Summary
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Do they help?
Based on preliminary evidence, glucosamine and chondroitin may help reduce symptoms of degenerative joint disease in dogs and cats. Boswellia may also help, as an anti-inflammatory. MSM may help with muscle soreness. (See What It Does).
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What did CL's test find?
Most products were shown to provide their listed amounts of glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and Boswellia, but one product was found to contain far less glucosamine and chondroitin than listed on its label, and was Not Approved. Amounts of key ingredients varied greatly among products, with one product providing so little glucosamine and chondroitin that it would likely provide no benefit — this products is also listed as Not Approved.
Which product is best?
Products that passed CL's tests of quality are noted as "Approved" in the Results Table below, where they are also compared. Approved products that also provided high-quality ingredients at lowest cost — indicating superior value --- were our Top Pick for Dogs and a Top Pick for Cats.
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How much to give your pet?
- Glucosamine and chondroitin: (These may be used separately, but most supplements contain a combination. For a 25 lb. pet, a typical daily dose is 500 mg glucosamine hydrochloride and 400 mg chondroitin sulfate.
- MSM: An optimal dose has not been established.
- Boswellia: In dogs, 400 mg of Boswellia extract per 10 kg body weight (22 lbs.) has been shown to reduce joint pain and stiffness. Taking Boswellia extract along with fatty foods may enhance absorption. Note that if only Boswellia resin is listed, it is likely less potent than Boswellia extract, and extracts can vary in AKBA (a boswellic acid) concentration from about 2% to 40% -- although the amount of AKBA is rarely listed on labels.
Dosage for these each of these ingredients should be adjusted depending on the weight of your pet (see Dosage in the ConsumerTips™).
- Glucosamine and chondroitin: (These may be used separately, but most supplements contain a combination. For a 25 lb. pet, a typical daily dose is 500 mg glucosamine hydrochloride and 400 mg chondroitin sulfate.
