Osteoarthritis, a disease that affects joints and hips, plagues up to 20% of dogs over 1 year old across North America. It’s one of the most common forms of dog arthritis, and joint supplements for dogs can be very helpful in managing the pain and other symptoms, such as limping. Let’s take a closer look at the most common joint supplements, how they work, and when the vets recommend them.

Key takeaways: 

• Joint supplements support cartilage, reduce inflammation, and help maintain mobility.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin are the most research-backed nutraceuticals for canine joint health.
• Supplements work best alongside weight management, exercise, and veterinary care.
• Side effects are usually mild but should be considered based on your dog’s health history.
• Maven Pet helps detect early mobility changes so owners can act before discomfort worsens.

What Are Joint Supplements for Dogs and When Are They Needed?

Joint supplements for dogs are nutrients that support cartilage, reduce inflammation, and help your pooch maintain comfortable mobility. The usual compounds are glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids, but there are others as well. 

Dogs typically need joint supplements when they are developing arthritis or stiffness. Studies have shown that dogs with osteoarthritis often benefit from long-term nutraceutical support in combination with other treatments. 

Certain breeds, like Labradors, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers, have a higher risk of developing hip dysplasia, so most owners resort to more proactive care and start administering supplements to make their lives more comfortable in the long run. 

Additionally, after 6 to 8 years, the natural wear and tear of the cartilage will begin to become apparent, and these supplements can help slow its progression. 

Why Glucosamine for Dogs Helps Joint Health

Glucosamine is a compound that is naturally found in healthy cartilage. When glucosamine for dogs is administered, it can support cartilage repair, slow down cartilage breakdown, and reduce inflammation in arthritic joints. 

Dogs with osteoarthritis have shown improved weight-bearing and mobility after receiving glucosamine and chondroitin, because the disease slowly erodes the cartilage that cushions joints. With glucosamine, the cartilage’s ability to repair increases. 

You shouldn’t think of it as a painkiller, though. It’s a supportive means that can help improve joint mobility and reduce wear and tear. 

“I got the Maven sensor for my 14-year-old Chihuahua mix with heart and trachea issues. It gave me back peace of mind – I can track her RRR, BPM, drinking, and activity anytime and know instantly if something’s wrong. Highly recommend!”

★★★★★

Chiara De Luca
Titti

Track your dog’s health!

Chondroitin for Dogs and Other Common Ingredients

Chondroitin is basically the “cartilage bodyguard” for dogs. While glucosamine brings the building blocks, chondroitin for dogs helps protect what’s already there by keeping cartilage hydrated and slowing down the enzymes that like to break it apart. 

It works best as a duo, which is why vets often recommend glucosamine plus chondroitin for dogs dealing with early arthritis or everyday stiffness.

You’ll also see a few other familiar faces listed proven ingredients in dog joint supplements:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA): Derived from fish oil, they can help calm inflammatory pathways in arthritic joints and reduce discomfort in dogs with chronic arthritis.
• Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus): A natural source of omega-3s and glycosaminoglycans with prominent anti-inflammatory features. 
• Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid maintains healthy joint fluid, improves lubrication, and shock absorption in weight-bearing joints.
• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): This compound is believed to support connective tissue health through its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The research is still developing, but it’s generally considered safe and highly beneficial. 
• Collagen peptides: These support the structural integrity of cartilage and connective tissue, especially in active or aging dogs.

Best Joint Supplement for Dogs: Vet Considerations

“Joint supplements work best when started early — before major mobility loss begins. Subtle behavior changes are often the first signs of discomfort.” — Joana Babo, DVM, Veterinarian at Maven Pet

When vets choose the best joint supplement for dogs, they’re looking at clinical evidence and safety. Ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3s, and green-lipped mussel consistently show the strongest support in veterinary studies, so they’re the usual starting point.

Side effects do happen, but they’re usually mild. The most common are digestive upset, especially when a dog first starts glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, or fish oil. Dogs with shellfish allergies may react to certain forms of glucosamine, and high-dose omega-3s can be tricky for pups with clotting disorders or a history of pancreatitis. This is why vets look closely at a dog’s medical background before recommending anything.

When Supplements Aren’t Enough (Vet care, weight, exercise)

Sometimes joint supplements do a nice job taking the edge off, but they are rarely enough. That’s why veterinarians often pair supplements with targeted exercise, weight control, and hands-on care.

Even a few extra pounds can significantly increase joint load, which is why healthy weight is arguably the #1 arthritis-management tool. Movement is also important. Controlled leash walks, swimming, or structured physical therapy helps maintain muscle mass, which in turn stabilizes the joints and reduces pain. 

When needed, your vet can add prescription pain relief, anti-inflammatory medications, or rehab therapies such as laser or acupuncture to round out the plan. 

The key is the combination of all these activities and not just relying on joint supplements for dogs to handle things. 

How Maven Pet Helps Track Early Joint Pain and Mobility Changes

Early joint pain in dogs can be sneaky. One day they can be chasing after balls in the park and the next hey’re slowing down just enough that you think you noticed something. This is where Maven Pet’s pet health tracker comes to the forefront. 

Maven helps close that gap by tracking your dog’s movement patterns long before stiffness becomes obvious.The lightweight collar sensor records activity around the clock and can pick up subtle shifts in how your dog walks, plays, rests, and recovers. 

Monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, activity & rest, drinking, itch behavior.

Track your dog’s health

What makes Maven’s dog health tracker especially helpful for joint discomfort is the way it translates raw movement into simple insights. You get clear events like “Adventure,” “Rest Break,” or longer-than-usual downtime. These early dips can be gentle warning signs of joint pain in the making or just overexertion, especially in seniors or big-breed dogs, but it pays to know these things. 

The pet health app also adds something most trackers miss: context. If your dog shows a sudden drop in activity, Maven prompts quick in-app checkups where you can note things like weather changes, routine shifts, or new supplements or medications. That combination of data + context makes it easier to spot when a pattern doesn’t fit the usual story.

Conclusion

Glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3s are helpful tools in managing joint pain in dogs, but they’re only part of the picture. You need to put a balanced plan in action and rely on supplements, gentle movement, weight control, and good veterinary guidance to make the biggest impact. If you want an easier way to spot subtle mobility shifts before they become real problems, Maven Pet can help you stay one step ahead. Early insight means earlier care and a more comfortable, active life for your dog.

Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.