Joint supplements are among the most commonly used products for dogs with osteoarthritis. Understanding the evidence helps owners make welfare-based decisions about supplementation.
Joint supplements are appealing to owners who want to actively support their dog's comfort but the evidence for most supplements is weaker than marketing suggests. The welfare risk of relying on supplements with limited evidence is that dogs with significant OA pain may receive inadequate treatment while owners believe they are addressing the problem. The welfare-positive approach uses supplements with the best evidence (omega-3 fatty acids, potentially green lipped mussel) as adjuncts to evidence-based medical treatment including NSAIDs and bedinvetmab, rather than as alternatives to effective pharmaceutical management. Consulting a veterinarian about evidence-based OA management prevents welfare harm from under-treating chronic joint pain.