Hip, Hip, Hooray
What Ingredients Make a Good Hip & Joint Supplement?
There are literally endless options for pet supplements and while some are debatably unnecessary for preventative care, others I would never recommend anyone to go without. One of my must haves for every pet is a hip and joint supplement. Dogs of all breeds, sizes, age and even cats benefit from taking a hip and joint supplement. Especially if you're using it as a preventative.
Some supplements work best for preventative care and some work best to treat pre-existing conditions, but when it comes to the health of your pets hips and joints, preventative care is the best course of action. Conditions like hip dysplasia, arthritis, torn ligaments, osteochondritis dissecans, and more are much easier to prevent than they are to cure, if curing them is even a possibility.
There are thousands of options on the market for hip & joint supplements and while there are tons of amazing options out there, not all of them are created equal. So, how do you know if you’re buying a good one? Believe it or not, it’s not the price. Buying the most expensive one you can find, doesn’t mean you’re getting your money's worth. It’s all about the ingredients, and lot’s of super affordable options have all the elements you need.
Key Ingredients
There are 3 main ingredients to look for in a hip and joint supplement and a few other additions that are definitely worth looking for as well!
The power trio of important ingredients you’re looking for are Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM - don’t worry, I’m going to break these all down in a bit, but if the product you’re looking at doesn’t have at least these three ingredients, it’s best to keep shopping. Good news is most products are going to have Glucosamine and Chondroitin, it’s the MSM you will probably have to look out for as it is a slightly less common ingredient, comparatively.
Let’s break them down
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound made of, you guessed it, glucose (or sugar) and glutamine which is an amino acid. Glucosamine is a building block for the cartilage matrix and is essential for maintaining healthy cartilage and joint function. It even stimulates growth of cartilage cells and lubricates the joints by normalizing synovial fluid, the liquid between the joints.
Our pets naturally produce Glucosamine, but as they age the production levels aren't enough as they start to produce less and less. Glucosamine makes for a fantastic preventative and it’s a great addition to help keep their cartilage, synovial fluid, and joints strong and healthy as they age.
There are a few foods naturally high in Glucosamine including shellfish, with our favorite being green lipped mussels, natural chews like tracheas, chicken feet, tails, ears and more along with bone broth, and eggshell membranes.
Chondroitin is a naturally occurring compound found within the body and is more often than not paired with Glucosamine for hip and joint related products. These two are similar and work well together, but there are some differences. Chondroitin is a structural component of cartilage that gives it its elasticity. It helps with shock absorption and nourishes the tissue that lines the joints by promoting water retention and elasticity in the cartilage. It can help reduce inflammation, and rebuild damaged cartilage.
Incorporating Chondroitin can help to reduce pain, increase mobility and like Glucosamine, can be a fantastic preventative.
The natural sources of Chondroitin are basically the same as the ones for Glucosamine, which keeps things nice and easy! Green lipped mussels are at the top of our list again, and just like before, tracheas, chicken feet and bone broth are all good natural food sources as well.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is another naturally occurring compound that is often supplemented to help reduce inflammation and support joint health. Sulfur, which is a major component of MSM, plays a critical role in the production of collagen and glucosamine, both of which are vital for maintaining healthy bones and joints.
How does MSM fit in?
Roles of MSM:
Source of Sulfur: MSM is a rich source of organic sulfur, which is a crucial element for many biochemical processes in the body, including the synthesis of collagen and glucosamine.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: MSM is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce pain and swelling in the joints, providing relief from conditions such as arthritis.
Sulfur & Collagen:
Sulfur is essential for the formation of collagen, a protein that provides the structural scaffold for connective tissues, including cartilage. Without adequate sulfur, collagen synthesis is impaired, leading to weaker cartilage and joint structures.
Sulfur & Glucosamine:
Sulfur is also necessary for the synthesis of glucosamine, a compound that plays a crucial role in maintaining cartilage health. Glucosamine helps form glycosaminoglycans, which are essential components of the cartilage matrix.
So, MSM supports the health of joints and cartilage by providing Sulfur which aids in the synthesis of collagen and glucosamine, both of which are crucial for maintaining the structure and function of cartilage and reducing Inflammation. By mitigating inflammation, MSM can help alleviate joint pain and swelling, improving mobility and comfort for pets suffering from joint conditions.
Quick Recap
This "Power Trio" of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM are the three most important ingredients you should look for in a hip and joint supplement. Each element plays a unique and crucial role in maintaining joint health, and together, they form a comprehensive support system for your pet’s mobility and comfort.
Glucosamine is a building block of cartilage, helps maintain and normalize synovial fluid to aid in joint lubrication, helps to prevent cartilage degradation and maintain joint health.
Chondroitin is a key component of cartilage that gives it elasticity and helps it retain water. It also reduces inflammation and assists in rebuilding damaged cartilage, alleviating pain, and improving joint function.
And MSM provides organic sulfur, vital for the synthesis of collagen and glucosamine, is essential for collagen formation and also reduces inflammation.
Together this power trio provides comprehensive cartilage support, enhanced joint function and work as both a preventative and therapeutic solution.
Other Beneficial Ingredients
The power trio might be the most important set of ingredients, but that doesn’t mean there aren't other things you should keep an eye out for. Some of the ingredients that I always add to my personal list of must haves include:
Turmeric:
Specifically, its active compound curcumin, is well-known for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It can help reduce joint pain and inflammation, making it a valuable addition to joint supplements. Studies have shown that curcumin can also be effective in reducing pain and improving function in joint conditions.
Hyaluronic acid:
Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of synovial fluid, which lubricates and cushions joints. Supplementation can help improve joint lubrication, reduce friction, and enhance overall joint function. It also helps retain moisture in the cartilage, providing better shock absorption and reducing wear and tear on the joints.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
Particularly EPA and DHA found in fish oil, have strong anti-inflammatory properties. They can help reduce joint inflammation and pain, improving mobility. These fatty acids support overall joint health and can be particularly beneficial for pets with arthritis. If you want to read more about the benefits of Omegas in general, be sure to check out our blog post Oh My Megas: Omegas 3-6-9.
Green-Lipped Mussels:
A rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, and other beneficial nutrients. They provide a natural, comprehensive approach to joint health. Often seen as just “GLM” these little powerhouses provide a ton of benefits and can help reduce inflammation along with supporting overall joint function.
Vitamin C:
Essential for the synthesis of collagen, which is important for maintaining the structural integrity of cartilage. It also has antioxidant properties that can help reduce oxidative stress in joint tissues.
Vitamin E:
A potent antioxidant that helps protect joint cells from oxidative damage. Vitamin E can aid in reducing inflammation, improving joint health and contributes to the overall health of joint tissues.
Manganese:
A trace mineral that plays a crucial role in various biological processes in both humans and animals. We actually touch on Manganese in our Deep Dive on Furry Chews, To Fur or Not to Fur, if you want to read a little more about it. Manganese is essential for the synthesis of collagen and contributes to bone formation and maintenance. It also plays a role in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, which can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy weight in and keeping our pets at a healthy weight is crucial for reducing stress on joints. Not to keep pushing other posts, but we also have a blog called The Overweight Debate that you might enjoy if you’re looking for some extra reading.
Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM form the core of a good hip and joint supplement, but adding ingredients like Turmeric, Hyaluronic Acid, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Green-Lipped Mussel, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Manganese can further enhance the supplement’s effectiveness. These additional ingredients provide anti-inflammatory benefits, improve joint lubrication, and support cartilage health, offering a well-rounded approach to maintaining your pet’s joint health and mobility.
A few suggestions on decent hip & joint supplements
Cosequin: The “best selling” hip and joint supplement for dogs on Amazon is: Cosequin Maximum Strength Joint Health Supplement for Dogs. This product has a 4.7 star rating with nearly 40,000 reviews. That’s pretty dang good, but would I recommend it? Let’s take a deeper look.
Ingredients wise, you have the power trio of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM - check, but the only other ingredient is 3mg of Manganese, which is on our list of other beneficial ingredients, but that’s where the ingredient list ends. At around $35, I think that this is a decent option that hits a lot of really crucial elements for a good hip and joint supplement, however we can do better.
Grizzly Pet Products: One of the options I see recommended a ton is the Grizzly Hip & Joint Aid for Dogs and Cats. Based on the ingredients and the price point, I can totally see why this one is so highly recommended. We’ve got our power trio, plus we also have krill oil (omega-3s) and Hyaluronic Acid, and this one is a liquid which I prefer when it comes to supplements since there are usually less unnecessary ingredients and liquids are easier for their bodies to absorb and utilize.
Best Paw Nutrition - Unflavored Liquid Glucosamine: I really like this one for hitting as many check boxes as we can in terms of the ingredients. Of course, it has out power tio, but it also has vitamin c, manganese, and hyaluronic acid along with a ton of other great ingredients we didn’t touch on like CoQ10, Biotin and multiple B vitamins. Best Paw Nutrition can be found on Amazon and although I listed the unflavored version here, they do make a bacon flavor as well if you’ve got more of a picky dog or cat.
VetriScience GlycoFlex Plus: Another “best seller” on Amazon. It’s a chewable supplement, not a liquid and I do like the active ingredients. They include the power trio along with green lipped mussels, vitamins E, C, and manganese. What I don’t love is the lengthy list of inactive ingredients:
“arabic gum, brewers yeast, calcium sulfate, canola oil, citric acid, citrus pectin, duck flavor, glycerin, maltodextrin, mixed tocopherols, propionic acid, rosemary extract, silicon dioxide, sodium alginate, sorbic acid, soy lecithin, vegetable oil, water”
When it comes to non-liquid supplements, there's almost always going to be a list of inactive ingredients and these ingredients are called “inactive” because they don’t necessarily play a primary role in the objective for the product i.e they don’t help target hips and joints, but they’re included for other reasons like flavoring, preservatives, coloring, binding agents, etc.. All to say, I don’t hate inactive ingredients, but I do try to find products that keep them to a minimum.
Wuffes: One of my personal favorite chewable hip and joint supplements is Wuffes Chewable Dog Hip and Joint Supplement. The inactive ingredient list is much more compressed and I feel like what is there is much easier to identify a purpose for. As for the active ingredients we have our power trio along with Green lipped mussels, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and omega-3s. Holly loves these!
I could go through dozens more, but I think at this point you should have a pretty decent checklist and have a good tool bag to analyze hip and joint supplements on your own. We've tried tons of them, and although at this point I'm kind of picky, and some definitely work better than others, it's not worth throwing away a jar you already have opened. Finish up what you already have, and the next time you're looking to go shopping, at least now you know what to go looking for.