Best Joint Health Supplements for Dogs: Protect Their Every Step

Have you noticed your pooch is a little sore in the morning? Maybe he's not moving as quickly or as smoothly as he used to. Discover the best joint health supplements for dogs to support mobility, ease discomfort, and keep them leaping with joy. From glucosamine to omega-3s, we’re covering the top picks to keep tails wagging strong!

Hip and joint health is a top concern for many dog owners. Whether your pup is getting older and showing signs of sore joints, your playful pooch is recovering from a recent injury, or you are raising a large breed that is predisposed to hip and joint concerns, the right dog joint health supplement can make a difference. 

While many factors contribute to your dog's overall hip and joint health, there are some healthy supplements you can add to your dog's diet to help protect hip and joint health and reduce some of the stiffness and discomfort that can come along with it.

In this post, you'll find healthy and natural remedies for dog mobility, long-term joint care solutions, and tips on preventing joint issues in large breeds.

Signs of Hip and Joint Issues in Dogs

Hip and joint issues can present themselves in a variety of ways. Dogs are often good at hiding their pain, so it's important to familiarize yourself with signs of hip and joint pain in dogs so that you can catch problems early. This will make treatment more effective in the long run.

Additionally, understanding when preventative hip and joint care is needed can help you get ahead of problems and reduce long-term mobility issues as your dog reaches their senior years.

Here are common signs that your dog is dealing with hip and joint issues:

• • Slow to get up, especially on smooth surfaces
  • Avoiding jumping onto furniture or climbing stairs
  • Excessive licking or chewing on hips and joints
  • Whining or wincing when sensitive areas are touched
  • Lameness or unsteady balance
  • Significant changes in gait
  • Not putting weight on a limb
  • Muscle wasting
  • Noticeable reduction in activity
  • Incontinence or difficulty defecating
  • Behavioural changes, including aggression
  • Loss of appetite

All of these symptoms can present in varying degrees, which can make them difficult to spot. Take note of any noticeable changes to your dog's mobility, routine, and behaviours. This can help you identify patterns or recurring behaviours that may indicate your dog is in pain.

Some dogs can benefit from a preventative care routine targeting hip and joint health as early as puppyhood. This could be due to breed or predisposition due to breeding, or it could be a factor of lifestyle.

• • Large and giant breeds
  • Short-legged breeds, like corgies and dachshunds
  • Stocky breeds, like Bulldogs and pugs
  • Working, like Australian Shepherds and Belgian Malinois
  • Sporting breeds, like spaniels and retrievers

Talk to your vet about your dog's hip and joint health. Make sure you talk about things like breed, lifestyle, healthy weight, and diet to determine the best joint supplement for dogs to prevent and treat hip and joint issues.

Natural Joint Repair Supplements for Dogs

As you go through our list of the best joint health supplements below, you will see many ingredients in common. These natural and healthy ingredients are some of the most effective options for treating hip and joint issues in dogs, so it's no surprise that most available options in Canada will use a combination of two or more of these ingredients.

Here are a few of the most effective ingredients used in dog joint care aids:

• • Glucosamine: protects and repairs connective tissues
  • Chondroitin: protects and replenishes cartilage
  • Omega 3 Fatty Acids: reduce inflammation and support healthier digestion of nutrients
  • MSM: Powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
  • Hyaluronic Acid: natural joint lubricant
  • Green Lipped Mussel: natural source of glucosamine and omega fatty acids
  • Boswellia: anti-inflammatory
  • Collagen: protects connective tissues
  • Turmeric: anti-inflammatory

Each of these ingredients offers benefits that can help treat hip and joint issues, but for most dogs, finding the right blend of these ingredients can help drastically improve mobility, reduce wear and tear on the joints, and minimize pain associated with hip and joint issues.

You may see some of these ingredients in your dog's food, too! These low doses are typically sufficient for mild preventative care, so large breed and senior dog formulas often contain these. Just make sure you take these into account when offering additional supplementation.

Best Hip & Joint Supplements for Dogs

Different supplements offer different benefits, which is why there is no one joint health supplement for dogs that works for every pet and every situation. Options meant for prevention will be less potent or use different ingredients than joint supplements geared to advanced hip and joint support.

Below is a carefully compiled list of some of the best joint supplements for dogs. We’ve included a range of product options to make hip and joint care easy. From powders to chewable tablets you'll find something that suits your dog’s specific needs.

