by supporting joint structure and soothing and lubricating the joints.

If you’re worried about your dog’s mobility, you should always talk to your vet.

Do joint supplements work for dogs?

Yes, joint supplements can help to soothe your dog's joints with Omega-3s, support their mobility and help keep them happy and active. We're actually so confident our supplements will work for your dog, we offer a guarantee! See a difference in just 6 weeks, or your money back.* 

From what age can dogs benefit from joint supplements?

While owners often think joint supplements are just for older dogs, they can be given to dogs of all ages. The key is to find a product designed specifically for your dog's age or mobility stage and keep in touch with your vet about what they would recommend.

Here's how dogs can benefit from joint supplements at different life stages:

• Young dogs: Being proactive and taking steps to support your young dog's health as they grow can only be a good thing! Make sure to look for a product designed to support growing dogs.
• Adult dogs: As they reach their adolescent and adult years, your dog may need more joint support to keep them feeling great. Look for supplements formulated to support adult dogs.
• Older dogs: As dogs age, they may need even more support from stronger supplements with higher levels of ingredients. They may also show signs of occasional dog joint stiffness. Try a Max Strength supplement or one formulated for senior dogs.

Our joint supplements for dogs

Your dog never sits still, and neither do our scientists and vets! That’s just one of the reasons we’re the UK’s no.1 vet-recommended joint supplement brand* and are rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with more than 70,000 reviews! 

Backed by 15 years of scientific research, we’re obsessed with creating the most effective supplements in the world for the pets who are the centre of yours.

Not sure which YuMOVE Joint Supplement is right for your dog? Head to our Joint Care Quiz to find out.