FAQs About Our Joint/Mobility Supplement

What are the active ingredients in this product?

The key ones are glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate, and, to a lesser extent, methylsulfonylmethane (“MSM”) and turmeric.

You guys are all about evidence. To what degree is there high-quality evidence supporting the efficacy of this product?

There is what we’d call “significant but not-yet-unanimous” evidentiary support for the theory that glucosamine and chondroitin can improve mobility, decrease stiffness, and alleviate joint pain in dogs with osteoarthritis. Here are links to three (one, two, three) of the highest-quality studies finding them to be efficacious for these purposes. In addition, these active ingredients have been used in canine joint supplements for decades and are widely recommended by veterinarians – which, while not as persuasive as peer-reviewed studies, counts for something.

So we can feel pretty confident that glucosamine and chondroitin “work.” But how do they work?

Glucosamine “works” by regulating the synthesis of collagen in cartilage, the primary tissue responsible for lubricating joints. Chondroitin works by inhibiting enzymes that otherwise break down joint fluid and cartilage. So one helps your dog make more “good joint stuff” and the other helps her make less “bad joint stuff.”

What about MSM and turmeric?

MSM is a naturally-occurring substance that has been used as a joint supplement in animals (primarily horses) for decades. But its efficacy in dogs has not been as well studied. We included it in our supplement formula because we know it is safe and because its wide use by veterinarians suggests that it may also be beneficial.

There is abundant evidence that turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties are efficacious for improving joint health in human beings (see this paper for a review of the evidence). Similar studies haven’t yet been performed on dogs, but the human studies are compelling enough that we felt it would be beneficial to include turmeric in our formula.

How long does the formula take to work?

Every dog is different, but studies of glucosamine and chondroitin typically indicate improvements within 60 days of consistent use. If you haven’t had success after about 60 days, you’re probably not going to have it.

What about adverse effects?

There is no evidence that glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, turmeric, or any of the other ingredients in our joint supplement are associated with any kinds of adverse health effects. These active ingredients have been used in canine joint supplements for decades.

How much carbohydrate do they contain?

Very little. There is less than a gram of digestible carbohydrate in each soft chew. As a frame of reference, a gram is the weight of a paper clip or a pen cap.

Is this supplement a source of other nutrition (protein, etc.)?

Not really. The calorie-containing ingredients in the product are really only included so that dogs will actually eat them. Rather than thinking of these products as a kind of food or treat, think of them like chewable human-use multivitamins. They do contain some amount of protein, fat, and caloric energy, but it is minimal. The active ingredients (which provide essentially zero caloric energy) are the important things.

Okay so how many calories per chew?

About 8-9 calories/chew.

What if my dog won’t eat them?

Most dogs love the natural duck flavor of the soft chews. But if yours doesn’t, the best thing to do is crumble the chew up and then mix it into the dog’s usual food, with or without a few ounces of water to mush it all up. That usually does the trick.

Will I get my money back if my dog doesn’t like them?

Yes! Our supplements are covered by the same guarantee as all of our other products: if your dog doesn’t like the product or the product doesn’t do what you expected it to, we will refund your purchase price in its entirety and you don’t have to ship it back to us. You just need to show us some kind of proof that it was donated to a local rescue or some other worthy cause.

Is it possible for my dog to eat too many of them?

You shouldn’t feed your dog more than the recommended daily ration found on the label. This is a supplement to your dog’s usual diet, not a replacement for it.

Where are they made?

Right here in the USA.  In Missouri, to be exact.

Are there any kinds of dogs that should not eat them?

Yes, puppies and pregnant dogs shouldn’t eat them.

Can this product be used if my dog has diabetes?

Yes, but you should understand the context. As we noted above, each chew does contain about one gram (3-4 calories) worth of  digestible carbohydrate. Which means that each chew will wind up injecting about a gram of glucose into your dog’s bloodstream. But remember that a gram is a very small amount. For reference, each cup of Ketona Chicken Recipe, a very low-carb kibble, contains roughly seven grams of digestible carbohydrate. So each chew contains about the same amount of carbohydrate as 1/7 of one cup of Ketona. If this is more glucose than you feel comfortable adding to your dog’s bloodstream, you can always back down the amount of Ketona you are feeding by 1/7 of a cup.