Glucosamine for Dogs: Explained

Whether your dog is starting to slow down, seems a little stiff after long snoozes, or you simply want to look after their joint health for the future, Glucosamine is a well-known ingredient that many owners choose to support their dog’s mobility.

It’s included in both of our Dorwest joint care supplements because it plays an important role in maintaining the normal structure and function of joints, helping your dog stay comfortable and active as they grow, explore, and enjoy life.

If you’d like to understand more about why Glucosamine supplements are such a popular choice among dog owners, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in.

What is Glucosamine?

Within your dog's joints, you'll find cartilage, synovial fluid and connective tissues. Glucosamine is a natural amino sugar found in and around these three joint components, helping keep them flexible, strong and ready for action.

As dogs age, normal wear and tear means their body can no longer naturally produce enough Glucosamine to keep up with bodily needs, which often leads to stiffness. Because of this – or following a sudden injury – supplementation with Glucosamine for dogs is highly advisable to support joint protection.

Glucosamine helps support proteoglycans (the protein power-players in cartilage), keeping your dog's joints cushioned and ready for walkies, zoomies, and everything in between.

How Glucosamine in joint supplements works

Glucosamine is a key building block found naturally in healthy joints, and it's widely used in joint supplements for dogs to help maintain normal joint health and mobility. When included in a dog joint supplement, it supports your dog's comfort and ongoing joint care by:

Helping to maintain normal synovial fluid levels, which play an important role in keeping joints moving smoothly.
Supporting the normal formation of proteoglycans, key components found naturally in healthy cartilage.
Helping to support the synovial membrane’s natural function, which contributes to joint lubrication.
Supporting the natural cushioning structures within joints, helping to keep cartilage healthy and resilient.

For dogs and cats experiencing joint wear and tear, high quality glucosamine supplements provide essential, natural support for maintaining comfort and mobility.

Why do we use Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL) not Glucosamine Sulphate

Glucosamine Sulphate. Added as a key ingredient to human cartilage and joint health supplements.
Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL). Ideal for dogs and cats, used in our leading MoveWellia® and JointWell® joint supplements.

We use HCL (hydrochloride) forms because they dissolve quickly and are highly bioavailable, typically becoming available for absorption within 15 to 30 minutes.

Dogs and cats have shorter digestive tracts than humans, with food passing through in 8–10 hours compared to 24–72 hours in humans, making efficient nutrient absorption particularly important for their health.

Natural sources of Glucosamine for dogs

We use Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL), which is sourced in a sustainable manner and obtained from the natural shells of crustaceans, usually a mixture of shrimp, oyster and crab shells, making use of something that would otherwise be discarded.

What is Chondroitin Sulphate?

Chondroitin is a building block for cartilage which supports elasticity and acts as a cushion between bones. Since the quality and composition of Chondroitin supplements can vary dramatically, using a high-quality, pet-specific product is essential.

At Dorwest we only use marine sourced Chondroitin, sourced from squid cartilage and again a by-product of the food industry, which would otherwise be discarded.

Why combine Glucosamine and Chondroitin in supplements?

As explained, both these compounds are important in providing the building blocks for the body to manufacture collagen and the proteoglycans in the joint cartilage, and the synovial membrane which produces the fluid that lubricates the joints.

When combined in a supplement for dogs' joints, they have a synergistic effect, meaning that they have more effect when given together than when each is given separately. For a more detailed look into Chondroitin visit our comprehensive guide.

Is Glucosamine good for dogs?

100% yes! Glucosamine is a key part of joint and cartilage health. Your dog naturally produces it, which helps to cushion and maintain their joints for improved mobility.

For older dogs, their natural production of Glucosamine can slow, which results in stiffness, mild to severe discomfort, and potentially medical conditions like arthritis.

Therefore, joint supplements rich in Glucosamine can help protect and support canine joints, particularly when following a consistent and daily routine of adding Glucosamine joint supplements to your dog's daily diet.

Benefits of Glucosamine for dogs

Here are the top benefits of Glucosamine keeping your dog happy, active and mobile.

Helps support joint pain. If your dog struggles to jump onto the sofa or seems stiff after a nap, Glucosamine can help. It can help cartilage repair, which reduces pain and makes moving more comfortable.
Supports mobility. Whether your dog is a senior or an athlete, Glucosamine helps keep them active by improving joint flexibility and shock absorption. With regular use, you might notice your dog running, jumping, and playing more freely.
Supports comfort and mobility. Joint stiffness can sometimes make movement feel uncomfortable for dogs. Glucosamine is widely used by dog owners to help maintain normal joint function and keep dogs moving comfortably, although its effects can vary between individuals.

