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Oct 17, 2024

Best Dog Foods for Joint Health in 2024: Vet-Recommended Reviews & Top Picks – Dogster

VET APPROVED REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY Dr. Ashley Darby BVSc (Veterinarian) The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Supporting your dog’s joints

VET APPROVED

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Ashley Darby

BVSc (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Supporting your dog’s joints should be a priority throughout their life. Young, large-breed puppies need special puppy food to support healthy joint development. These formulas have moderated energy and calcium to support healthy growth. If you are looking for a diet for a large-breed puppy, we recommend Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Formula Large Breed Dry Puppy Food, or Royal Canin Maxi Puppy.

The research is incomplete, but it appears that some forms of exercise are detrimental to developing joints while others are beneficial. Later in life, dogs can develop osteoarthritis secondary to wear and tear on the joints, underlying joint problems, or obesity.

Joint supplements can help, as can medications prescribed by a vet. Some pet foods are formulated with additional ingredients to help with osteoarthritis. We looked into some popular choices and have reviews of our top 8 in this article.

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Blue Buffalo True Solutions Jolly Joints Mobility Support Formula Dry Dog Food has everything you want in a joint diet without breaking the bank, and it’s our pick for the best overall food for joint health. Glucosamine and chondroitin are common joint-supporting ingredients used in supplements and dog food.

They are thought to work by protecting the cartilage in the joints. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E may reduce joint inflammation associated with arthritis. We are happy with 1.5% of omega-3s in the recipe. Blue Buffalo is free from chicken by-products, corn, wheat, and soy. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives, and the formula is enriched with antioxidants.

Iams’ Advanced Health Mobility Support Chicken & Whole Grain Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food is the best food for joint health for the money. It provides the usual ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids (1%), glucosamine (540mg/kg), and chondroitin (760mg/kg). Probiotics are also included for improved gut health.

With a quality ingredient list and no artificial flavors or preservatives, we think Iams succeeds where many budget-friendly pet foods fail. The formula seems to satisfy most dogs, but as with any food, there are a few that don’t enjoy it. It only comes in a chicken flavor, so it won’t work if your dog is sensitive to chicken.

Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet Adult Advanced Mobility Support Dry Dog Food is unique in a couple of ways. Collagen is used instead of glucosamine or chondroitin for cartilage support. This recipe also includes turmeric extract as an anti-inflammatory joint protection, which lends the food a yellow color and can stain surfaces it comes into contact with.

However, this healthy ingredient may provide other benefits. The recipe is also supplemented with antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. If your dog enjoys wet food, it also comes in a canned option.

Pro-plan diets are up there with the most trusted veterinary formulas. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets JM Joint Mobility Dry Dog Food contains a minimum of 1000 mg/kg glucosamine, which is a decent amount.

This formula’s protein and fat content stand above the rest on this list, which could also explain why it’s one of the higher-calorie diets. It also contains vitamin E and 0.85% omega-3 fatty acids.

Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility Weight & Joint Care Vegetable & Tuna Stew Canned Dog Food is designed for weight loss and joint care. Since a healthy body condition is extremely important in arthritis treatment, it is perfect for canines needing to shed a few pounds.

For a canned diet, Hill’s recipe is very high in fiber. One reviewer commented on the increased flatulence in their dog while consuming it, which fits in with suspected links between fiber ingestion and flatulence.

The omega-3s, glucosamine, and chondroitin provide joint support. According to Hill’s, regularly feeding them this formula can help with movement within 21 days and weight loss in 60 days! You can also get the formula in a dry kibble if you want to mix things up.

Hill’s pet food claims this formula can improve your dog’s mobility in as little as 21 days! Omega 3 fatty acids (2%), glucosamine, and chondroitin contribute to the joint support in Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food.

There are no artificial flavors or preservatives, but you will notice there is no animal protein in the top three ingredients listed. Nevertheless, this is a premium formula that makes some great claims.

Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight & Joint Support Chicken Flavored Adult Dry Dog Food is a lower-calorie option. It provides the benefits of a premium diet, such as superior ingredients and no artificial flavors or preservatives.

The strategy for this food is to maintain a healthy weight and provide the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids (1%) for the joints. Antioxidants are present to support the immune system.

The Purina ONE Plus Joint Health Formula Natural provides glucosamine (500 mg/kg), vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids to improve the joints. It also contains antioxidants and relatively high protein.

The high-calorie content makes this formula less desirable for dogs who struggle to maintain a healthy weight. At 0.35%, the amount of omega-3s is lower than some of the others on this list.

You don’t want to waste money on products that don’t work. When looking for a joint support formula, check the ingredients listed and ensure they benefit your pup. As you have noticed from the article, not all formulas are created equal in the concentration of these ingredients.

You want to pay particular attention to ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids. After all, the joint supporting ingredients are why you’re purchasing the brand, so make sure you don’t miss out.

Every dog has different nutritional requirements. If your dog is known to be intolerant of a particular ingredient, you should read the ingredients list carefully to avoid it. For example, if your dog is allergic to chicken, you must find brands with other animal proteins.

You should also consider your dog’s weight. Weight loss is much harder if your dog eats a calorie-dense diet. Choose low-calorie options to support their weight loss journey if needed. This is an incredibly important part of improving their mobility.

Many of these formulas require vet authorization. You should always consult a vet if your dog is having mobility issues. A vet can evaluate their needs and discuss treatment options.

Remember, there are more ways to help your dog than just changing the diet, but it is an excellent first step. When changing the diet, do so gradually to avoid stomach issues, and monitor your pet for any changes. The new formula can replace the old one over a week or two in most cases.

If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

To create this buyer’s guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the dog foods we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the dog foods. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed dog foods to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.

Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with dog foods. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.

Our top pick is Blue Buffalo’s True Solutions Jolly Joints Mobility Support Formula Dry Dog Food for the ingredients used and the price. Iams’ Advanced Health Mobility Support Chicken & Whole Grain Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food provides excellent value for the money and is the most budget-friendly option on this list without compromising the quality of its ingredients list.

The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Advanced Mobility Support Dry Dog Food is more expensive but appears to be well worth the investment based on the stellar reviews. It’s also a unique formula that includes turmeric and collagen, which is certainly intriguing. There is no one-size-fits-all recipe, but hopefully, you can find a product that works for you and your pup on this list!

Featured Image Credit: Switlana Sonyashna, Shutterstock

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