Best joint supplement for dogs

Arthritis medicine for dogs, all natural ingredients

When one of my beloved dog began to show signs of strained movement, and had difficulty standing up, I was faced with a reality many pet owners dread: arthritis. Determined not to let this condition diminish his quality of life, I embarked on a mission to find a solution that would restore his youthful spirit and alleviate his discomfort.

I found a joint supplement for dogs that worked wonders for him which contained Cetyl Myristoleate. Only 3 brands have Cetyl Myristoleate as an active ingredient: Flexpet, Myristin and Nutrivet. Some of the supplements can also be used for cats, small animals  or horses. This writing focuses on the use of the supplements with Cetyl Myristoleate for dogs specifically.

Please talk to your vet first to confirm that your dog has joint problems or arthritis, before using the supplements. And keep in mind: there is no cure for old age!

Comparing ingredients of joint supplement for dogs:

All of the brands have natural ingredients with little to no side effects. To relieve your dog’s suffering you tend to give him pain medication, which does not address the root cause of the joint-related problems. However, these natural supplements aim at treating the real issue instead of the symptoms.

I compared 4 supplements: Flexpet maximum strength soft chews, Flexpet regular strength tablets, Myristin Hip & Joint Formula for dogs, Cats & Small Animals and Nutrivet Cetyl-M Joint Action Formula (Advanced strength) (Formerly known as Response Advanced Cetyl M Joint Action Formula For Dogs).

Usually, only a percentage of CMO complex is Cetyl Myristoleate, Myristin states the exact amount of Cetyl Myristoleate contained in their CMO complex.

Glucosamine Sulfate Potassium and Glucosamine Sulfate 2KLC both stand for Glucosamine sulfate bonded with potassium salt to improve its stability.

Effects on joint health

How much does it cost?

The cost is per chew, and cost per day. Please note: the amount of the active ingredients in each tablet or chew varies. The dosage of the supplements plays an important role and it is a lot cheaper when you buy in bulk. I compared the cost of a maintenance dosage for your dog when you buy in bulk. At the time I wrote this article, the pricing is as stated in the overview below. You can see that Flexpet tablets are in general the most expensive and Nutrivet the least expensive.

However, costs are very much dependent on the weight of your dog. Be aware that Nutrivet states: 1 tablet per 25 lbs. So if you have a big dog they need to take a lot of tablets. This makes it more expensive, plus you have to feed your dog a lot of tablets! For instance: for a small dog that weighs 25 lbs or less, Flexpet soft chews and Nutrivet cost exactly the same.

* Nutrivet states: 1 tablet per 25 lbs. **Flexpet tablets state: 6 tablets when more than 110 lbs. General note: Pricing 2023.

Reviews of joint supplement for dogs

All the researched supplements have good ratings and reviews overall.

Flexpet maximum strength soft chews and Flexpet regular strength tablets are available at flexpet.com.

Pros: 

• Flexpet has a money-back guarantee. If you don’t feel the product is working to your satisfaction, simply return the empty bottles (up to 3!) for a full refund, less shipping and handling.
• The soft chews are great for bigger dogs and if your dog has problems chewing. (That’s why I use these!)
• Natural bacon flavoring (soft chews) or liver flavoring (tablets). Can be used as treats.
• Backed by a veterinarian.

Cons:

The tablets are large and very hard.

Myristin Hip and Joint Formula for dogs, available at mysristin.com.

Pros:

• If you are not satisfied, full refunds are provided. Refunds are limited to one refund per customer in the same household. 
• They have an alternative if your dog has allergies to the ingredients in Myristin Hip & Joint Formula tablets: a combination of Myristin soft gels and Myristin-Aid capsules.
• Most dogs do not like the taste of MSM, the MSM in Myristin is coated so no taste to it.
• Natural bacon flavoring, can be used as treats.
• Backed by veterinarians.

Cons:

The tablets are very hard.

Nutrivet Advanced Cetyl-M Joint Action Formula for Dogs: available at Valleyvet, Chewy.com, HealthyPets.com, Wholesalepet.com, Ebay.com and more.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying puchases at no extra cost for you.

Pros:

• Relatively cheaper
• Natural liver flavoring, can be used as treat.
• Created by veterinarians.

Cons:

• The tablets are very large.
• A lot of tablets per day if you have a big dog.
• No MSM as an ingredient.
• No refund when not satisfied.

Conclusion

Cetyl Myristoleate supplements can work wonders for your dog’s mobility and flexibility and reduce their pain. Flexpet and Myristin cost a little more, but they added MSM to their supplements, which does give the supplements extra value. MSM has an anti-inflammatory effect and supports different functions in the body: the immune system and repairing connective tissue.

A tip: Administer the joint supplement for dogs during or after your dog has eaten to reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal upset.

I would love to hear about your experiences!