Joint supplements are widely used in dogs with arthritis, but the evidence base varies considerably across different products and ingredients.
Dogs with arthritis suffer chronic pain that reduces their quality of life and ability to exercise, play, and interact with their family. While supplements represent a lower-burden approach than daily medication, the welfare stakes are high if supplements with weak evidence are used instead of more effective interventions. Omega-3 fatty acids and green-lipped mussel extract have the most consistent evidence for reducing arthritic signs in dogs and are reasonable adjuncts to a comprehensive pain management plan. The most important welfare intervention is veterinary diagnosis followed by a multimodal pain management plan — supplements may be useful components but should not substitute for prescribed analgesia in significantly painful dogs.