Whether it’s gleeful zoomies or enthusiastic ‘whole-bum’ wagging, dogs just naturally can’t contain the joy of movement. To make sure that they can do what nature intended and release that feel-good energy whenever they want, it’s important to support your dog’s joints at different stages of their life.

We have developed a range of joint care products specifically designed to keep them moving, from every day support, to those experiencing joint health challenges.

But which joint supplement – JointWell® or MoveWellia® – is best for your dog? What should you be using, and why?

What causes joint problems?

Every dog is different and the cause of joint problems varies widely. Some dogs are just more prone to joint issues due to breed or developmental abnormalities. A previous injury can also play a big role in needing more joint support as they get older.

There are two main categories of joint problems for dogs: developmental and degenerative causes.

• Developmental problems, such as hip dysplasia, can be caused by the joint developing incorrectly. These can cause joint problems on their own and can also lead to the development of other joint issues due to abnormal wear-and-tear of the joints.

• Degenerative problems, such as arthritis, can be caused by ligaments or cartilage degrading over time.

It’s important to ensure you are getting the correct diagnosis from a veterinarian who will be able to guide any medical treatment needed for their dog’s specific joint issue.

Does my dog need a joint supplement?

The answer is likely ‘yes’, as it’s never too early to start your dog’s joint health journey. Many joint health problems start before your dog shows signs, which can be hard to appreciate as you watch them having their ‘mad five minutes’!

All dogs, regardless of age or breed, will experience wear and tear on their joints throughout their lives. This this can lead to joint problems in the future, causing pain and stiffness.

Some dogs are also just more prone to joint issues due to developmental abnormalities or previous injury. Protecting joints now is the best way to keep them moving long into the future.

What should you look for in a joint supplement?

There are many supplement ingredients with well-established benefits for dogs that require joint health support. A supplement can be a really good way to make sure that your dog is getting multi-faceted joint support. Often, ingredients can also complement each other by acting on different pathways, as some ingredients can even boost each other’s effects when combined (known as synergistic interaction).

Ensure an everyday joint supplement contains glucosamine & chondroitin, to support and strengthen joint function.

For advanced joint support, Boswellia supports natural anti-inflammatory pathways in the body and can improve joint comfort.

What is the best joint supplement to use to prevent issues?

JointWell® has been expertly formulated with vets to help maintain long-term joint health, with a unique combination of proven natural active ingredients promoting a healthy joint environment.

JointWell® supports suppleness and flexibility for free and comfortable movement, containing:

Glucosamine: Produced naturally in the body, this amino sugar cushions the joints to maintain comfort and mobility.

Chondroitin: As one of the essential building blocks of joint cartilage, chondroitin ensures the elasticity of cartilage, which is essential for joint shock absorption. Supplementation helps keep cartilage hydrated and supple, maintaining joint function and strength.

Vitamin C: Helps maintain the health of collagen - a key component of the joint support structures.

Zinc: Important for the maintenance of cartilage health, especially when it is at risk of damage.

Hyaluronic acid: A naturally occurring gel-like substance, hyaluronic acid is an important component of joint fluid, which lubricates the joint, promoting mobility.

JointWell® has been specifically formulated as an upgrade on Glucosamine & Chondroitin Tablets, including:

- New formulation: A unique blend of natural active compounds to maintain long-term joint health in all dogs.

- Ethical and sustainable ingredients: At Dorwest we only use the highest quality ingredients, which are always from sustainable sources and ethically harvested.

- Formulated with vets: For maximum efficacy and quality.

- Easy to give: With small sized tablets, JointWell is easy to give to even the fussiest dog.

- Great value: Multi-active formulation which only costs £0.30 per day for a 25kg dog (at maintenance amounts).

- Manufactured to the highest standards: Our products are all produced to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards (the standards which are used for the manufacture of medicines). We carry out extensive testing, from raw ingredient, through the production process to end product, to guarantee quality and consistency.

How can you support established joint issues?

MoveWellia® has been specifically developed for advanced joint care to support dogs experiencing joint health challenges, including stiffness and ‘slowing-up’. MoveWellia® is also ideal for dog’s involved in canine sports such as Canicross and agility, to help support joints that are under more strain from activity, or for those breeds prone to injury or joint health conditions.

The unique blend of natural active compounds with supportive properties include joint health super-star herbal extract Boswellia - the latest joint health herbal ingredient to burst onto the scene; derived from the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree with a long history of use for inflammatory joint conditions.

MoveWellia® has been expertly formulated with vets to deliver powerful joint support to maintain comfort and mobility:

Boswellia: Its primary active compounds are boswellic acids, which support natural anti-inflammatory pathways in the body, making it great for dogs that are prone to inflammatory joint conditions. MoveWellia® includes boswellia which contains 90% boswellic acids, for optimal effect.

Celery Seed: Containing active compounds that include polysaccharides and antioxidants, this power herb improves joint comfort by supporting good blood circulation to joints and connective tissue repair processes.

Glucosamine hydrochloride: Produced naturally in the body, this amino sugar cushions the joints to maintain comfort and mobility. Glucosamine production reduces as dogs age, resulting in weaker joint cartilage and increased risk of joint discomfort.

Vitamin C: Increasingly recognised as an important component of natural anti-inflammatory pathways, Vitamin C also helps maintain the health of collagen - a key component of the joint support structures.

Zinc: Recognised as a key mineral deficiency in some inflammatory joint conditions, supplementation can help improve joint comfort.

Hyaluronic acid: A naturally occurring gel-like substance, hyaluronic acid is an important component of joint fluid, which lubricates the joint, promoting mobility.

See our MoveWellia® FAQS blog to read more >

Finally, is there anything else can you do to prevent joint issues?

If your dog breed is especially prone to joint issues or active, there are a few ways to support joints from early on.

Aside from supplements, it’s important to ensure:

- your dog has a warm and comfortable bed that will support joints properly during rest and sleep.

- regular exercise ensures your dog stays active to maintain joint flexibility and build muscle mass. If your dog has a high activity level, a joint supplement can help to give extra support to joints that are under strain from high impact activity.

- food and water bowls are not in a position that the dog needs to strain to reach can avoid neck and spinal injuries further down the line. Try to elevate dishes and bowls to make them more accessible.

- keep your dog’s nails trimmed is important and can reduce additional strain on joints and ligaments as letting them grow too long can be painful and can alter the natural movement of the dog.