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This guide has been written and verified by our veterinary advisor.
Approved By: Dr. Joanna De Klerk, DVM
I love my job as a vet. I do a lot of work with old, arthritic dogs, as my specialty is pain management. Unfortunately, with these dogs, their condition cannot be reversed. So, my job is to make them as comfortable as possible and stop the progression of the arthritis. It’s not an easy job!
Many people bring their dogs to me with the idea that I am going to dispense medications, and I may well do. But one thing which is underappreciated is the effectiveness of a good joint supplement, and I emphasize the word good. There are so many poor-quality joint supplements out there on the market, with a variety of different ingredients, and as a result, many do not work. It’s not easy to decipher which is the best but today we are going to look specifically at ones which contain liquid glucosamine for dogs, and teach you a bit more about what to look out for.
We’ll review the best supplements currently available on the market:
Our Winner!
Best Liquid Glucosamine for Dogs: Pure Paw Nutrition
In the second part, we’ll talk about the top topics regarding Liquid Glucosamine For Dogs:
- What is glucosamine for dogs?
- what exactly is glucosamine?
- The Benefits of giving Liquid Glucosamine for Your Dog
- Conditions that Glucosamine May Treat
- Healthy Dogs Who May Benefit from Liquid Glucosamine Supplements
- Adverse reactions from glucosamine for dogs
- Can I Give My Dog Glucosamine Made for human?
- Liquid Glucosamine Dosage
- How Long Until I See Results?
- A Buying Guide
Top 6 Best Liquid Glucosamine For Dogs Reviews
BestPaw Dog Glucosamine Liquid supplement is a joint supplement which is mixed with chondroitin, MSM and hyaluronic acid. It claims it is ‘pure and powerful’ for uncomfortable joints. The main ingredient in it is aloe vera juice, which makes a healthy based to the product without adding lots of flavorings.
- Lots of natural ingredients
- Liquid form so it is absorbed quickly
- Easy to administer
- Made in the USA
- Needs to be refrigerated
- Contains glucosamine hydrochloride
- Must be given with food to reduce the changes of gastrointestinal upsets
- No scientific studies looking at its efficacy
- Contains shellfish, beef, and pork which can all be allergens
Rejenease is a premium liquid glucosamine joint supplement for dogs. It claims it is extra strength and you are likely to see effects in a very short period of time. The glucosamine is mixed with chondroitin and MSM. The main ingredient in pure aloe vera juice, which is a great natural base. It contains no sugar, starch, salt, wheat, gluten, yeast, corn, milk or soy derivatives.
- Lots of natural ingredients
- Liquid form so it is absorbed quickly
- Claims you will see a difference in 7 days.
- Easy to administer
- 100% money back guarantee after one finished bottle
- Needs to be refrigerated
- Contains glucosamine hydrochloride
- Must be given with food to reduce the changes of gastrointestinal upsets
- No scientific studies looking at its efficacy
- Contains shellfish, beef, and pork which can all be allergens
- Claims ‘extra strength’ but still 1600mg per fluid ounce, which is similar to other glucosamine products.
PurePaw and BestPaw actually are both products produced by Pure Paw Nutrition, however even though they are very similar and come out of the same manufacturing plant, there are some fundamental differences between the products.
PurePaw liquid glucosamine is safe for both dogs and cats, and is fortified with not only chondroitin, MSM and hyaluronic acid, but also CoQ10, vitamin C and vitamin B.
- Lots of natural ingredients
- Contains glucosamine sulfate
- Added health ingredients such as Vitamin C, L-Proline, Grapeseed Extract, CoQ10, and Vitamin B Complex
- Liquid form so it is absorbed quickly
- Easy to administer
- Made in the USA
- No refrigeration needed
- Unique bacon flavor
- No scientific studies looking at its efficacy
- Does not state where the glucosamine has been sourced from
Liquid Health K9 glucosamine is a liquid glucosamine product made by Liquid Health Naturals. They were founded in 1991, and have been producing high-quality liquid health products ever since. They specifically draw on the expert knowledge of health professionals.