Best Glucosamine joint supplements for dogs

Joint wear and tear begins long before your dog shows symptoms. Protecting their mobility is key to long-term comfort! Supplements offer a multi-faceted approach, providing essential nutrients that work synergistically.

That's why we formulated the best joint supplement MoveWellia® for dogs with active joint challenges. It contains a unique blend, featuring Glucosamine Hydrochloride and the highest concentration of the joint health super-star, Boswellia, for powerful, natural support of your dog's movement.

Does my dog need glucosamine?

It’s never too early to start supporting your dog’s joints. For active or aging dogs, introducing a Glucosamine supplement early can help prevent joint problems before they start to affect your dog's mobility. Protecting joints now is the best way to keep them moving long into the future and that's exactly what our joint supplements are designed to do. If you want to read a short summary about the benefits of Glucosamine, read our detailed blog.

Here are some common reasons why pet owners choose to start their dogs on Glucosamine:

Middle-aged or senior dogs. As dogs age, their joints naturally face wear and tear. If your dog is showing signs of stiffness or discomfort, a high quality supplement with Glucosamine can help support these issues and maintain mobility.
Breeds pre-disposed to joint problems. Larger breeds or certain breeds prone to joint issues can benefit greatly from early joint support.
Dogs with joint injuries or recovering from surgery. With joint injuries or surgery recovery in mind, Glucosamine can support their healing and help to improve mobility.
Overweight dogs. When your pup is carrying extra weight it adds extra strain to their joints. Glucosamine helps support by cushioning their joints which minimises any discomfort they might be feeling.
Highly active dogs. Super active pups, from working to agility dogs, often put extra stress on their joints. Glucosamine again helps support cartilage repair and keep them agile and comfortable.

Does Glucosamine help dogs with arthritis?

Arthritis can slow down even the happiest dog, showing up as stiffness when they get up, reluctance to walk or developing a limp. While we can’t wave a magic wand for a cure, supplements for dogs with high quality Glucosamine can make a difference in supporting mobility. Typically for dogs suffering with arthritis we'd recommend our high-strength, award-winning supplement, MoveWellia®. Its advanced blend is specially formulated to offer powerful, natural joint support, combining Glucosamine with Boswellia, containing 90% boswellic acids, which support natural anti-inflammatory pathways in the body, making it great for dogs that are prone to inflammatory joint conditions.

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring ingredient is a vital building block for healthy cartilage and connective tissues. When a dog has arthritis, the cushioning cartilage in their joints wears down. This causes inflammation, pain, and sometimes swelling, making movement uncomfortable.

By giving your dog the right joint supplement, you help them:

Support cartilage repair: Providing the raw materials needed to keep those joints cushioned.
Supports joint lubrication: Glucosamine may support the production of hyaluronic acid, which is primarily responsible for the lubricating and shock-absorbing properties of synovial fluid. This can help reduce joint stiffness and support comfort.

Glucosamine is a key ingredient in keeping your dog active, mobile, and comfortable as they age – all working towards a healthier, happier life!

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that causes the hip ball and socket to develop improperly, leading to pain and stiffness for your dog. Your local vet should advise on any surgical requirements and a multimodal approach, which includes support medications, supplements and lifestyle changes that are right for you and your dog.

Glucosamine within joint supplements can act as a supportive measure. This ingredient encourages the synovial membrane to produce more lubricating fluid, providing essential long-term nutritional support to help slow cartilage breakdown and improve your dog's joint comfort.

How much glucosamine should I give my dog?

The amount of Glucosamine (or any joint-supporting ingredient) a dog may need can vary depending on their age, size and individual circumstances. That’s why we don’t use broad or generic “mg per weight” charts you often see online.

Instead, all Dorwest supplements are carefully formulated with specific amounts of active ingredients per tablet, and our administration guidelines are created to match each product’s unique blend. This keeps things clear, safe, and easy to follow, while giving your dog the natural support they need.

MoveWellia® – Advanced Joint Care

Our award-winning, high-strength joint supplement is expertly formulated for dogs needing advanced, targeted support.

