How to Choose a Dog Joint Supplement
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To choose a dog joint supplement, read the label for named ingredients with amounts per serving, check the dosing is based on your dog's weight, look for third-party testing, and check for allergens such as shellfish. Then pick a format your dog will take every day: chews, powders, liquids and tablets all work if they are given consistently. Pawganix MoveGuard Adult is a daily soft chew joint formula dosed by weight.
Looking for a daily joint chew dosed by your dog's weight?
Shop MoveGuard AdultWhat is in a dog joint supplement?
Most joint supplements combine a few well known ingredients, each included for a different reason.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin. Components of cartilage and the most common pair in joint formulas. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center lists both, along with omega-3 fatty acids, under joint support options for dogs.
- MSM. A sulfur compound often paired with glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Green-lipped mussel. A New Zealand shellfish ingredient that supplies omega-3 fatty acids, which supports a normal, healthy inflammatory response.
- Eggshell membrane. A source of the natural building blocks found in joint tissue.
- Hyaluronic acid. A component of the fluid that cushions joints.
- Vitamins C and E. Antioxidant vitamins that many formulas include.
Formulas differ in which ingredients they include and how much of each, which is why the label matters more than the front of the jar.
Chews, powders, liquids and tablets compared
All four formats can deliver a joint formula. The best one is the one your dog takes every day.
| Format | How it is given | Good fit for | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft chews | Given as a treat or with a meal | Dogs that take treats willingly | Dosing by weight, serving size per chew, allergens and flavor |
| Powders | Scooped and mixed into food | Dogs that clean the bowl without fuss, and owners who want to adjust the amount | Whether your dog eats the full portion, and how accurately you measure the scoop |
| Liquids | Pumped or dropped onto food or into the mouth | Small dogs and dogs that struggle with solid forms | Shelf life once opened, and how much is in each pump |
| Tablets and capsules | Given whole or hidden in a treat | Dogs used to taking pills | Size of the tablet for your dog, and how it is flavored |
A general comparison of formats, not of specific products.
How do you read a joint supplement label?
Look for named ingredients with amounts
Each active should be listed with an amount, so you can see what your dog gets in a full daily serving.
Check how the dose is set
A good label gives dosing by your dog's weight, not one amount for every dog.
Look for quality checks
Third-party lab testing and GMP certified manufacturing are worth looking for. The National Animal Supplement Council runs a Quality Seal program with independent audits, and PetMD notes a missing seal does not mean a product is unsafe, so you can also ask your vet or research the brand.
Check allergens
Ingredients like green-lipped mussel are shellfish, and chews can include soy, egg or grain. Match the label to your dog's sensitivities.
Pick a format your dog will take
A supplement only works as a routine if it is given every day, so choose the format your dog accepts easily.
Not sure what stage your dog's joints are at?
Take the free Joint & Mobility Clock. Ten quick questions about your dog, and you get a named stage, the four things loading your dog's joints, and a plan sized to your dog's weight. No email needed to see your result.
Take the Joint & Mobility Clock βWhat are the signs your dog's joints need attention?
Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center lists these signs of osteoarthritis in dogs:
- Pain, stiffness, lameness or changes in gait
- Reduced activity, or reluctance to exercise
- Trouble with stairs or jumping onto couches
- Difficulty rising from lying down
- Muscle wasting
- Sudden behavior changes such as irritability
If you notice any of these, book a vet visit, because the signs can have several causes. For a deeper look at the options, see our comparison of the best joint supplements for adult dogs.
What daily habits go with a joint supplement?
Weight and low-impact movement matter as much as anything in the jar.
Cornell says obesity contributes significantly to osteoarthritis because of the added force on joints, and lists weight control as a lifestyle treatment. It suggests low-impact activity such as leash walks or swimming. Our guide to exercise for dog joints has more ideas for keeping an adult dog moving.
What is on the MoveGuard Adult label?
MoveGuard Adult is a daily soft chew joint formula, chicken-liver flavored, dosed by your dog's weight, so check the label for your dog. For a full daily serving, the label lists:
- Glucosamine 1000 mg
- Chondroitin 800 mg
- MSM 800 mg
- Green-lipped mussel (New Zealand) 600 mg
- Eggshell membrane 300 mg
- Vitamin C 150 mg
- Vitamin E 70 IU
- Hyaluronic acid 50 mg
The label notes smaller dogs get half these amounts. It is made in the USA in a GMP certified, NSF registered facility and is third-party lab tested. It contains shellfish, fish, soy and egg, and is made with oat flour. It is backed by a 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
When should you call the vet?
- Your dog suddenly cannot put weight on a leg, or yelps when touched
- Your dog has a swollen, hot joint, or limping that does not settle
- Your dog cannot get up, or has lost control of the back legs
- Your dog seems to be in pain, or stops eating or drinking
Tell your vet about everything your dog takes, including supplements, so the whole plan fits together.
A Daily Joint Chew, Dosed by Weight.
MoveGuard Adult is a daily soft chew joint formula for adult dogs, with every active listed on the label. Chicken-liver flavored, made in the USA. 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
Shop MoveGuard AdultFrequently Asked Questions
Read the label for named ingredients with amounts, check that dosing is based on your dog's weight, look for third-party testing, and check for allergens such as shellfish. Then pick a format your dog will take every day.
Neither is better on its own. Chews suit dogs that take treats willingly, and powders suit dogs that eat their full meal without fuss. The best format is the one your dog takes consistently.
Common ingredients include glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, eggshell membrane, hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center lists glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids as joint support options for dogs.
MoveGuard Adult is dosed by your dog's weight, with smaller dogs getting half the label amounts. Check the feeding guide on the product page for your dog's weight.
The label lists shellfish (green-lipped mussel), fish, soy and egg, and the chew is made with oat flour, so it is not grain-free. Check the label against your dog's sensitivities.
Many owners start a daily joint routine for adult and senior dogs, and some start earlier for large breeds. Your vet can advise on the right time for your dog.
Yes. Tell your vet about every supplement and medication your dog takes so the whole plan fits together.
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- Cornell University Riney Canine Health Center. Osteoarthritis: signs, weight and exercise, joint support options. vet.cornell.edu
- PetMD. What is the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC)? Written by Frevele, reviewed by Morrison, DVM, updated Aug 9, 2023. petmd.com
- Pawganix. MoveGuard Adult product page and label. pawganix.com
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
Where is your dog on the joint clock?
Ten questions about your dog. You get a named stage, the four things loading your dog's joints, a 30-day check-in date, and a plan sized to your dog's weight.
- 1Your dog's joint stage, named and scored
- 2The four things loading the joints
- 3A plan sized to your dog's weight, or a plain answer if no formula fits
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