Hip and Joint Supplement Comparison

Posted on 15 July 2014
By Dr.Jill Tack
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Do you give your pets hip and joint supplements? Maybe you’ve thought about giving them to your animal, but haven’t been sure which one to give. Hopefully today’s blog post will help you learn not only how joint supplements work within the body, but also how different brands of supplements compare to one another.

Before we start our comparison, here are a few key terms you should know:

Glucosamine: Glucosamine is found naturally in the body. It provides the cornerstone for the production of cartilage and can also prevent cartilage degeneration. Glucosamine can help lubricate joints by supporting synovial fluid production. It is also shown to reduce pain associated with joint weakness.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): MSM is a natural sulfur that helps with joint pain and inflammation in the body. MSM helps to maintain the elasticity and flexibility in connective tissue.

Chondroitin: Chondroitin, which occurs naturally in the body, is an essential part of cartilage. Chondroitin absorbs fluid into the connective tissue and blocks enzymes that break down cartilage. Chondroitin also helps the body produce new cartilage.

Now on to the comparisons! As a note, the serving sizes we sampled were those recommended for an average 50-pound dog.

Hip and Joint Supplements That We Recommend:

Wholistic Pet Organics™ Run Free™ Chews

Monthly cost = $34.99

(120 chews cost $69.99, which will last for 60 days.)

Active Ingredients (per 2 chews):

Omega-3 fatty acids: 1485 mg

Omega-6 fatty acids: 1373 mg

Shark cartilage (source of chondroitin): 1080 mg

MSM: 400 mg

Glucosamine HCL: 500 mg

Glucosamine Sulfate: 500 mg

Calcium ascorbate: 30 mg

Inactive Ingredients: Organic flaxseed, organic palm oil, d-alpha tocopheryl (vitamin E), chicken liver flavor, oat groats, rice bran, rice flour, vegetable oil, glycerin, and sorbic acid

Our Analysis: Not only does Run Free support joints, but it also provides essential fatty acids, support for healthy cartilage, normal synovial fluid levels, strong bones, a healthy skin and coat, and plenty of antioxidants. Wholistic Pet uses only human-grade ingredients to ensure this supplement’s purity, strength, and effectiveness. Run Free only has 17 ingredients and is made without any fillers, synthetics, added salt, sugar, yeast, corn, wheat, or soy.

Note: While Wholistic Pet uses shark cartilage as a source of chondroitin, their shark cartilage is obtained using only legal fishing methods.

Herbsmith Sound Dog Viscosity Joint Support Chews

Monthly cost = $38.99

(60 chews cost $38.99, which will last for 30 days.)

Active Ingredients (per 2 chews):

Glucosamine HCL: 1000 mg

MSM: 1000 mg

Chondroitin sulfate: 400 mg

Boswellia: 180 mg

Corydalis: 180 mg

Curcumin: 180 mg

Yucca: 180 mg

Hyaluronic acid: 10 mg

Inactive Ingredients: Brewers yeast, chicken powder, cod liver oil, dried salmon, flaxseed meal, glycerin, lecithin, oat groats, rice bran, rice flour, sorbic acid, and triglycerides

Our Analysis: Sound Dog Viscosity is made with natural ingredients using traditional Chinese theories of healing. This supplement promotes thick, viscous joint fluid. It uses herbs to address inflammation in joints and coralis to help with nerve and chronic pain. The use of glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and herbs in this supplement help it treat all aspects of joint problems.

Hip and Joint Supplements That We Would NOT Recommend:

Nutramax Cosequin DS Plus MSM Soft Chews

Monthly cost = ~$42.99

(60 chews cost ~$42.99, which will last for 30 days)

Active Ingredients (per 2 tablets):

Glucosamine Hydrochloride: 600 mg

Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate: 300 mg

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): 400 mg

Inactive Ingredients: Starch, glycerin, natural flavor, vegetable oil, silicon dioxide, gum resin, sucralose, natural and artificial flavors, titanium dioxide, BHA (a preservative), BHT (a preservative), and lecithin

Our Analysis: Unfortunately, Nutramax uses fillers like starch in this formula, which is a carbohydrate that can cause poor digestion and weight gain. This supplement also includes unspecified “natural and artificial flavors.” Artificial flavors and titanium dioxide (which this supplement uses to obtain its white coloring) can be carcinogenic. Additionally, Nutramax uses both BHA and BHT in this supplement, which are chemicals that are highly carcinogenic and can cause tumor growth.

