Further reading

• Glucosamine and chondroitin for canine osteoarthritis (The Veterinary Journal, 2006)

  In a double-blind trial of dogs with hip or elbow osteoarthritis, glucosamine combined with chondroitin significantly improved pain, weight-bearing and overall condition by day 70, working more gradually than the anti-inflammatory drug carprofen but reaching comparable results by the end of the study.

• Glucosamine and chondroitin use in dogs: a review (Open Veterinary Journal, 2017)

  A review of the research on glucosamine and chondroitin for canine osteoarthritis, covering how they support cartilage and inhibit the enzymes that break it down, the results of clinical trials on pain and mobility, and their good safety profile for long-term use.

• Joint supplement trial in dogs with osteoarthritis (PLOS ONE, 2022)

  In a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, a supplement containing glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid significantly reduced chronic pain and lameness after 40 to 60 days, with owners and vets reporting dogs more willing to move, play and jump, and no adverse effects.

Further reading

• Glucosamine and chondroitin for canine osteoarthritis (The Veterinary Journal, 2006)

  Chondroitin sulphate combined with glucosamine significantly improved pain, weight-bearing and overall condition in dogs with hip or elbow osteoarthritis after 70 days, matching the results of the anti-inflammatory drug carprofen by the end of the trial and remaining well tolerated throughout.

• Glucosamine and chondroitin use in dogs: a review (Open Veterinary Journal, 2017)

  Explains how chondroitin sulphate helps protect cartilage by inhibiting the enzymes that degrade it and supporting the building blocks of healthy joint tissue, alongside a summary of clinical trial findings and its mild side effect profile.

• Joint supplement trial in dogs with osteoarthritis (PLOS ONE, 2022)

  A supplement combining chondroitin sulphate with glucosamine and hyaluronic acid eased chronic joint pain and lameness within 40 to 60 days in a placebo-controlled trial, with dogs showing better mood and more willingness to move, play and jump.

Further reading

• MSM and myo-inositol for coat quality and gut health in Poodles (Animals, 2024)

  Adding MSM and myo-inositol to the diet increased sulphur content in the hair, produced a smoother coat with thinner hair scales, and shifted the gut microbiome towards a healthier balance.

• Joint supplement containing MSM for hip osteoarthritis in dogs (The Pharma Innovation Journal, 2024)

  In dogs with hip osteoarthritis, a joint supplement containing MSM given alongside carprofen led to faster relief of pain and lameness, with improvements maintained after the anti-inflammatory drug was stopped.

• MSM: applications and safety of a dietary supplement (Nutrients, 2017)

  A review of the research on MSM, summarising its role in reducing inflammation, joint and muscle pain and oxidative stress, and its well-established safety profile.

Further reading

• Bioactive collagen peptides for dogs with osteoarthritis (PLOS ONE, 2024)

  In a placebo-controlled, double-blind study, dogs with osteoarthritis given collagen peptides for 12 weeks showed significant improvements in gait, measured on a force-plate treadmill, and in quality of life, outperforming a comparison group given omega-3 and vitamin E.

• Curcuminoids, collagen and green tea for dogs with osteoarthritis (BMC Veterinary Research, 2017)

  In a placebo-controlled trial, a diet including hydrolysed collagen, curcuminoids and green tea extract reduced pain on joint handling and made it easier for dogs with osteoarthritis to get up from lying down over three months.

Further reading

• Boswellia resin for inflammatory joint and spinal disease in dogs (Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde, 2004)

  In an open study of dogs with chronic joint and spinal conditions, 71% showed improvement after two weeks of boswellia, and by six weeks there were significant reductions in lameness, local pain and stiff gait.

• Nutritional supplement for dogs with osteoarthritis (Veterinary Medicine and Science, 2019)

  Over 90 days, a supplement containing boswellia significantly improved lameness, pain on handling, range of motion and joint swelling, while reducing markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, with no adverse effects.

• Supplement and physiotherapy for osteoarthritis in dogs (Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2021)

  Combining a boswellia-containing supplement with physiotherapy significantly lowered C-reactive protein, a key marker of inflammation, and supported antioxidant activity in dogs with osteoarthritis.

Further reading

• Synbiotic with chicory root inulin in healthy dogs (Animal Microbiome, 2021)

  In a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 51 healthy dogs, a supplement combining chicory root inulin with probiotics increased beneficial gut bacteria and reduced E. coli within four weeks.

• Inulin in raw meat-based diets for dogs (American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2012)

  Adding inulin to the diet increased beneficial short-chain fatty acids produced in the gut, while dogs maintained good stool quality and healthy blood values.

Further reading

• Effects of postbiotics on canine health: a systematic review (Microorganisms, 2025)

  A review of the research on postbiotics in dogs, with studies reporting more beneficial gut bacteria, fewer harmful ones, better-balanced immune responses and lower oxidative stress, though the authors note more large-scale trials are needed to confirm these effects.

• Prebiotic and postbiotic support for immunity in senior dogs (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2024)

  In healthy senior dogs, a prebiotic and postbiotic combination improved the balance of key immune cells and supported the immune response to vaccination, helping counter the natural decline of immunity with age.

• Lactobacillus helveticus: importance in food and health (Frontiers in Microbiology, 2014)

  A review of Lactobacillus helveticus, the bacterium behind many postbiotic ingredients, covering the beneficial compounds it produces and its potential to support gut health and overall wellness.

Further reading

• Vitamin C, antioxidant capacity and immunity in healthy dogs (Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 2009)

  Healthy dogs given oral vitamin C showed an increase in CD4+ T-cells, which help coordinate the immune response, along with changes in immune cell activity, suggesting a mild supportive effect on immunity.

• Vitamin C in health and disease: a companion animal focus (Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 2020)

  A review of vitamin C's roles in dogs and cats, including supporting tissue growth and repair, reducing oxidative stress and helping regulate the immune system.

Further reading

• Vitamin E and early osteoarthritis in dogs (Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 2013)

  Dogs given daily vitamin E for 55 days showed lower inflammatory markers in their joint fluid, less cartilage damage, and a trend towards reduced pain in the early stages of osteoarthritis.

• Vitamin E in canine atopic dermatitis (Veterinary Record, 2014)

  Eight weeks of vitamin E raised antioxidant levels in the blood and significantly reduced the severity of dermatitis, with improvements in redness, skin thickening, scratching damage and hair loss.

• Dietary antioxidants and free radical damage in dogs (Journal of Animal Science, 2024)

  An antioxidant blend including vitamin E, fed for 84 days, improved overall antioxidant status, helped protect immune cells from oxidation and reduced markers of DNA damage in adult dogs.

Further reading

• Nutrient blend with B vitamins for cognition in older dogs (British Journal of Nutrition, 2018)

  Long-term feeding of a nutrient blend including B vitamins, antioxidants and fish oil improved older dogs' performance on complex learning and memory tasks, suggesting it may help slow cognitive ageing.

• Supplement with vitamin B6 for short-term memory in aged dogs (Canadian Veterinary Journal, 2008)

  A supplement containing vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) alongside other brain-supporting nutrients significantly improved short-term memory accuracy in aged dogs, with effects that lasted beyond the supplementation period.

• Oral vitamin B12 supplementation in dogs (The Veterinary Journal, 2018)

  In dogs with chronic gut conditions and low vitamin B12, oral supplements raised B12 levels as effectively as injections, showing that B12 taken by mouth is well absorbed and effective.

Further reading

• Oral folic acid in pregnant bitches (Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 2013)

  Daily oral folic acid from the start of heat through early pregnancy raised blood folate levels in pregnant Pugs and Chihuahuas, whose levels otherwise fell, supporting healthy folate status during pregnancy.

• Folate and red blood cells in pregnant dogs (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2019)

  In a study of 48 pregnant dogs, falling folate levels were linked to a drop in red blood cell count in late pregnancy, highlighting folate's role in maintaining healthy blood.

Further reading

• Algal DHA and learning in older dogs (Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 2017)

  DHA from Schizochytrium algae raised DHA levels in the blood and helped older dogs learn new visual tasks more quickly, supporting healthy brain function as dogs age.

• Algal DHA, digestibility and immunity in dogs (Annals of Animal Science, 2019)

  Adding Schizochytrium algae to the diet improved palatability and digestibility, increased the activity of key immune cells, and proved more resistant to oxidation than anchovy oil, meaning the DHA stays fresher.

• Algal DHA for dogs with gingivitis (Revista Brasileira de Ciência Veterinária, 2020)

  Over 30 days, dogs fed Schizochytrium algae showed a reduction in the area of gum affected by gingivitis, suggesting a supportive role for DHA in oral health alongside regular veterinary care.

Further reading

• Hawthorn: an updated overview of its beneficial properties (Forests, 2020)

  A review of hawthorn's natural compounds, including antioxidant flavonoids, and the research into its effects on heart and circulatory health.

• Herbal remedies used in domestic animals (Natural Product Communications, 2009)

  A review of herbs used in pets, which classes hawthorn among the herbs with the highest safety rating and a wide margin of safety.

Further reading

• Biotin and skin and coat conditions in dogs (Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde, 1989)

  In a clinical study of 119 dogs with coat and skin problems such as dull coat, brittle hair and scaly skin, 91% improved after three to five weeks of biotin, with 60% seeing their symptoms fully resolve.

• Nutritional supplementation and canine skin disorders (Veterinary Sciences, 2020)

  A review of how nutrients support skin health in dogs, explaining biotin's role in maintaining healthy hair and skin and how low levels are linked to thin, dull hair and dry or flaky skin.

Further reading

• Red seaweed for gut health, antioxidants and immunity in dogs (Animal Nutrition, 2024)

  Adding red seaweed to the diet increased beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, reduced less desirable bacteria, improved antioxidant status and showed a trend towards stronger immune responses in adult dogs.

• Seaweed extract for stool quality and gut health in dogs (Animal Nutrition, 2025)

  A seaweed extract improved stool consistency and reduced loose stools, boosted beneficial gut bacteria, raised antioxidant activity and immune markers, and lowered indicators of gut inflammation in adult dogs.

• Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed and oral health in dogs (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2018)

  In a 90-day placebo-controlled trial, treats containing the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum significantly reduced plaque, tartar build-up and bad breath compounds, and lowered gum bleeding compared with placebo.

Further reading

• Curcuminoids, collagen and green tea for dogs with osteoarthritis (BMC Veterinary Research, 2017)

  In a placebo-controlled trial, dogs with osteoarthritis fed a diet with curcuminoids, hydrolysed collagen and green tea extract for three months showed less pain when their joints were handled, stable pain scores while the placebo group worsened, and an easier time getting up from lying down.

• Curcumin as a natural antioxidant in dog food (Archives of Animal Nutrition, 2020)

  Young dogs fed curcumin for 42 days showed higher antioxidant enzyme activity and total antioxidant capacity, fewer markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, and healthy blood cell counts.