1. Tri-Acta Joints Supplements

Tri-Acta offers an impressive blend of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM designed to tackle inflammation and cartilage breakdown in your dog. It’s considered one of the best joint supplements for dogs Canada because of its balanced ingredient profile and a strong reputation among Canadian pet owners.

One of the key benefits of Tri-Acta is that it helps your canine’s body maintain joint lubrication, reduces discomfort from daily wear and tear, and may improve mobility over time. Tri-Acta H.A. is an extra-strength formula that includes hyaluronic acid for extra joint lubrication and cartilage repair.

2. Purica Pet Recovery Extra Strength Chewable Tablets

Purica’s Pet Recovery chewable tablets focus on reducing inflammation while promoting overall mobility. Formulated with MSM, glucosamine, and other beneficial ingredients like beta-glucans, these Canadian-made chewable hip and joint tablets are convenient for picky dogs that dislike powders.

The “whole body health” aspect of Purica addresses more than just your dog’s joints. The supplement also helps support your doggo’s recovery from exercise and day-to-day wear and tear.

3. Vitapet Green Lipped Mussel

Green-lipped mussels are a natural source of glucosamine, chondroitin, and potent omega-3 fatty acids (like ETA). Vitapet Green Lipped Mussel provides a single-ingredient supplement that delivers these joint-supporting nutrients in a convenient, powdered format that your dog will love - think more treat than a mundane supplement.

Made from 100% New Zealand green-lipped mussels and manufactured right here in Canada, the powder is loved by canines and cats. This cartilage repair supplement is an excellent option if you want a whole-food approach to joint health. Great for dogs with food sensitivities, since it’s a simple, targeted formula.

4. Naturvet ArthriSoothe-Gold Advanced Care

Naturvet has a reputation for creating targeted pet supplements. Naturevet ArthriSoothe-Gold includes glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and hyaluronic acid to support cartilage and joint lubrication. It also contains vitamins and enzymes that work together to reduce inflammation. It also contains green-lipped mussels.

This canine joint supplement is particularly beneficial for older or larger-breed dogs who need the best bone and joint supplement for dogs with a broad ingredient spectrum. This is one of the more popular options for managing arthritis in older dogs.

5. Ultra Joint All Natural Pain Supplement

This easy-to-feed oil supplement is made from a blend of traditional hip and joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM to support connective tissue health. That alone can be a great treatment for preventing mobility issues as pets age, but Ultra Joint Pain Supplement is bolstered with hyaluronic acid, collagen, and Boswellia to reduce pain and joint inflammation.

All ingredients are human-grade, ensuring maximum digestibility and absorption. This oil is naturally flavoured with real peanut putter to make it a palatable addition to any meal, even for the pickiest of pets.

6. Thrive Equiments Reflex Chews

Chews are a simple and delicious way to offer support to dogs with mobility issues and sore joints. Thrive Equipments Reflex Soft Chews is a one-of-a-kind formula that contains proprietary ingredients Fruite-XB, a powerful anti-inflammatory, and EPAX 4020, which is a high-concentration omega-3 fatty acid blend.

Additionally, fish collagen, turmeric, and wild Alaskan salmon oil help make this one of the best hip and joint supplements for dogs. Naturally flavoured with trout and sweet potato, this therapeutic snack is a hit even with picky pets.

7. Omega Alpha E-Z Mobility

By combining a well-known and effective anti-inflammatory like MSM with carefully chosen roots and herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Omega Alpha E-Z Mobility can effectively reduce joint pain and increase mobility.

Omega Alpha EZ Mobility is a liquid supplement that can be added to meals to help give your dog back a little pep in their step. It's great for senior dogs with declining hip and joint health and for dogs recovering from injury.

8. Open Farm Bone Broth

Supporting your dog's hip and joint health can be preventative instead of reactive. Open Farm Bone Broth is an excellent source of easily digestible collagen to strengthen connective tissues that support bone and joint health in dogs.

Ideal for growing and adult dogs, this delicious hip and joint aid can be fed alone or used in combination with other joint supplements to provide a well-rounded joint support regimen. Use bone broth as a tasty meal topper for any diet or to rehydrate freeze-dried or dehydrated dog foods.

