Hip and Joint Dog Chews: Which Ingredients Actually Have Evidence

TL;DR

Hip and joint chews are only as good as the ingredients inside them and the amounts per chew. Omega-3 from fish oil has the best evidence for joint pain in dogs, but chews usually carry little of it. Green-lipped mussel has several positive controlled trials. Glucosamine and chondroitin, the most common chew ingredients, have the weakest: a 2022 review of 72 trials recommended they no longer be recommended for arthritis pain. Before buying, check the amount of each active ingredient per chew, the calories, allergens and evidence of quality testing. Chews work best alongside weight control, exercise and your vet's pain treatment.

What is actually in a hip and joint chew

Most hip and joint chews combine several of these ingredients. Here is what the evidence in dogs shows for each, strongest first.

Omega-3 (fish oil, EPA and DHA)

The best-supported ingredient. A 2012 systematic review found the evidence was poor for joint supplements generally, except for omega-3 in dogs, and a 2022 review of 72 trials found clear pain-relief evidence for omega-3 diets and supplements. The 2023 COAST osteoarthritis guidelines put omega-3 ahead of other nutraceuticals.

The catch is the amount. COAST quotes 75 to 100 mg of EPA plus DHA per kg of body weight a day as a starting amount for dogs with arthritis, which is 1,500 to 2,000 mg for a 20 kg (44 lb) dog. A chew containing 50 or 100 mg cannot get close without many chews a day. VCA Animal Hospitals' nutrition team warns that not every fish oil product has enough EPA and DHA to make any difference.

Green-lipped mussel

The 2022 review grouped green-lipped mussel with the omega-3 products. Several controlled trials found less pain or better movement: in 2002 studies, 83% of dogs given mussel powder on their food improved their arthritis score by 30% or more in 6 weeks, against 7% without it, and VCA notes that studies show reduced orthopedic pain. See green-lipped mussel for dogs: the evidence.

Glucosamine and chondroitin

The most common chew ingredients have the weakest support:

• A 2022 review of 72 trials found a very marked lack of effect of chondroitin-glucosamine products and recommended they no longer be recommended for pain in canine and feline osteoarthritis.
• In a 2017 placebo-controlled trial of 60 dogs, a glucosamine and chondroitin product did not increase activity over 90 days. Owner pain scores improved in both groups equally, which the authors attributed to a caregiver placebo effect.
• A 2007 trial of 35 dogs found improvements by day 70 in vet-scored pain and weight bearing with glucosamine and chondroitin, slower than with carprofen. It had no placebo group.

VCA's own pages differ: one calls the research inconclusive, another, from its nutrition team, says glucosamine and chondroitin are not effective for osteoarthritis and suggests omega-3 and physical rehabilitation instead. More in glucosamine for senior dogs.

Collagen (undenatured type II and hydrolyzed)

• Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II): a 2005 study of 15 arthritic dogs, 5 per group, found reduced pain and lameness over 90 days. The study was small, and COAST experts gave it minority support (3 of 9).
• Hydrolyzed collagen: the 2022 review found weak efficacy for collagen, and a 2026 placebo-controlled trial of a collagen hydrolysate diet found no difference from placebo after 12 weeks.

Turmeric (curcumin)

In a 2017 trial of 42 dogs, a diet with curcuminoids, hydrolyzed collagen and green tea extract did not change force-plate measurements, but reduced vet-scored pain on joint manipulation over 3 months. The study was funded by a pet food company, and the mixture makes it impossible to credit turmeric alone.

Hemp and CBD

A 2020 placebo-controlled trial found that CBD reduced pain and improved mobility in dogs with osteoarthritis over 4 weeks, with larger doses working better. The 2022 review rated CBD's evidence as positive but weaker than omega-3. The FDA has not approved CBD for any use in animals and says concerns about unproven claims and unknown quality apply equally to pet products. Talk to your vet before using one.

