Veterinarians can all agree that recent times have witnessed a spike in joint pains among dogs. Surprisingly the solution to improving joint health is feeding your furry friend the best dog food with glucosamine and chondroitin.
The prevalent dog joint health problem is osteoarthritis, a rapidly growing issue affecting senior dogs. These joint problems often go undetected until they mature. By then, the only course of action is to manage the situation.
The larger the breed size, the greater the chances of facing joint health challenges. Most affected dog breeds include Great Danes, German Shepherds, Mastiffs, and Dachshunds. Glucosamine and chondroitin, a combination of sugar and amino acids, can help reduce inflammation of the joints.
Therefore, glucosamine is required to enhance your dog’s joint health and maintain its happy mood, regardless of age. Our guide will give you in-depth insight into the best dog food with glucosamine and chondroitin to maximize your dog’s joint health. Doing so, we will provide a detailed review of the five best dog food with glucosamine and chondroitin currently on the market.
- Bayer Synovi G4 – Overall Winner
- Zesty Paws Mobility Bites – Great Dog Food for Fussy Dogs
- Infinite Pet Life Supplements – Best for Senior Dogs
- GlycoFlex 3 by VetriScience – Supplements Enriched with Omega-3
- Doggie Dailies Supplements – Ideal for Inflammation
The 5 Best Dog Food With Glucosamine and Chondroitin
We reviewed various dog food with glucosamine and chondroitin to write this article and picked the best ones. Below, you’ll find reviews of each product, including the pros and cons. You can follow the links directly to the products if you know what you need in your dog food.
1. Bayer Synovi G4
A top of our list of best dog food with glucosamine and chondroitin is the increasingly popular Bayer Synovi G4. This supplement possesses certain features that make it a preferred choice for many canine pet owners. Firstly, it is soft and easily chewable; your pet is less likely to reject this dog food as a result.
Secondly, it is excellent at promoting hip bone and joint health in your dog’s body. Plus, it performs this task exceptionally well with dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages. With Bayer Synovi G4, your pet’s suppleness and agility are bolstered thanks to many ingredients, including Boswellia serrata. This natural ingredient is commonplace among Eastern medications. The meal is also a great source of chondroitin, a compound present in cartilage and other connective tissue. Other ingredients in this supplement are creatine, turmeric, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
We rank the Bayer Synovi G4 highly because it has passed rigorous tests. The tests include the quality audit that led to the drug earning the Quality Seal from the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC).
It is essential to use this joint supplement daily to guarantee results. Thankfully, its sweet poultry flavor will likely endear your dog to it.
Pros
- Excellent for daily use
- A fine blend of highly specialized ingredients
- Dramatically improves the hip bone
- lubricates and enhances joint health
- Easily chewable
- NASC Quality sealed
Cons
- Some dogs may dislike the taste
2. Zesty Paws Mobility Bites
Pet owners on a hunt for a supplement capable of surging joint mobility should consider the mobility bites by Zesty Paws. These chews will help support your dog’s hips and improve their joint health, helping them maintain nearly the same energy or mobility as they age.
Zesty Paws are jam-packed with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, flaxseed meal, chondroitin, yucca extract, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), glucosamine, and chondroitin. All these ingredients are natural, helping to maintain bone health and boosting immunity while keeping your four-legged friend’s heart in a healthy condition.
An irresistible feature of this dog food with glucosamine is its mouth-watering taste. Your pet will likely enjoy the delicious duck taste, making this meal a delectable treat for your pal. The Zesty Paws Mobility Bites also goes to great lengths to support joint health, easing and preventing sores, joint pains, inflammation, and other problems associated with arthritis.
The manufacturers of the Zesty Paws chewable operate FDA-approved facilities. They are certified by the USA regulatory bodies, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
Pros
- Provides excellent joint support
- Natural ingredients
- Flavorful dog food, loved by most dogs
- Excellent at controlling the effects of arthritis
- Reduces inflammation, sores, and aches
- Certified by NSF and GMP
- Great for picky eaters
Cons
- Some dogs may spit it out
3. Infinite Pet Life Hip And Joint Supplement
Infinite Pet Life Formula for hip and joint health is the perfect dog food with glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs in the adult or senior stages of their lives. This beef liver flavored supplement is rich in organic turmeric curcumin, which is highly beneficial to dogs. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties have served as a healing herb for millennia.