NaturVet® Glucosamine DS Plus MSM & Chondroitin Soft Chews

Monthly cost = ~$39.99

(120 chews cost ~$39.99, which will last 30 days)

Active Ingredients (per 2 chews):

Glucosamine HCL (Shellfish Source): 500 mg

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): 500 mg

Yucca Schidigera: 90 mg

Chondroitin Sulfate (Porcine Source): 60 mg

Calcium Ascorbate (Vitamin C): 58 mg

Dl-Alpha Tocopheryl (Vitamin E): 60 IU

Omega-3 Fatty Acid: 1800 mcg

Omega-6 Fatty Acid: 946 mcg

Inactive Ingredients: Citric acid, dicalcium phosphate, dried whey, fish oil, flaxseed, kaolin, magnesium stearate, maltodextrins, microcrystalline cellulose, natural coloring, natural flavoring, non-fat dry milk, rosemary, silica aerogel, stearic acid, and vegetable oil

Our Analysis: NaturVet uses potentially harmful ingredients in this formula including citric acid (a chemical preservative that can cause stomach and digestive upset), dicalcium phosphate (often used as a food texturizer but can become toxic to the body), and maltodextrin (a sugar that is shown to lead to obesity). NaturVet also uses magnesium stearate, which increases dissolution times and has been linked to skin and liver damage.

VetriScience^® Glyco FLEX^® 3

Monthly cost = ~$30.49

(120 chews cost ~$60.99, which will last 60 days)

Active Ingredients (per 2 chews):

Glucosamine HC1 (shrimp and crab): 1000 mg

Perna canaliculus: 600 mg

Methylsulfonylmethane: 1000 mg

N- Dimethylglycine HC1: 100 mg

Manganese: 10 mg

Vitamin E: 50 IU

Vitamin C: 24 mg

Grape seed extract: 5 mg

L-glutathione: 2 mg

Selenium: 0.002 mg

Inactive Ingredients: Brewers yeast, canola oil, chicken liver flavor, citric acid, glycerin, mixed tocopherols, propionic acid, proprietary blend (maltodextrin, sodium alginate and calcium sulfate), rosemary extract, silicon dioxide, soy lecithin, vegetable oil, and whey

Our Analysis: VetriScience uses silicon dioxide in these chews, which has been linked to renal failure. This formula also includes maltodextrin, which is a sugar that is linked directly to obesity. Soy lecithin and canola oil, both ingredients here, are genetically modified ingredients, which lead to gut dysbiosis. It is also worth noting that vegetable oil is generally rancid by the time it is on the shelf for consumption. Additionally, it can be an allergen because it can contain corn, canola, soy, peanut, olive, sesame, safflower, coconut, sunflower, cottonseed, or palm oil. Finally, the rosemary extract contained in these chews is a common trigger for seizures in dogs.

As you can see from the above comparisons, there are some safe joint and chew supplement options on the market and some potentially dangerous ones. When picking a supplement for your animal, it’s crucial to pay great attention to the ingredients. If you have any questions about how to select the right one for your pet, please don’t hesitate to ask us.

We carry Herbsmith Sound Dog Viscosity and Wholistic Pet Organics Run Free Chews in our store. You can also buy the Herbsmith chews at our online store here and the Wholistic Pet chews here.

Sources:

http://www.naturalnews.com/report_pet_food_ingredients_8.html

http://chemistry.about.com/od/foodcookingchemistry/a/bha-bht-preservatives.htm

http://www.dogshealth.com/blog/tag/kaolin/

http://www.drrons.com/beware-of-additives-in-supplements.htm

http://www.petobesityprevention.com/kibble-crack-%E2%80%93-vet-exposes-sugary-secret-of-pet-treats/

http://www.chow.com/food-news/53980/what-vegetables-go-into-vegetable-oil/