Seeing your dog slow down — hesitating on the stairs, avoiding long walks, or choosing the couch over playtime — can be heartbreaking. While aging can certainly affect mobility, a sudden decrease in activity shouldn’t be brushed off as “just getting old.” Joint problems, especially arthritis, are incredibly common in senior dogs and often require veterinary attention.
Arthritis isn't curable, but with the right treatment plan you can help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and improve your dog’s quality of life. For many dogs, daily joint supplements become an important part of that plan.
Joint supplements can support dogs in many ways — from easing discomfort to improving mobility — and they're not just for seniors. Young dogs with joint injuries or predispositions, like hip or elbow dysplasia, may benefit as well.
But with so many supplements on the market, how do you know which ones actually help?
Here’s your complete guide to choosing the best joint supplement for your dog — plus our top picks.
Our Top Joint Supplement Picks
- Best fish oil supplement: Nordic Naturals
- Best green-lipped mussel oil: Antinol
- Best senior dog supplement: Standard Process Canine Musculoskeletal Support
- Best muscle-building supplement: MYOS Canine Muscle Formula
- Best hemp chews: STRELLA LAB Hemp Chews for Dogs
- Best hemp oil: Billion Pets Pure Organic Hemp Oil
How Joint Supplements Help Dogs
Joint supplements can offer major benefits, including:
- Reducing inflammation
- Slowing cartilage breakdown
- Supporting the entire musculoskeletal system
- Relieving chronic pain
- Improving mobility and comfort
For dogs with degenerative joint disease or arthritis, these supplements can help manage long-term discomfort and are commonly used alongside other treatments like medication or physical rehabilitation.
Veterinarians often recommend a combination of nutraceuticals, medications, and therapies such as acupuncture or underwater treadmill sessions. Your vet can help you build a tailored plan based on your dog’s needs.
Important Joint-Support Ingredients to Look For
Glucosamine Hydrochloride
Helps build cartilage and provides mild anti-inflammatory effects.
Chondroitin Sulfate
Blocks harmful enzymes that break down cartilage and supports new cartilage formation.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA)
Found in fish oils and krill oil, these powerful anti-inflammatories improve mobility in arthritic dogs.
Green-Lipped Mussel Oil
Rich in glucosamine, chondroitin, and ETA — a unique omega-3 that’s highly effective for easing arthritis symptoms.
Turmeric (Curcumin)
Used in veterinary medicine as an anti-inflammatory, though more research is still needed.
Boswellia
Shown in studies to reduce pain and stiffness within six weeks.
CBD
May help with inflammation and pain. Early studies show promising results for reducing arthritis discomfort.
How to Choose a High-Quality Joint Supplement
When shopping for a supplement, make sure it is:
- Recommended by your veterinarian
- Approved by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC)
- Independently ingredient-verified
- Supported by third-party clinical studies
- Free from exaggerated or misleading claims
- Formulated specifically for dogs
Best Joint Supplements for Dogs: Detailed Picks
Best Fish Oil: Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet
Known for their human-grade supplements, Nordic Naturals uses wild-caught sardines and anchovies and maintains strict purity standards. Their facility follows sustainable, zero-waste practices.
Best Green-Lipped Mussel Oil: Antinol
Made from mussels sourced in Nelson, New Zealand, Antinol contains cold-extracted PCSO-524, preserving key nutrients usually lost in heat processing. Safe for daily long-term use.
Best Senior Joint Support: Standard Process Canine Musculoskeletal Support
This supplement supports not just the joints but the entire musculoskeletal system — muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and organs — making it a solid choice for preventative care in aging dogs.
Best Muscle Builder: MYOS Canine Muscle Formula
Building muscle can significantly improve mobility, especially in senior dogs. MYOS helps support muscle growth while reducing inflammation.
Best Hemp Chews: STRELLA LAB Hemp Chews for Dogs
STRELLA LAB combines Hemp seed oil with glucosamine and chondroitin for powerful joint support. These treats are made in United States, are GMO-free, don't contain any soy, grain, hormones, sugar, dairy, artificial flavorings or preservatives.
Best Hemp Oil: Billion Pets Pure Organic Hemp Oil
Highly concentrated formula from 100% organic hemp extract speeds essential fatty acids, flavonoids, antioxidants and trace minerals to ease discomfort.
Prescription Options for Arthritis
Your veterinarian may also recommend medications such as:
Adequan
An injectable osteoarthritis drug that helps repair damaged cartilage and provides strong pain and inflammation relief.
Gabapentin
Helps manage chronic pain by reducing pain signals in the brain.
Amantadine
Blocks nerve pain signals through NMDA receptor inhibition.
NSAIDs
Reduce inflammation and provide pain relief (examples: Rimadyl, Metacam, Galliprant).
Your vet may also suggest rehab therapies like laser treatment, acupuncture, or underwater treadmill sessions to complement supplements and medication.
Supporting Your Dog Long-Term
With a consistent supplement routine and a treatment plan designed by your veterinarian, you can help reduce your dog’s pain, slow the progression of arthritis, and keep him comfortable and active for years to come.
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