This grain-free dog food with glucosamine and chondroitin alongside other helpful ingredients is perfect for keeping the cartilage healthy and speeding up the healing of joints. Pets that love beef in their dog food will thoroughly enjoy the taste of this supplement, which helps keep them comfortable and free of joint pains. Inactive ingredients include natural silicon dioxide, dextrose, microcrystalline cellulose, and natural stearic acid.
Although the final decision on dosage rests with your veterinarian, the recommended feeding dosage is one tablet daily for every 25 lbs the dog weighs. If your pet weighs under 15 lbs, the recommended dosage is ½ a tablet. Dogs who take more than one chewable daily must split doses between morning and evening.
Furthermore, your pet will achieve the best results if the recommended dosage is doubled during the first two weeks of administering the supplement. Lastly, some dogs may dislike the smell of turmeric curcumin and find it repulsive. Thus, it is advisable to feed them the chews with peanut butter or other treats.
Infinite Pet Life Hip and Joint supplements have other benefits besides helping to limit the effects of arthritis. This formula maintains its effectiveness across all sizes and breeds of adult dogs. Also, it will be of great help to dogs suffering from joint health problems or hip dysplasia. Lastly, the manufacturers offer a lifetime money-back guarantee to dissatisfied customers.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients with no known side-effects
- Great at cartilage and joint revitalization
- Veterinarian-approved
- Boosts heart and liver health
- Combats allergies
- Removes parasites and resolves stomach ailments
- Lifetime money-back guarantee
- Great for all dog breeds
Cons
- Some dogs may dislike the flavor
4. GlycoFlex 3 By VetriScience
Does your pet enjoy the delicious taste of chicken? The VetriScience GlycoFlex 3 dog food with glucosamine for hip and joint pain may be the perfect solution for your pup. This formula represents the third stage of VetriScience’s joint support program created to support joint health through all the stages in a dog’s life. Specifically designed for senior dogs, the stage 3 dog food formula focuses on dogs who have already started showing signs of aging and discomfort, including those whose mobility has been compromised by orthopedic surgery.
GlycoFlex 3 has been clinically proven to help improve the hind strength of dogs by as much as 41% within four weeks. Ingredients involved in providing joint support to senior dogs include MSM, Perna, DSG, a host of antioxidants, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Moreover, other active ingredients are:
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- N-dimethylglycine HCl
- Manganese (as Mn proteinate)
- Vitamin E
- L-glutathione grapeseed extract
- Sodium selenite
There are also inactive ingredients that include canola oil, brewer’s yeast, chicken meal, chicken fat, glycerin, citric acid, whey, and vegetable oil.
Feeding GlycoFlex 3 to your dog is done in two stages, and the required dosage depends on the weight of your four-legged friend. The initial feeding period lasts between four to six weeks. Dogs should have between one chew daily and five chews daily within that period, depending on their weight. Your dog is required to have a chew for every 30 lbs of weight.
The maintenance period starts at the end of the initial feeding period; during this time, dogs weighing 30 lbs and under must have one chew every other day. On the other hand, animals weighing 30 lbs to 60 lbs should eat no more than one chew daily. However, canines weighing between 60 and 100 lbs require two chews daily for maintenance. Dogs exceeding 101 lbs need three chews daily. Please divide chews between morning and evening should your dog be required to have more than one chew daily.
Pros
- Great for dogs of all weights and ages
- Clinically proven success
- Tasty chicken meal flavor
- Excellent source of chicken fat
- Extremely helpful for dogs with severe joint challenges
Cons
- A bit hard to chew for smaller dogs
- Some dogs may not like the smell
5. Doggie Dailies Advanced Soft Chew Hip and Joint
If you’re seeking a chicken meal formula capable of stirring up the life of your pup, you should give the Doggie Dailies hip and joint chew a try! The Doggie Dailies are perfect for dogs of all breeds and sizes. This chicken meal supplement has many active ingredients that will keep your dog’s tail wagging incessantly. These include co-enzyme Q10, cod oil, Yucca schidigera, salmon, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, and chondroitin with MSM.
