The 7 Best Glucosamine Supplements for Dogs of 2022

Best Overall

Nutramax Cosequin Maximum Strength Joint Supplement for Dogs

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Unlike many glucosamine supplements, Nutramax Cosequin Maximum Strength Joint Health Plus MSM & HA has been scientifically researched and shown to improve mobility in dogs making it a top recommendation by veterinarians.

Manufactured in the United States, in addition to glucosamine HCl from shellfish and chondroitin sulfate from bovine cartilage, this supplement contains added methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and sodium hyaluronate, also known as hyaluronic acid (HA). MSM is a common anti-inflammatory used to treat osteoarthritis and other tendon and ligament disorders. It also promotes healthy digestion. You may recognize HA because it is common in human skincare products. In dog supplements, it keeps joints hydrated and increases the thickness or viscosity of the fluid in their joints providing a cushion between their bones.

These chewable tablets come in 60 and 120 count. They’re suitable for all ages, so large breeds will need a larger dose based on weight. Nutramax recommends an initial daily dose for four to six weeks and then transitioning to a maintenance dose that is about half the initial dose thereafter.

Owners report that after trying several different supplements, their dogs were noticeably more active and mobile after taking this brand. This brand also comes in lower concentrations of standard and double strength, in other formulations and as soft chews.

Best Budget

Happy Hips Chicken Jerky

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Some glucosamine supplements can be spendy and there’s always a chance your dog will turn their nose up because of the wrong smell. Happy Hips Chicken Jerky is both affordable (around $0.75/ounce) and customers report that dogs love them.

Happy Hips treats are high in protein content—made from antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken from U.S. sources—to help sustain and build muscle strength throughout their active lives and long into their senior years. They’re also low in fat to prevent weight gain that can put extra pressure on sore joints.

Happy Hips are grain-free, so they're suitable for dogs that are allergic to corn or wheat. A bonus is that dogs love the taste so it’s easy to get a daily dose into even the pickiest eaters. Happy Hips is also available in a duck recipe with added chicken hearts and liver.

Best for Small Breeds

Nodens Small Dog Hip and Joint Liquid Glucosamine

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Most supplements come in doses for all sizes of dogs, meaning you might need to give your small dog a tiny fraction of a single chew or treat. You can remove the guesswork and get the exact right dose by using a liquid designed specifically for dosing small dogs. Nodens Small Dog Hip and Joint is an excellent option.

You might notice “USP” on the label ingredients list. That means those ingredients are made to meet or exceed the United States Pharmacopeia standards set by the Food and Drug Administration for human and animal consumption. Nodens also notes that although most MSM is sourced from China, theirs is of the highest purity and comes from U.S. sources. 

The beef-flavored daily dose is based on weight and can be given directly into the dog’s mouth or dripped over their food. Made in the United States, one two-ounce bottle should last a 10-pound dog about 2 months.

Nodens has a 1-year shelf life and recommends refrigerating the bottle after opening. Notes that the manufacturer warns: “Consult your vet before using this product in dogs with clotting disorders, on anticoagulant medications, diabetes or metabolic disorder causing hypoglycemia, a history of urinary tract stones and allergies to shellfish.”

Best for Large Breeds

Nutriline Flex EZ Glucosamine Chondroitin Soft Chews for Dogs

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Supplements formulated for a wide range of dog sizes can require that you dose your large dog breeds with four or five chews a day. That can get spendy and you risk not getting a full dose into your dog. Nutriline Labs Flex-EZ Joint Supplement has a formula specifically designed for large and giant breeds that are 60 pounds or more in size.

In addition to glucosamine and chondroitin, Flex-EZ also contains turmeric, Boswellia, MSM, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, is an herbal extract from the Boswellia serrata tree. Research suggests this traditional medicine is can help with the stympoms of osteoarthritic disease in dogs. It also contains EPA and DHA, which are omega-3 fatty acids that occur naturally in fish.

Pork liver and fish oil ingredients appeal to most dogs, so you won’t have to struggle to get your pet to take a daily dose. The dose can be halved after the first four to six weeks.

Best Liquid

Paramount Pet Liquid Vitamins for Dogs

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Many pet parents prefer to use a liquid over chews or tablets because it’s easy to dispense and can be dribbled over food or given directly. Liquids can also be more readily absorbed than some pills and chews. Paramount Pet Health Liquid Vitamins Skin and Coat Support Dog Supplement is one way to make sure you have all of your dog’s vitamin and mineral needs covered including glucosamine and chondroitin. Also included are several anti-oxidants—MSM, EPA, DHA and coenzyme Q10—that reduce the inflammation that can damage joint cartilage.

An added bonus, these liquid vitamins also contain a minimum of 1 billion CFU (colony forming units) of probiotics to promote healthy digestion and absorption. 

Best Powder

Herbsmith Sound Dog Viscosity

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Using a powder can be an easy way to give supplements to your dog. You can sprinkle it over their food and powders are generally readily absorbed. Herbsmith Sound Dog Viscosity Advanced Joint Support has an excellent blend of ingredients that support healthy joint maintenance while also reducing inflammation and pain. In addition to high concentrations of glucosamine and chondroitin, this powder includes corydalis, a plant that has been used as a pain reliever in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. One active ingredient in corydalis is called dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB), which has been shown in laboratory studies in mice as effective against inflammatory pain and injury-related neuropathic pain. DHCB doesn’t heal the joint, but it blocks pain signals from reaching the brain the way some prescription painkillers work.

Like Nutriline Flex-EZ, this supplement also includes MSM, Boswellia and curcumin that promote healthy joint function and reduce inflammation. While the yucca plant is toxic to dogs, the yucca root in this supplement is known to reduce swelling and inflammation and promote healthy digestion. 

Made in the U.S., this supplement comes in 75 g, 150 g and 500 g sizes so you can choose that amount based on the size of your dog. You can also get a similar blend from Herbsmith in small and large chews.