- Lots of natural ingredients
- Liquid form so it is absorbed quickly
- Long history of the company in the industry
- Formulated with the advice of health professionals
- Manufactured in the USA
- Needs to be refrigerated
- Contains glucosamine hydrochloride
- No scientific studies looking at its efficacy
- Contains shellfish, beef, and pork which can all be allergens
- Dispensing chamber measurements does not allow for easy measuring of the dosages
- May cause gastrointestinal upsets in some dogs
- In 2014, Consumer Labs failed this product because it contained only 16% of the amount of chondroitin it claimed it had.
TerraMax Pro Hip and Joint Supplement Extra Strength is similar to most other liquid glucosamine products. It is a mixture of glucosamine, chondroitin, Opti-MSM and hyaluronic acid mixed in pure aloe vera juice. It claims it is a powerful formula and offers a 100% love it or your money back guarantee.
- Lots of natural ingredients
- Liquid form so it is absorbed quickly
- Lasts longer than other formulas
- Opti-MSM is tested at over 1000 times greater sensitivity than normal MSM
- It is ultra-purified and distilled
- Easy to administer
- Made in the USA in a GMP certified facility
- Money back guarantee
- Needs to be refrigerated
- Contains glucosamine hydrochloride
- Must be given with food to reduce the changes of gastrointestinal upsets
- No scientific studies looking at its efficacy
- Contains shellfish, beef, and pork which can all be allergens.
Osteo-Pet’s liquid glucosamine supplement has been specifically marketed for dogs with hip and joint problems. It is made in the USA and comes veterinarian recommended. It is bacon flavor and comes in an easy to measure dispensing bottle.
- Liquid form so it is absorbed quickly
- Easy to administer
- Made in the USA
- Bacon flavor
- Needs to be refrigerated
- Contains glucosamine hydrochloride
- Ingredients are not available to view prior to purchasing
- No scientific studies to look at its efficacy
- Contains pork allergens.
Glucosamine is a very common ingredient in pet joint supplements. It is frequently mixed with other ingredients, such as chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid, omega oils, and green lipped mussel. Out of all these ingredients though, glucosamine has the most scientific evidence that it works.
Glucosamine is a hexosamine sugar, which is proposed to act as a precursor for GAGs (which we will learn about in the next section). There are two forms; glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. The sulfate version is much more effective than the hydrochloride version.
Glucosamine supplements can come in many different forms; powders, treats, tablets and liquids are the most common ones. Depending on your dog, you may find one form is easier than another, but most owners have no issue with giving their dog a liquid. That is why today, we will just be looking at liquid glucosamine supplements.
Glucosamine works in many ways to benefit your dog. Therefore, by providing a glucosamine supplement, you will be improving many aspects of your dog’s joints, improving his comfort, and slowing down the progression of his joint disease.
Here are some ways in which glucosamine works:
Glucosamine stimulates glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis.
Joint cartilage contains GAGs, and the severity of Joint disease is directly associated with a reduction of GAG concentration. A decrease of GAGs reduces the joints ability to bear forces, resulting in damage to cartilage cells. Therefore, stimulating GAG production counteracts this.(1)
Nitric Oxide and Prostaglandin E2 synthesis is decreased with glucosamine.
Nitric Oxide and Prostaglandin E2 are substances naturally occurring in the body which cause inflammation. Glucosamine suppresses the genes which signal production of these, and as a result, act as an anti-inflammatory.(2)
Glucosamine supplementation significantly reduces Joint pain.
A reduction in pain, as a result of glucosamine supplements, allows for lower doses of pain relief medication to be used. Therefore, fewer side effects from the medication will be apparent, keeping your dog in a healthier condition.
Joint fluid composition and viscosity is improved by glucosamine.