9. Omega Alpha HA 180

Omega Alpha Hyaluronic Acid is one of the more unique formulas on our list. This naturally occurring nutrient is a joint lubricant for dogs that helps to reduce friction and damage from wear and tear.

Around the age of 2 dogs stop producing hyaluronic acid, so adding this supplement to their diet can help adult and senior dogs protect the bones and connective tissues that keep them active and healthy.

Hyaluronic acid can help relieve pain and mild mobility issues caused by inflammation and deteriorating connective tissues. The liquid form can be especially helpful if your dog is finicky about powders or pills.

10. Blends for Life Joint Health+

Treating hip and joint issues naturally with real food ingredients can improve results. Blends for Life Joint Health+ contains powerful ingredients like green lipped mussel, horsetail, and turmeric to reduce inflammation and strengthen connective tissue health in the joints.

To maximize absorption and effectiveness this formula also contains ginger root and black pepper, making it one of the best joint supplements for senior dogs, dog arthritis, and dogs with sensitive digestion. This powdered omega-rich supplement for dogs can be easily sprinkled onto any type of dog food.

Each of our recommendations for the best hip and joint supplements for dogs is available in-store and online at Homes Alive Pets. Shop our full selection of hip and joint care for dogs in Canada. 

Tips for Feeding Joint Supplements for Dogs

After you purchase a supplement for your dog then it’s time to consider how you’ll introduce it to your pup. Below we’ll have a few tips to help ensure your dog loves the supplements.

• • Introduce Gradually: When you introduce a new supplement, do so slowly. Mix a small portion into your dog’s regular food, and gradually increase the recommended dose over a week or two.
  • Consistency Matters: It can take a few weeks or even months to see noticeable improvements in mobility and comfort after you start your dog on a supplement regime. Keep up the routine consistently for the best results.
  • Combine with a Healthy Lifestyle: Supplements aren’t magic bullets. Exercise, a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight are all crucial to supporting joint health.
  • Monitor for Changes: Keep an eye on your dog’s behaviour and mobility. If you notice less stiffness and more eagerness to play or climb stairs, that’s a good sign the supplement is working!
  • Check-In with Your Vet: Regular veterinary visits are essential, particularly if your dog has preexisting conditions like arthritis or if you’re unsure about dosage levels.

Give Your Dog the Support They Deserve

Seeing your dog struggle with stiff joints or reduced mobility is tough. Yes, it can be a natural part of aging but you want your beloved furry friend to be as comfortable as possible.

From the best hip joint supplement for senior dogs to the best joint care for puppies that need preventative care, you can find a formula that suits your dog’s needs.

Remember to look for supplements that include proven joint-supporting nutrients like collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, omega-3 fatty acids, and hyaluronic acid—these are the building blocks and the protectors of healthy joints.

And don’t forget the basics: keep your dog at a healthy weight, provide regular low-impact exercise (like walks or swimming), and schedule routine vet checkups to catch any concerns early.

No one knows your dog better than you do, and with a little research—plus guidance from your vet—you’ll be ready to pick the best joint supplement for dogs that helps your four-legged family member feel their best. Here’s to smoother walks, easier stair climbs, and plenty of tail-wagging joy in the days ahead!

Best Joint Supplements for Dog FAQs

What are the most effective joint supplements for dogs?

There is no one option that will work for every dog and every situation, but brands like Tri-Acta, Omega Alpha, and Naturvet offer some of the most well-rounded benefits for managing long-term hip and joint issues.

How do I choose the best joint supplement for my dog?

Choosing the right joint care supplement for dogs depends on what you are using it for. If you are treating pain and stiffness, then high-dose anti-inflammatories will be better. But if you are looking to slow the progression of joint deterioration due to old age, then glucosamine and chondroitin-rich options will be better. Talk to your vet to diagnose issues and potential issues to help choose the best joint supplement for dogs.

Is turmeric or glucosamine better for dogs?

While both supplements are good for hip and joint health, they offer different benefits. The most effective supplement would offer the anti-inflammatory and connective tissue support of each ingredient.

Does fish oil help dogs' joints?

Fish oil is high in omega 3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties. This can help to reduce discomfort in hips and joints and improve mobility.

What is natural and good for dog's joints?

Most hip and joint supplements use natural ingredients, but some of the best options come from real whole-food ingredients. Green lipped mussel, bone broth, and turmeric are all popular and effective options.