Joint care for dogs and cats
This aisle covers joint support supplements for dogs and cats — powders, tablets and chews built around ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin and green lipped mussel, aimed at supporting mobility rather than treating a specific diagnosed condition. It's a popular aisle with owners of senior pets, larger dog breeds, and animals recovering from an injury.
What's in a joint supplement
Glucosamine and chondroitin are the two ingredients most owners have heard of, generally included together and aimed at supporting the cartilage in a joint. Green lipped mussel is another common ingredient, often included in supplements aimed specifically at mobility and general joint comfort.
Products come in different forms — powders mixed through food, chewable tablets, and liquid formats — and which suits your pet often comes down to how easily they'll take it rather than which format works better.
Who tends to use this aisle
Owners of senior dogs and cats reach for joint supplements often, since mobility naturally becomes more of a consideration as pets age. Larger dog breeds, who carry more weight through their joints over a lifetime, and dogs recovering from an injury or surgery are the other groups most commonly using this aisle.
A joint supplement is generally started as a preventative or supportive measure alongside a pet's normal diet, rather than instead of proper veterinary treatment for an existing problem.
Before you start one
If your pet is showing signs of stiffness, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or general slowing down, it's worth getting them checked by a vet before assuming a supplement alone will address it — those signs can have several causes, and a vet can also advise on which supplement, if any, suits your pet's specific situation.
Supplements are meant to support a normal diet, not replace veterinary treatment or a prescribed medication, and it's worth mentioning any supplement you're giving when you next see your vet, particularly if your pet is already on other medication.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Pooch & Mutt Salmon Oil
Scottish salmon oil for dogs, dosed by weight from toy breeds to giants
£13.99
Pooch & Mutt Beef Collagen Chews
Beef collagen chews for dogs, aimed at skin, coat and joint support
£5.99
Lily's Kitchen Lily S Kitchen Dog Lovely Lamb
Complete lamb-led dry dog food offered in two practical bag sizes
From£25.15
Bakers Joint Delicious Everyday Large Dog Chew Chicken
240G BAKERS Joint Delicious Everyday Large Dog Chew Chicken: complementary dog food or treat
£2.40
Vetiq Senior Care
A mineral supplement tablet for senior cats and dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin
£8.15
Vetiq Joint Care Supplement Chews
Joint-care supplement chews for dogs and puppies from 12 weeks, fed by hand or with food
£15.99
Rosewood Collagen Chicken Roll
Rosewood Collagen Chicken Roll: giant single roll, with collagen and chicken
£3.00
Beaphar Salmon Oil
Beaphar salmon oil for dogs and cats, rich in omega-3 and omega-6 with two bottle-size options
From£10.85
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Wet Cat Food Turkey in Gravy Pouch 12 Pack
Grain-free turkey pouches in gravy for senior cats, though the printed analysis looks inconsistent
£14.55
Johnson's Stool Firmer Dog
Vitamin and mineral sachets for dogs over 12 weeks, to help firm up loose stools
£7.79
Bow Wow Meaty Jumbos Chicken
Bow Wow Meaty Jumbos Chicken: 40g chicken-flavour roll, with composition and analysis stated
£1.05
Common questions
- What is glucosamine and chondroitin used for in pets?
- They're commonly included together in joint supplements aimed at supporting the cartilage within a joint, and are popular ingredients for senior pets, larger dog breeds and animals recovering from injury. They're a supportive measure rather than a treatment for a diagnosed condition.
- When should I start giving my dog a joint supplement?
- There's no fixed age that suits every dog — many owners start as a preventative measure once a dog reaches its senior years or if it's a larger breed known to be prone to joint issues. If your dog is already showing signs of stiffness or discomfort, see your vet first rather than starting a supplement alone.
- Can cats have joint supplements too?
- Yes, joint supplements aren't only for dogs, and older cats or those with reduced mobility can benefit in the same way. Check the product is formulated for cats specifically, since dosing and ingredients aren't always interchangeable between species.
- Should I see a vet before starting my pet on a joint supplement?
- If your pet is showing signs like stiffness, reluctance to jump, or slowing down, yes — those signs can have several causes and a vet can advise what's appropriate. For a healthy senior pet started as a general preventative measure, it's still worth mentioning at your next check-up.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.