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10 Best German Shepherd Joint and Hip Supplements – 2024 Reviews and Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

red german shepherd

As all German Shepherd owners know, this dog is a loving and large breed. As such, German Shepherds are prone to developing hip dysplasia and other joint problems later in life. To ensure your pet stays happy and healthy for years to come, it’s important to stay on top of his joint health. Adding a supplement that promotes joint health can boost your pet’s mobility and prevent potential problems down the road. Moreover, high-quality supplements decrease pain, accelerate joint repair, and are a more affordable alternative to prescription medicines.

But with so many supplements available on the market, finding the perfect one for your pooch can be tricky. Luckily, we’ve assembled a comprehensive list of our favorite hip and joint supplements for German Shepherds. With honest review and extensive research, we’ve provided you with our top picks to ensure your beloved dog enjoys optimal joint health well into his golden years.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites – 2024 Update

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Nutramax Dasuquin MSM Nutramax Dasuquin MSM
  • Affordable
  • High-quality ingredients formulated for large breeds
  • Vet recommended
  • Best Value
    Second place
    VetriScience GlycoFlex VetriScience GlycoFlex
  • Good for dogs of all ages and activity levels
  • Flavorful for picky eaters
  • Loaded with joint compounds
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    ElleVet Hemp CBD Chews ElleVet Hemp CBD Chews
  • Soothes joint discomfort
  • All-natural
  • Appealing flavor
  • Best for Puppies
    Vetericyn Puppy Supplements Vetericyn Puppy Supplements
  • Formulated for puppies
  • Great taste makes for easy feeding
  • Affordable
  • Nutramax Laboratories Nutramax Laboratories
  • No ASUs
  • Affordable
  • Vet recommended
  • The 10 Best German Shepherd Supplements for Joint and Hip Care

    1. Nutramax Dasuquin Chewable Tablets – Best Overall

    Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Large Dog Chewable Tablets

    These chewable tablets are our pick for best overall German Shepherd supplements for joint and hip care. Specially formulated for dogs weighing 60 pounds or more (as many German Shepherds are), these tablets are brimming with 900 mg of Glucosamine, 350 mg of CS, and 800 mg of MSM. This product is recommended by vets, made in the US, and included globally sourced ingredients. Plus, it’s affordable! Some dogs might not like the taste.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • High-quality ingredients formulated for large breeds
    • Vet recommended
    Cons
    • Some dogs might not like the taste
    • Might smell funny

    2. VetriScience GlycoFlex Chicken Soft Chews– Best Value

    VetriScience GlycoFlex Stage III Chicken Flavored Soft Chews Joint Supplement for Dogs

    This product is definitely the best German Shepherd supplement for joint and hip care for the money. Their yummy flavor makes them perfect for picky eaters. These supplements are loaded with essential joint compounds including Glucosamine and MSM. They work well for large working breeds, active pups, and seniors suffering from joint pain symptoms. This product is also very affordable.

    Pros
    • Good for dogs of all ages and activity levels
    • Flavorful for picky eaters
    • Loaded with joint compounds
    Cons
    • Some dogs might not like the taste
    • Some dogs might not show signs of improvement

    3. ElleVet Hemp CBD Chews – Premium Choice

    ElleVet Hemp CBD + CBDA Chews

    ElleVet Hemp CBD chews offer all of the benefits of CBD for dogs. Made for breeds 50 pounds and over, these soft chewable tablets soothe joint pain, shaking, stress, and even cognitive issues. These supplements are peanut-butter flavored, making them super appealing to almost any dog. It’s important to know that this product is more expensive than others.

    Pros
    • Soothes joint discomfort
    • All-natural
    • Appealing flavor
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Does contain CBD

    4. Vetericyn ALL-IN Life-Stage Supplements– Best for Puppies

    Vetericyn ALL-IN Life-Stage Puppy Dog Supplement

    It’s important to note that even German Shepherd puppies can be affected by joint issues. To boost your puppy’s health, consider giving him this joint supplement specially formulated for puppies. Offering ingredients that promote targeted areas of your puppy’s health, these tasty and affordable supplements will start him out on the right paw.

    Pros
    • Formulated for puppies
    • Great taste makes for easy feeding
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Some puppies might not like the taste
    • Can make some dogs vomit

    5. Nutramax Laboratories Consequin DS Plus MSM

    Cosequin Maximum Strength PLUS

    Another great line of joint supplements from Nutramax Laboratories, Consequin doesn’t contain any ASUs or similar ingredients. These vet-recommended supplements are great for larger dogs, like your German Shepherd. Available in tasty chicken flavors for easy feeding, this affordable product is made in America and includes MSM and HA.

    Pros
    • No ASUs
    • Affordable
    • Vet recommended
    Cons
    • May not work on some dogs
    • Some dogs may react poorly

    6. NaturVet Senior Chewable Tablets Joint Supplements

    NaturVet Senior Wellness Chewable Tablets Joint Supplement for Dogs

    This all-natural supplement doesn’t contain anything it shouldn’t. Made with senior dogs in mind by a company with over 20 years of experience, NaturVet supplements help with the pains of hip dysplasia and arthritis. Their soft consistency makes them great for senior dogs that have a tough time chewing. They are more expensive than other products on our list.