Furthermore, it contains inactive ingredients like lecithin, whole grain brown rice, cooked chicken meal, chicken liver powder, molasses, calcium carbonate, and egg powder. These are all trustworthy ingredients that provide essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and nutrients your dog needs. Plus, they’re super tasty, thanks to the chicken meal flavoring.
The recommended dosage is one chew for every 15 lbs, capping at six chews for dogs weighing 75 lbs and above. You may double the dosage during the initial six weeks of use. After six weeks, return to the usual dosage. When in doubt, consult a veterinarian for advice.
The Doggie Dailies dog food with glucosamine formula is highly effective in cartilage repair, reducing inflammation, lubricating the joints, reducing pain, and enhancing overall joint health. Moreover, this formula helps repair skin damage too. Long-term results show strengthened and energized dogs. Here is the best part; the manufacturer provides a money-back guarantee should the supplement fail to meet your dog’s needs.
Pros
- Excellent at reducing joint pain and improving mobility
- Pleasant chicken meal flavor
- Imbues strength and energy in dogs
- Reduces inflammation
- Money-back guarantee
- Chicken fat helps improve skin
- Whole grain brown rice provides a high fiber content
- Ideal for dogs of all weights, ages, and breeds
Cons
- Not intended for puppies under six months
- Not for pregnant dogs
- A bit pricey
Four Key Ingredients for Hip and Joint Health
When shopping for the best formula to help remedy your dog’s hip and joint challenges, it is ideal to know exactly what to look for. Here our expert vets will outline the four key ingredients that should be present in any supplement. Although supplements rarely contain all four ingredients, at least one should be present.
Glucosamine Hydrochloride
This is the primary ingredient found in most, if not all, dog food formulas for hip and joint pain. Dog food with glucosamine is essential in building healthy joints and cartilage by helping dogs stimulate cartilage growth and protecting the cartilage in the joint. It works best alongside chondroitin. Once this substance has built up in the dog’s system – which may take a while – it will help to improve weight-bearing and painful sores in dogs suffering from arthritis.
Further, glucosamine is essential for healthy joints in dogs, improving or maintaining their strength and energy levels. Large breed dogs predisposed to joint problems will find this ingredient helpful. In addition, dogs who have had broken bones, suffered joint trauma, or had elbow or hip dysplasia will benefit too. As such, pet owners can begin administering glucosamine and chondroitin to their pets aged eight weeks and older.
Omega Fatty Acids
Among the substances that help lubricate the joint, ease friction, and reduce pain are omega fatty acids. Beyond easing joint pain, these essential fatty acids help improve the health of other organs, including the heart, kidney, and skin. Indeed most dog food contains omega fatty acids to help stimulate healthy joints and overall growth. However, they are rarely sufficient to meet a dog’s needs with joint and hip health challenges.
Excellent sources of omega fatty acids are fish and krill oil; because they possess DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). Avoid flaxseed oil supplementation because it only provides ALA (alpha-lipoic acid). The recommended dosage is 100 mg for every kilogram of the dog’s body weight. Your veterinarian shall help determine the proper dosage for your pet. Lastly, when storing omega 3, remember it’s a sensitive ingredient capable of degrading in the presence of light, heat, and oxygen.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Dogs who have an extreme case of arthritis will benefit from CBD oil supplements. They leverage the endocannabinoid system to modulate pain and inflammation. Research has shown that feeding this supplement to your arthritic dog at 2 mg per kilogram will reduce the pain and enhance their metabolism. CBD is of more significant benefit to senior dogs with joint and hip health issues than younger pets.
Chondroitin Sulfate
One of the primary objectives of chondroitin sulfate is the stoppage of enzymes that destroy cartilage in the dog’s joints. This supplement is ideal for dogs aged eight weeks and older as a preventative and remedial measure. Yet, it is not suitable for dogs ailing from end-stage arthritis.
In addition, it is essential to note that your dog’s gastrointestinal tract may find absorption of chondroitin difficult. Therefore, it’s recommended that you choose a product with a low molecular weight to help improve absorption. Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulfate works better with avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU). ASU is a substance that helps reduce inflammation and stimulates cartilage healing after damage. Similarly, ASU does not provide any relief to dogs with end-stage arthritis.
