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When a cat starts moving stiffly or minimizing jumps, it might be time to talk to your vet about cat joint pain. Arthritis and joint pain are especially common in older kitties, and while it can be tough to watch your once-spry friend slowing down, this new phase of life doesn’t have to be a painful one. Cat joint supplements can help.
The market is full of options, and you can buy cat joint supplements in liquid, chew, capsule, or powder form. We’ve rounded up some of the most popular and widely recommended U.S.-made supplements for cat joint pain and stiffness. We also talked with veterinarian Alex Schechter, DVM, about how different cat joint supplements work, and Dog People Panelist Dr. Gary Richter about how to know which ones are best for your kitty.
As always, we recommend talking with your vet before starting your cat on any new supplement to make sure it’s a good fit for your particular kitty’s needs.
- Best Cosequin Supplement for Cats: Nutramax Cosequin Capsules
- Best Liquid Supplement: Vetoquinol Triglyceride Omega Fatty Acid Supplement
- Best Soft Chew Cat Joint Supplement: NaturVet Glucosamine DS Plus MSM and Chondroitin
- Best Omega-3 Supplement: Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Cat Joint Supplement
- Best Capsule Supplement: VetriScience Omega Softgel Capsules
- Best Powder Joint Supplement for Cats: Super Snouts Joint Power
- Best Graduated Joint Supplement: VetriScience Glycoflex Joint Support Cat Chews
Best Cosequin Supplement for Cats: Nutramax Cosequin Capsules Joint Health Supplement for Cats
Cosequin is one of the only cat joint health supplements that published, controlled U.S. studies have shown to be effective, safe, and bioavailable (having an active effect) for cats and dogs. It helps support cartilage production and protect existing cartilage from breakdown, and it supports urinary and bladder health. You can give your cat a capsule, or sprinkle the capsule contents onto their food.
Cosequin is often compared with its cousin Dasuquin, a similar formula that incorporates avocado or soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), which has shown some efficacy in humans in reducing inflamation.
Notable features:
- Number-one Veterinarian recommended joint health supplement for cats
- Capsules are easy to separate for sprinkling on meals
- Small doses help to determine how much is the right amount for your cat
Best Liquid Supplement: Vetoquinol Triglyceride Omega Fatty Acid Supplement
Add omega-3 fatty acids to your cat’s food with this liquid-format cat joint supplement that has fish oil as its main ingredient. The pump bottle makes for an extra-convenient supplement dispenser, and cat parents report it’s an easier sell with many fussy felines than soft chew alternatives. Omega-3 are often recommended by vets to help cats manage a range of conditions, including inflammation and skin allergies.
Note: Made in Canada.
Notable features:
- Omega-3 also reportedly helps cats with skin allergies, rashes, or dandruff
- The Omega-3 oils in this product meet USP standards for quality
- Pump makes it easy to dispense over food
Best Soft Chew Cat Joint Supplement: NaturVet Glucosamine DS Plus MSM and Chondroitin Pet Soft Chews
This soft-chew supplement includes glucosamine, chondroitin, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), vitamins, and omega-3s for a powerful anti-inflammatory mix meant to help with pain and slow joint deterioration. You’ll want to give your cat the chew with or after a meal to reduce the chance of stomach upset.
Notable features:
- Product weight chart helps to determine dosage for your cat
- Chews are soft enough that they can be crumbled into food
- Time release formula
Best Omega-3 Supplement: Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Cat Joint Supplement
Nordic Naturals offers an omega-3 cat joint supplement made from sustainable anchovies and sardines. The dropper allows you to measure the dosage based on your pet’s body weight. It stays fresh for three months after opening and contains fish oil and d-alpha tocopherol.
Notable features:
- Third-party tested for quality
- Very specific weight chart helps ensure correct dosage
- No artificial colors or flavors
Best Capsule Supplement: VetriScience Omega Dog and Cat Softgel Capsules
This comprehensive fatty acid formula for cats and dogs is rich in ALA, GLA, EPA, and DHA, from borage seed, flaxseed, and fish. It combines the health benefits of all the important omega fatty acids: 3, 6, and 9. The recommended dose for cats is a capsule every other day—the capsules can be opened and the contents mixed with food.
Notable features:
- Good for homes with both cats and dogs
- Shelf-stable; does not require refrigeration
- Reduces dandruff and itchy skin
Best Powder Joint Supplement for Cats: Super Snouts Joint Power 100% Green Lipped Mussels for Dogs and Cats
This powder is made of Green Lipped mussels, which are rich in protein, minerals, Omega-3 fatty acids, and mucopolysaccharides (complex carbohydrates that provide support for connective tissue and body joint lubrication). This product is cold processed and lipid stabilized for a longer shelf life. Because this powder is dosed by weight, you may want to invest in a small measuring spoon that matches the dosage for your cat.
Notable features:
- 100% freeze-dried Green Lipped mussels with no additives, preservatives, or GMOs
- Fishy flavor appreciated by cats
- Powder is very fine and easily added to both wet and dry food
Best Graduated Joint Supplement: VetriScience Glycoflex Joint Support Cat Chews
Glycoflex bite-size chews are joint supplements formulated specifically for cats and are based on the stage of the cat’s joint issues. This Stage II product contains glucosamine, Perna canaliculus (from the green-lipped mussel), and other joint-support ingredients. Depending on the severity of a cat’s joint inflammation, pet parents can step up the level of support to Stage III or reduce the strength to Stage I.
Some pet parents note these chews can get hard quickly, which makes them better for crumbling over the top of wet food than feeding intact as a treat.
Notable features:
- Available in different strengths based on the severity of a kitty’s joint issues
- Flavored with real chicken liver
- Specifically formulated for cats
How Do Cat Joint Supplements Work, and Which Is Best for Your Cat?
Dr. Alex Schechter of Burwood Veterinary Hospital in Detroit explains, “The best joint supplements for cats contain glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and chondroitin. Most joint supplements contain these components, which have been proven effective for most cats. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are present in most joint supplements, have been shown in several trials to help lower inflammation and improve comfort in arthritic cats.”
While Dr. Schechter confirms that supplements can help relieve pain and inflammation in the joints by reducing swelling and inflammation naturally, he also points out that not all cats will react to these components, and some seem to have a very moderate reaction.
The latter is one reason that it’s important to work in tandem with your vet. “It can be challenging to determine how much to give your cat because cats have different reactions to drugs, so you have to try different doses until you find one that works for your pet,” Dr. Schechter notes. Then, too, there’s the fact that some herbal supplements can interact with your cat’s existing medications.
Dr. Gary Richter, an award-winning vet and member of Rover’s Dog People Panel, offers these helpful guidelines on choosing cat joint supplements:
- Look for brands that have commissioned clinical studies of their products.
- Read labels carefully to ensure quality and safety.
- Look for a lot number on the product. This is a sign that the company uses quality control checks.
- Choose brands with confirmed expertise.
- Be wary of claims that sound too good to be true. Vitamin supplements are just that—supplements. They are not cure-alls or medications.
- Do not give human supplements to your cat, as they may contain ingredients that are harmful to cats.
It’s a good idea to ensure that whatever supplement you choose has very clear dosage guidelines. These generally are by weight of your pet and should be followed to an exacting standard. “If you give too much of the supplement, it could cause side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea,” warns Dr. Schechter. Even using the suggested dosage might cause discomfort for your cat—so seek advice from your veterinarian to determine the ideal dose for your kitty’s constitution.
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. and interviews with veterinary experts. We prioritized cat joint supplements with quality ingredients, clear dosage guidelines, and that taste good. We’re also guided by the experience of living and paying alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
