Joint health supplements are among the most commonly used products in companion dog care. Understanding the evidence base helps owners make welfare-positive choices for dogs with arthritis.
Joint pain management in dogs directly affects quality of life for the large proportion of aging dogs affected by osteoarthritis. Untreated or undertreated arthritis causes chronic pain that impairs movement, feeding, sleep, and social interaction — a significant ongoing welfare burden. The supplement industry is large and inconsistent in product quality and efficacy evidence. While omega-3 fatty acids have reasonable evidence for anti-inflammatory benefits, glucosamine and chondroitin evidence is weaker and results vary. Prescription medications including NSAIDs, grapiprant, and the recently approved monoclonal antibody bedinvetmab provide more reliable pain control. Weight management at healthy body condition score is the most consistently evidence-supported intervention available to owners.