Synoviocytes, the cells which produce joint fluid, are stimulated my glucosamine to produce hyaluronic acid. This improves the joint fluid volume and viscosity to lubricate the joint, which is often compromised in arthritic joints.(3)
Lameness is a familiar sight to may veterinarians, especially in my field. The causes of lameness, and the associated pain can vary widely from trauma to joint disease.Over 80% of joint diseases in dogs are caused by osteoarthritis, which is commonly associated with developmental joint disease, such as elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, or cruciate ligament disease, that cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is so important that we keep our animals’ joints as healthy as possible.
Dog Osteoarthritis:Unfortunately, osteoarthritis is not a reversible condition. When a joint has osteoarthritis, the cartilage and underlying bone gradually deteriorates, which reduces the shock absorbing ability of the joint. The capsule around the joint also becomes thickened, which limits the blood flow to the joint. Finally, the joint fluid decreases and becomes thinner, which means the joint becomes poorly lubricated. Glucosamine helps to reduce the inflammation of the joint capsule, improves joint fluid and slows down the deterioration of the cartilage.
Hip and Elbow dysplasia: Joint dysplasia of the hip or elbow is a common condition in pedigree breeds of dog.
- The hip is a ball and socket joint where the head of the femur (ball) fits into a socket in the pelvis. Normally this should be a perfect match, like pieces of a puzzle, but when a dog has hip dysplasia either the ball or the socket is malformed. When the shapes don’t match well, it means the joint is less stable when it moves.
- Elbow dysplasia, on the other hand, has many different elements to it. It is not as simple a joint as the hip, and within the elbow dysplasia condition, there can be multiple abnormalities in development. This ultimately leads to lameness or an unusual gait.
Inevitably, all dogs which have joint dysplasia, will one day get arthritis; however, the aim is to avoid this for as long as possible.
Therefore, glucosamine helps to keep the joint well lubricated and moving to the best of its ability.
Intervertebral Disc Disease: Also known as IVDD, intervertebral disc disease is common in dogs with long backs and short legs, such as Dachshunds. This is because they suffer from a condition called chondrodystrophy, which causes abnormal cartilage development. This also implicates the health of the spinal discs which are made up of cartilage. They are prone to bulging or rupturing, which can put pressure on the spinal cord, leading to paralysis and discomfort. Supplements which help maintain cartilage health, such as glucosamine, can ensure that these discs do not degenerate and cause problems.
Large breeds
If you own a large breed dog, it is especially important that they receive a joint supplement which contains glucosamine. This is because large breed dogs have an abnormal amount of gravitational force on their joints, leading to increased concussive forces throughout their lives. This makes them more susceptible to developing arthritis over time.
Overweight dogs
Much like large breed dogs, overweight dogs also have increased gravitational forces on their joints due to their size. This is even more stress than a large breed dog might experience, as comparatively, an overweight dog’s joints are smaller with the same, increased, gravitational force on them. Glucosamine can help to protect those joints, but the primary aim should still be to decrease the dog’s weight.
Highly active dogs
Dogs which love to run and jump, not only use their joints more, but they used their joints in a more concussive manner than sedentary dogs. Turning quickly, and landing hard on the ground means that the joints have to work hard. This is not a bad thing but will benefit from that extra bit of support which glucosamine can give.
Dogs genetically predisposed to joint dysplasia
As previously mentioned, joint dysplasia is a condition which can lead to sore elbows and hips, and that benefits greatly from glucosamine. Breeds which are predisposed to joint dysplasia include Labradors, Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, Springer and Cocker Spaniels, Dobermans, Newfoundlands, Rottweilers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Pugs, French Bulldogs and Basset Hounds.
Dogs who’ve had surgery
For some dogs, surgery may cause them temporary discomfort. This is even more so for orthopedic surgeries, but not exclusively them. When an uncomfortable dog walks, he will shift his weight so that the least amount of pressure is put on the area which hurts. This results in uneven load bearing on the joints. Glucosamine can help support those joints through this time.
