The adult formulation is the one to start with, and the point of it is timing rather than severity. YuMOVE aim this at dogs beginning to show the early signs of stiffness — the pause before getting up, the slight reluctance at the stairs — rather than at dogs who are already struggling. Doing something at that point is generally more useful than doing something later.

The two ingredients they lead on are their own ActivEase green lipped mussel, which YuMOVE say carries higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than standard GLM powders, and their form of hyaluronic acid, which they say reaches a dog's joints within 2 hours. YuMOVE describe the job in three parts — soothing stiff joints, supporting joint structure and helping mobility — and have been researching their supplements for more than 15 years. It is given daily, in food or from the hand.

• Tub of 120 tablets
• The adult formulation
• ActivEase green lipped mussel
• Hyaluronic acid, which YuMOVE say reaches the joints within 2 hours
• Aimed at dogs showing early signs of stiffness
• Given daily, in food or from the hand

Early signs are still signs. A dog who has started taking a moment to get up, or who is slower on the second half of a walk, is telling you something — and a vet looking at them now has more options than one looking at them in a year. Joint disease is common, it is treatable, and weight is the single biggest lever anybody has over it. Start with an examination, then add this. And commit to the tub: YuMOVE ask for daily use over weeks, so stopping after a fortnight tells you nothing at all.

Who it's for: adult dogs just beginning to stiffen up, and owners who would rather act early than wait for it to become obvious.