How to compare chews

1. Find the amount of each active per chew. "Proprietary blend" totals do not tell you whether any single ingredient reaches a useful amount.
2. Check EPA and DHA in mg if the chew claims fish oil, not just "fish oil" or "omega-3".
3. Count the calories. Chews are often given daily for years, and extra weight is one of the biggest risks for arthritic joints. In a study of 14 obese dogs with arthritis, lameness improved from about 6% weight loss.
4. Check allergens. Many chews contain chicken, fish or shellfish such as green-lipped mussel.
5. Look for quality testing. The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal requires an independent quality audit and random product testing against label claims. VCA notes that supplements are not highly regulated and some may not contain the labeled amount. The seal is about quality, not proof of effect.
6. Read health claims carefully. The FDA uses "a product intended to improve joint function in an arthritic dog" as an example of a drug, and says chondroitin cannot be generally recognized as safe when added to food to prevent or treat arthritis. Under that framework, a product sold to treat or prevent arthritis is a drug, and animal drugs generally need FDA approval before sale.

See dog supplement powder vs soft chews for format trade-offs.

Chews or something else?

For a dog with diagnosed arthritis, the options with stronger evidence are:

• A veterinary joint diet high in EPA and DHA, or a concentrated fish oil dosed by weight. See dog food for joint health.
• Weight loss if your dog is overweight.
• Controlled exercise and rehabilitation. The 2023 AAHA senior care guidelines note that senior pets with chronic musculoskeletal disease may benefit from physical rehabilitation.
• Pain medication prescribed by your vet, such as NSAIDs or a monthly anti-NGF antibody injection.

A chew can fit alongside these if your dog enjoys it and the label shows meaningful amounts. Our best joint supplements for senior dogs guide compares the alternatives.

FAQ

Do hip and joint chews work for dogs?

It depends on the ingredients and amounts. Omega-3 and green-lipped mussel have the best evidence; glucosamine and chondroitin the weakest. Most chews have not been tested as finished products.

How long do joint chews take to work?

In trials of omega-3 foods, owners noticed changes from about 6 weeks. In the 2007 glucosamine trial, the improvement took until day 70. Track your dog for at least 6 to 8 weeks before judging; see how long joint supplements take to work.

Can a puppy have hip and joint chews?

None of the studies we reviewed showed that joint chews prevent hip dysplasia in puppies. For large-breed puppies, VCA highlights measured meals and a lean body during growth.

Are joint chews safe with my dog's pain medication?

Fish oil should be used with caution alongside NSAIDs and blood thinners, according to VCA. Show your vet the label of any chew your dog takes.

References

• Vandeweerd JM, et al. Systematic review of efficacy of nutraceuticals to alleviate clinical signs of osteoarthritis. J Vet Intern Med. 2012. PMID: 22404506
• Barbeau-Grégoire M, et al. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of enriched therapeutic diets and nutraceuticals in canine and feline osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci. 2022. PMID: 36142319
• Cachon T, et al. COAST Development Group's international consensus guidelines for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2023.
• Scott RM, Evans R, Conzemius MG. Efficacy of an oral nutraceutical for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2017. PMID: 28763523
• McCarthy G, et al. Randomised double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis. The Veterinary Journal. 2007. PMID: 16647870
• Deparle LA, et al. Efficacy and safety of glycosylated undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) in therapy of arthritic dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2005. PMID: 16050819
• Blees NR, et al. Placebo-controlled randomized clinical study using a collagen hydrolysate-enriched diet in dogs with osteoarthritis. The Veterinary Journal. 2026. PMID: 42926012
• Comblain F, et al. A randomized, double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of a diet supplemented with curcuminoids extract, hydrolyzed collagen and green tea extract in owner's dogs with osteoarthritis. BMC Veterinary Research. 2017. PMID: 29262825
• Verrico CD, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of daily cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis pain. Pain. 2020. PMID: 32345916
• Marshall WG, et al. The effect of weight loss on lameness in obese dogs with osteoarthritis. 2010. PMID: 20237844
• VCA Animal Hospitals. Arthritis and Nutrition for Dogs, Nutraceuticals for Joint Support in Dogs with Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease in Dogs, Fish Oil, Hip Dysplasia in Dogs.
• American Animal Hospital Association. 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines: pain management.
• National Animal Supplement Council. NASC Quality Seal.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA's Regulation of Pet Food, What you need to know about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD.