The canine joint supplement market is a minefield, but you might have seen new joint-health superstar herb Boswellia burst onto the scene this year in a big way.
This ‘wonder ingredient’ comes with a solid history and growing evidence base of some seriously impressive joint benefits – but what is Boswellia? How does it work? And why is Boswellia so good for dogs?
What is Boswellia?
Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense (as well as: Salai, Sali Guggul, Gajabhakshya, Boswellia Serrata), is the resin herbal extract from the Boswellia serrata tree, which is native to a variety of countries including India, North Africa and parts of the middle east. To collect the resin from the Boswellia tree, farmers simply tap the tree and the branches fall off!
In India, Boswellia has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine - one of the world's oldest and longest lasting medical systems - thanks to its joint-supportive properties. Used for centuries to support inflammatory conditions, Boswellia has attracted more mainstream interest over the past few decades after studies in people suffering with osteoarthritis demonstrating less pain, improved range of motion and increased exercise tolerance.1 Studies in dogs have shown similar results.2
This is exactly why Boswellia is a joint health super-star herbal extract! 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.
How does Boswellia work?
The primary active compounds in Boswellia are boswellic acids, which work to support natural anti-inflammatory pathways in the body. They are thought to exert this effect by interacting with the chemicals that mediate inflammation within the body.
The two most prominent boswellic acids are 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) and acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA). These two compounds are the ones that The European Pharmacopoeia (the reference document for the quality control of medicines) used as markers to ensure the quality of Boswellia serrata gum resin.3,4
By supportin the natural processes and anti-inflammatory pathways, Boswellia can help promote joint comfort and mobility - making it a great choice for dogs that are experiencing joint health challenges.
What joint supplements for dogs are the best?
There are many joint supplements for dogs available on the market. These range in ingredients, so your choice of supplement is completely dependent on what ingredients you are looking for to support joint problems, and what amount of active ingredients you would like.
If you are looking for Boswellia for dogs, MoveWellia® Tablets include Boswellia, which contain 90% Boswellic acids, for optimal effect. Sustainably and ethically sourced, MoveWellia® has been specifically developed for dogs with advanced joint care to support dogs experiencing joint health challenges, including stiffness and ‘slowing-up’.
Why we use Boswellia in MoveWellia®
A joint health super-star herbal extract! 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 - A Dorwest favourite 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.
- 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, strengthening joint function.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions about MoveWellia®
Q. Is MoveWellia® safe to use with other supplements?
A. MoveWellia® is safe to use with most other supplements and medications, but we would always recommend checking with your vet first.
Q. Can MoveWellia® Tablets be crushed?
A. MoveWellia® Tablets can easily be crushed into food. We recommend splitting the daily dose in the morning and evening so that there is an even coverage throughout the day.
Check out our pill crusher that reduces tablets to a powder easily and quickly and so is ideal when you need to give medication or supplements to animals that find taking pills difficult.
Q. Do MoveWellia® Tablets have a strong taste?
A. MoveWellia contains seven all-natural ingredients but are mild in flavour. Tablets can be easily crushed and mixed with food, making them ideal for the fussiest of dogs! Also, we don't include any artificial flavourings.
Q. Is MoveWellia® good for arthritis?
A. Although not a medicine, MoveWellia® Tablets are ideal for naturally supporting stiff joints and the natural anti-inflammatory pathways in the body, to help maintain comfort and mobility in those experiencing joint health challenges. The active ingredients are well known for supporting the joints in a variety of ways, providing well-rounded joint support.
We only use the highest quality ingredients, which are always from sustainable sources and ethically harvested, with all products produced to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards.
Q. Are there side effects from taking MoveWellia®?
A. From the Dorwest 2022 trial, there are no known side effects of MoveWellia® Tablets, and studies into the active ingredients show a good safety profile. However, every dog is different and responds differently to supplements so some may be more sensitive to specific ingredients than others.
If you are concerned regarding your pets health, please contact your veterinary professional, or if you have any questions, please contact our customer services team on 01308 897272, or email info@dorwest.com.
Q. Does Boswellia work better on its own or when combined with other ingredients?
A. While Boswellia is a superstar ingredient for supporting stiff joints and mobility, it is most effective when supported by a wider team of joint supportive active ingredients.
Think of your dog's joints like a house. Boswellia helps make the home comfortable to live in (by supporting inflammation), but you still need the strong "bricks and mortar" like Glucosamine and Chondroitin to maintain the structural integrity of the walls.
This is why we developed MoveWellia®. It offers advanced support for dogs with existing joint challenges by combining the power of Boswellia with the essential building blocks needed for long-term cartilage care.
MoveWellia® Tablets contain seven all-natural, sustainably sourced ingredients, perfectly balanced to support joint health:
- Boswellia: The joint health superstar! Its primary active compounds are boswellic acids, which support natural anti-inflammatory pathways. We use Boswellia containing 90% boswellic acids for optimal effect.
- Glucosamine Hydrochloride: Produced naturally in the body, this amino sugar helps cushions the joints. As production slows down with age, supplementation helps maintain comfort and mobility.
- Chondroitin: The essential "building block" of cartilage. It supports elasticity and helps as a shock absorber, keeping the joint hydrated and supple.
- Celery Seed: A Dorwest favourite! This power herb contains polysaccharides and antioxidants (to neutralise free radicals) to support healthy blood circulation and connective tissue.
- Vitamin C: Essential for the health of collagen (the structural scaffolding of the joint) and recognised for its role in natural anti-inflammatory pathways.
- Hyaluronic Acid: A naturally occurring gel-like substance that makes up joint fluid. It helps to lubricate the joint for comfortable mobility.
- Zinc: A key mineral that supports joint comfort, as deficiency is often found in inflammatory joint conditions.
Q. Can MoveWellia® be used long term?
A. Yes, MoveWellia® is specifically designed for long-term use and performs best when given continuously. Natural joint supplements work cumulatively - as the body needs time to absorb and build up the active ingredients to optimal levels.
While some owners notice a positive change quite quickly, we always recommend allowing up to 4 weeks to see the full benefits. Sticking with it long-term ensures these levels remain consistent, helping to keep your dog's joints healthy and comfortable year-round.
Q. At what age should you start dogs on MoveWellia®?
A. MoveWellia® can be started at any age, from 8 weeks, to support joint health problems.
Specifically developed for advanced joint care to support dogs experiencing joint health challenges, this is ideal for joints that are showing age-related wear-and-tear or other joint issues. However, it is also beneficial for working and/or younger dogs that take part in canine sports, where joints may experience more strain and so require higher levels of support.
For preventative support, we would recommend JointWell® which is formulated with an easy to absorb form of high-grade glucosamine hydrochloride & chondroitin. This provides the building blocks to for collagen and proteoglycans in the joint cartilage and the synovial membrane which produces the fluid lubricating the joints.
Q. Can puppies have MoveWellia®?
A. MoveWellia® can be started at any age from 8 weeks - however for preventative support (most commonly needed for young pups), we would recommend JointWell® as this is our everyday joint supplement.
Q. Is MoveWellia® for all stages of life or just for senior dogs?
A. MoveWellia® can be started at any age from 8 weeks to support with joint health problems.
Senior dogs usually have more established joint health challenges and MoveWellia® has been specifically developed for advanced joint care to support dogs experiencing joint health challenges, including stiffness and ‘slowing-up’. The active ingredients are ideal for joints showing signs of age-related wear-and-tear, as well as other joint issues which are more common in our older dogs.
MoveWellia® is also popular for active show and agility dogs requiring higher levels of support due to increased strain and demand on the joints.
Q. Can MoveWellia® be used with other supplementation or medication including green lipped mussel capsules?
A. MoveWellia® is safe to use with most supplements and medications, but we would always recommend checking with your vet.
If you are planning to use MoveWellia® with other supplements, check the ingredients list for ingredient crossover, as some of these active ingredients may be wasted if the body doesn't need them.
If you are unsure or have any questions, please contact our customer services team on 01308 897272 or email info@dorwest.com.
Q. Are MoveWellia® Tablets suitable for all breeds?
A. MoveWellia® Tablets are safe to use for all dog breeds. A variety of breeds were tested in the Dorwest trial, with no known side effects.
If you'd like any advice from our product experts about finding the right joint supplement for you, please get in touch on 01308 897272 or email us at advice@dorwest.com.
Research sources
1 & 2 - Dietary support with Boswellia resin in canine inflammatory joint and spinal disease (Reichling et al., 2004) — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14994484/
3 - Pharmacological Activities of Boswellia serrata Roxb. - Mini Review (Upaganlawar & Ghule, 2009) — https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/ebl/vol2009/iss6/10/
4 - Boswellia serrata. An Overall Assessment of In Vitro, Preclinical, Pharmacokinetic and Clinical Data (Abdel-Tawab et al., 2011) — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21553931/