Ultimately, the final decision on what ingredients your dog needs to prevent or remedy hip and joint challenges should be made by your veterinarian. So, you should consult your vet as they can offer the exact solutions best suited to your pet. They can recommend alternative remedial measures to alleviate joint pain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What dog food has glucosamine and chondroitin?
Glucosamine and chondroitin help keep dogs healthy and agile. Unfortunately, the production of this compound reduces as dog’s age, and as a result, dogs may get osteoarthritis. Fortunately, you can easily get dog food with glucosamine since it’s a natural component. These include chicken feet, beef trachea, and pork tails, to name a few.
Chicken feet
An excellent source of glucosamine and chondroitin is chicken feet, and they comprise nearly 31% cartilage, of which 5% is glucosamine. Chicken feet are a fantastic treat for most dogs and help maintain healthy joints and happiness. They are also a good source of chicken fat.
Beef trachea
A 30 g piece of the beef trachea will provide your dog with up to 1400 mg of glucosamine and chondroitin, well above the recommended 1000 g required in the treatment of arthritis. Feeding your dog beef trachea regularly will help alleviate joint pain, lubricate the joints, and reduce inflammation.
Pork tails and others
Pork meal is another great source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate that helps develop achy bones and lubricates joints. Other than pigtails, lamb necks, duck feet, and neck, as well as pig ears, are excellent sources of this supplement.
How do I encourage my dog to take glucosamine and chondroitin naturally?
One of the best ways to encourage your dog to ingest glucosamine and chondroitin naturally is by offering it to your dog as a treat. Most dogs love to play, and offering your pet one of the above glucosamine and chondroitin sources as a reward for a good deed will encourage them to take the supplement. Buy dog food with glucosamine and feed them to your dogs according to the recommended dosage. Before serving your dog glucosamine and chondroitin meals, always consult your veterinarian to ensure you stay within healthy limits.
Is there any natural anti-inflammatory for dogs?
Natural anti-inflammatories are substances produced in the body that help limit inflammation. The body inflames as a remedy to help treat injury and other damages to the body. However, where the inflammation is severe, it can impair how the body works. Glucosamine is a natural anti-inflammatory produced by most dogs, helping them cope with osteoarthritis and most inflammatory problems in the joint. Puppies who consume recommended doses of this supplement will benefit from improved cartilage. Further, early dosing of glucosamine and chondroitin is a great preventative measure against joint challenges in dogs.
How do I choose the right dog food?
Consider these Factors
You should consider your dog’s breed, age, activity, and reproduction status when choosing their dog food. For example, larger breeds require more calories. Older dogs require fewer calories. Dogs engaged in a higher activity level will naturally consume more calories than laidback pets.
Read the List of Ingredients Carefully
Find out what substances are in the dog food with glucosamine and decide the best one to buy. Finally, check the natural adequacy statement and look for the AAFCO statement at the back.
Can Glucosamine Cause Problems for Dogs?
Yes, if dogs ingest too much glucosamine and chondroitin, it can become toxic to them. The side effects of excess glucosamine are nose bleeds, dehydration, diarrhea, and lameness. Therefore, we insist on ensuring that you consult with your veterinarian before feeding your arthritic dog any glucosamine and chondroitin supplement to minimize any risks.
Get Your Glucosamine!
Preventing dog joint pain and ensuring that their dogs have comfortable mobility are two significant issues for dog owners. Dog guardians who are well-versed in joint care understand that the sooner you begin caring for your dog’s joints, the better the long-term outcome will be.
Moreover, healthy, well-balanced diets, and the usage of proper dog supplements, can reduce the risk of arthritis. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between beneficial versus merely marketing hype for dog joint supplements.
Our guide helps you filter out the noise to help you determine what your dog needs and provide insight into what you should look out for to ensure you choose products of the utmost benefit to your dog. So, if ever in doubt about what next steps to take, consult your veterinarian for advice on all that is needed to help your four-legged companion live and stay healthy. Although, dog food with glucosamine and chondroitin is a great starting point.