    Pros
    • All-natural
    • Soft for easy chewing
    • Formulated for older dogs
    Cons
    • Pricy
    • Some dogs won’t like the taste

    7. WoofWell Health Supplements

    WOOFWELL® GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG HEALTH SUPPORT SUPPLEMENT

    This breed-specific health supplement is specially formulated for German Shepherds by vets. The bacon-flavored soft chew makes for easy feeding and caters to your German Shepherd’s specific health needs. This product promotes joint health, elbow and hip function, and has other health benefits, including Omega 3 for healthy skin and fur. It is more expensive than other products on our list.

    Pros
    • Breed-specific for German Shepherds
    • Bacon flavored for simple feeding
    • Other health benefits
    Cons
    • Some dogs won’t enjoy the taste
    • Pricy

    8. Vet’s Best Aches and Pains Joint Supplement Chew Tablets

    Vet's Best Aches + Pains Chewable Tablets Joint Supplement for Dogs

    These chew tablets from Vet’s Aches and Pains help to alleviate soreness and stiffness from joint-related issues. All-natural, this product is specially formulated using a premium blend of plant-based ingredients, including pineapple bromelain and white willow bark, and does not include any aspirin. It’s fast-acting and can be used on dogs of all ages and sizes. These supplements were also formulated by vets and boast a Natural Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Seal of Approval. It’s also very affordable. Some dog owners reported the product as foul-smelling. Due to the large size of the tablets, some dogs may have trouble consuming them.

    Pros
    • All-natural
    • Formulated by vets
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • May smell bad
    • Some dogs may have trouble consuming supplements

    9. Zesty Paws Senior Advanced Mobility Bites

    Zesty Paws Advanced Mobility Bites

    If your pooch is persnickety about his food, then Zesty Paws’ tasty tablets could be the perfect supplements for you! These chicken-flavored bites feature a potent flavor and aroma designed to entice nearly every German Shepherd. Designed to promote joint and hip health, this product contains OptiMSM, Hyaluronic Acid, Glucosamine, and other essential ingredients. It also helps to encourage joint lubrication in dogs of all ages. These supplements cost more than others on this list.

    Pros
    • Flavorful for easy feeding
    • Essential ingredients for joint health
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Some dogs may not like the taste

    10. Fera Pet Organics Hip and Joint Soft Chew Supplements

    Fera Pet Organics Hip & Joint Soft Chew Dog Supplement

    If gluten-free products are your thing, then check out these gluten-free hip and joint health dog supplements from Fera Pets. These organic, vet-formulated soft chew tablets have no preservatives and are wonderful for dogs with food-related allergies. They work on all types of canines and include MSM, Glucosamine, and other critical ingredients for healthy joints and hips. Some dog owners reported that their pets did not enjoy the flavor.

    Pros
    • Gluten-free
    • Formulated by vets
    • Works for most dogs
    Cons
    • Some dogs won’t like the taste

    Divider 8

    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best GSD Supplement for Joint & Hip

    When shopping around for the best German Shepherd supplements for joint and hip health, always be sure to consult with your vet first. After you get the go-ahead, look for soft-chew tablets that are easy for your pet to consume. Flavored supplements, such as chicken or beef, will make the product more tempting to your pooch.

    Look for dog joint and hip health supplements that contain MSM, Glucosamine, Chrondroitin Sulfate, and other natural ingredients. We highly recommend purchasing vet-formulated supplements for your German Shepherd.

    When giving your dog any type of supplement, be sure to always read the label carefully. Only give your dog the dosage recommended for his size.

    Never give your dog any kind of human supplements, vitamins, or pain medication for his joint and hip health. Human supplements can contain active ingredients that are dangerous for dogs. If your pet got into your vitamins, closely observe him for signs of lethargy, vomiting, discomfort, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and other red flags. Call your vet immediately if your dog shows signs of distress.

    Benefits of Dog Supplements

     Choosing to give your German Shepherd health supplements comes with a lot of perks. Supplements provide your pet with essential nutrients, boost immunity, improves his skin and coat, increases absorption rates, maintains digestion health, enhances cognitive development, and promote hip and joint health.

    Divider 5

    Conclusion

    Based upon the reviews and our careful research, we’ve concluded that the best overall choice for German Shepherd hip and joint supplements is Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Large Dog Chewable Tablets. This is because they are affordable, easy to give your dog, and effective. The best supplements for your value are the VetriScience GlycoFlex Stage III Chicken Flavored Soft Chews. They are affordable, flavorful, and contain essential ingredients to promote hip and joint health. Finally, our premium supplement choice is the ElleVet Hemp CBD Chews products. Though expensive, they’re all-natural and have flavorful tastes.

    Whatever hip and joint health supplements you choose to give your German Shepherd, always be sure to consult with your vet first.


    Featured Photo Credit: Callipso, Shutterstock

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