Ingredients (per tablet):

Glucosamine Hydrochloride – 250mg
Chondroitin Sulphate – 150mg
Boswellia serrata – 50mg
Celery Seed – 10mg
Vitamin C – 15mg
Zinc – 10mg
Hyaluronic Acid – 2mg

Administration:

Small dogs & cats (<10kg): 1 tablet daily
Medium dogs (10–25kg): 2 tablets daily
Large dogs (25–45kg): 3 tablets daily
Giant dogs (45kg+): 4 tablets daily

Tip: For extra support, the daily amount can be doubled for the first month.

JointWell® – Everyday Joint Support

Gentle, everyday joint care for comfort, flexibility, and long-term wellbeing.

Ingredients (per tablet):

Glucosamine Hydrochloride - 250mg
Chondroitin Sulphate - 100mg
Vitamin C - 10mg
Zinc - 5mg
Hyaluronic Acid - 1mg

Administration:

Small dogs & cats (<10kg): 1 tablet daily
Medium dogs (10–25kg): 2 tablets daily
Large dogs (25–45kg): 3 tablets daily
Giant dogs (45kg+): 4 tablets daily

Tip: As with MoveWellia®, the daily amount can be doubled for the first month.

We advise incorporating our award-winning and expertly formulated quality Glucosamine supplements into your dog’s food as a daily ritual, helping with their long-term joint health and movement. By taking a proactive approach you support flexibility and mobility, especially for those prone to stiff joints or discomfort.

What to watch out for: Glucosamine for dogs side effects

Glucosamine is generally safe, and side effects are typically rare. They are most likely to occur with high doses or in sensitive dogs. If you do spot any concerning symptoms or are at all worried about your dog, contact your local vet.

Potential common side effects:

Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Soft stools or gas
Constipation
Increased thirst
Increased urination

Less common side effects:

Certain supplements may cause an allergic reaction in your dog. Because Glucosamine is often derived from shellfish, some dogs might experience itchy skin or hives, or even more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing. We strongly recommend contacting a vet if you are at all worried.

When should dogs not take Glucosamine? (Safety & Precautions)

Let’s quickly highlight the main situations where caution is definitely advised before giving your dog Glucosamine. Always consult your local vet beforehand.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar and you should check with your vet before giving this to animals suffering from diabetes.
Chondroitin Sulphate should not be given in addition to any prescribed blood-thinning medication. It has a similar structure to the blood-thinning drug heparin, and the combination has the potential therefore to cause bleeding, so always consult your vet for advice.
Allergies to shellfish are uncommon but not unknown for dogs and cats. However, since Glucosamine is derived from the shells of crustaceans and allergic reactions are normally to the actual flesh of the animals, it is probably safe even for those with a shellfish allergy.

There is also a lower likelihood of allergic reactions to Glucosamine Hydrochloride than to the Sulphate type, which is good to know.

The benefit of combining Glucosamine for dogs and other ingredients

Not all supplements are created equally. For top quality joint support we recommend looking for supplements which contain Glucosamine as well as other joint-supportive ingredients, such as our JointWell® & MoveWellia® Tablets.

Here are the best of these:

Boswellia. Primary active compounds are boswellic acids, which help maintain the natural anti-inflammatory pathways in the body, great for supporting pain and discomfort.
Vitamin C. Helps maintain the health of collagen – a key component of your pup’s joint support structures.
Zinc. Essential for the maintenance of cartilage health, especially when it’s at risk of being damaged.
Hyaluronic acid. A natural and important component of joint fluid which lubricates the joint, promoting increased mobility.
Chondroitin. Partners with Glucosamine to help improve cartilage elasticity and shock absorption.

Common questions

Can you give your dog too much Glucosamine? As with any supplement, giving more than the recommended amount isn’t advised. Glucosamine has a wide safety margin, and it would generally take a very large excess to cause problems, but it’s still important to follow the dosage guidelines on your dog’s supplement. If you think your dog has had too much, or you notice anything that concerns you, contact your vet straight away for advice.
Can you give Glucosamine to puppies? Glucosamine is generally not necessary for most young puppies but may be recommended by a vet for large or giant breeds prone to hip/joint issues, or puppies with a diagnosed condition like mild dysplasia. If you’re not sure, you can always consult with your vet to double check before you give them anything.
Can dogs take human glucosamine? No! We do not recommend giving any human glucosamine supplements to your pooch. Your dog's digestive system is much shorter than ours and absorption works pretty differently. Human supplements will often contain ingredients that are poisonous for your pup (xylitol or other harmful additives). Also, the dosage for human supplements is specially designed and tested for people, not dogs, meaning the concentrations could be too strong for your dog.

If you'd like any more advice on our joint support products, please get in touch on 01308 897272 or email us at advice@dorwest.com.