Dogs who’ve suffered a traumatic joint
Any dog who has suffered from an injury to the joint will be predisposed to osteoarthritis. Even though it may not happen immediately, the joint will be compromised in the long run due to an inflamed joint capsule and reduced blood supply. Glucosamine will help reduce the amount of inflammation in the joint and therefore allow the blood supply to be maintained.
There is no scientifically proven dosage for glucosamine in dogs, let alone liquid glucosamine in comparison to powdered glucosamine. Many different doses and dosing schedules have been used in small scale clinical trials, however, there is very little consistency. It is generally recommended that 20mg/lb. per day is an effective dose. So, for example, a dog which weights 30lbs will need approximately 600mg per day. This is somewhat, anecdotal though.
Many people find that at this dose, glucosamine is not particularly effective, but the issue is that most people neglect to follow a loading dose. This dose is double the maintenance dose, i.e. 40mg/lb., and should be given for four weeks. This allows the glucosamine to reach therapeutic levels in the blood.
Side effects
Luckily, glucosamine is very safe, so it is highly unlikely that you will notice any side effects or allergic reactions in your dog. Rare, reported side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Allergic reactions, i.e. swelling
- Increased thirst and urination
In extremely large doses, dogs can experience liver failure, however, if kept to the dosing regime, this is highly unlikely to happen.
Unfortunately, many joint supplements contain other contaminants, and therefore, side effects can come about because of these additions. As a result, it is wise to thoroughly research the joint supplement you wish to buy for your dog, to ensure it is of high quality and purity.
Interactions with blood sugar
As glucosamine is technically a sugar, some veterinarians are hesitant for dogs with diabetes to be given it. Diabetes is when there is not enough insulin to bring down the blood glucose levels after a meal or treat. As a result, they can rise dangerously high and cause serious health implications.
Nevertheless, there have been some scientific studies which have looked into this, and none definitively confirm whether glucosamine increases blood sugar levels or affects insulin resistance. In fact, most have concluded that glucosamine is safe for diabetic patients, however glucose levels should still be closely monitored, and the supplement should be given at the time an insulin injection is also given.
In short, yes you can give human glucosamine to dogs, however, it should be done so with caution. Human glucosamine and dog glucosamine are exactly the same, but the ingredients that go with them can vary.
Some ingredients can be toxic to dogs, and so you should always read the label before deciding whether to give your dog human glucosamine. Xylitol is a common sweetener, added to some human oral supplements. This is a good example of one potential ingredient which can be very harmful. Xylitol causes a rapid decrease in blood sugar levels and can cause seizures and death very quickly, therefore it should be avoided at all costs.
If you are unsure about the ingredients, it is always better to be safe than sorry, and stick to the dog glucosamine supplements.
- Does it contain glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine hydrochloride? Glucosamine sulfate is the more effective version.
- Is it cheap? Chances are if you are buying something cheap, it will not be very effective.
- Does it state how much glucosamine is in it? You should buy a product with a high amount of glucosamine compared to other ingredients.
- Are there lots of ingredients in it? If it is bulked up with other ingredients, this means it is more likely to contain contaminants.
- Where are they produced? There have been increasing reports of contaminated supplements being sourced from China, therefore look for products which are sourced in the USA or in your home country
The results may seem to initially be slow, but they will be worth the wait. You can expect to start seeing an effect of glucosamine after 4-6 weeks, which is when the loading dose ends. However, the full effect may take up to three months to become fully apparent.
Our Verdict
So, are you sold on any of these products?
Whilst all of them have obvious good and bad points, the winner in my eyes is the PurePaw Dog Glucosamine Supplement. The main reason for this is that it is the only one which contains glucosamine sulfate, which is significantly more effective than glucosamine hydrochloride. The added vitamins and eco-friendly packaging are also added bonus points, which none of the others have.
So, if your dog is struggling with a joint problem, or is simply old, large, overweight or active, why don’t you give a liquid glucosamine product a go, and see how it can improve his life?
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