It is frustrating when you are doing your best for your dog and cannot see any change. You bought a joint supplement and gave it faithfully, yet your dog still seems stiff when they get up from their bed. It is natural to wonder whether it is doing anything at all.
Some people searching "Bob Martin not working" mean a flea or tick treatment rather than a joint product. If that is you, there is a short note on that below. Most of this article is about joints, because "not working" usually has a few ordinary explanations, and most of them are things you can check at home.
A joint supplement is a complementary feed. It supports joints and mobility through nutrition, alongside veterinary care, a healthy weight, sensible exercise and a comfortable home. Whatever you are giving, the steps below should help you judge fairly whether it suits your dog.
Checking the formula when a joint supplement seems to do nothing
Once you have worked through timing, dose and daily habits, the last thing to look at is what is actually in the formula. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is our product, so we have set its six key joint actives against five other UK options below.
Bob Martin is not in this table, so keep your own pack to hand and tick off which of these actives it declares.
MedPaw is the only one of the six with all six key joint actives
| Ingredient | MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max | NutraPaw Joint Support | YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max | Seraquin Joint | Synoquin EFA | Nutraquin+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key joint actives | 6 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 (+1 via mussel) | 2 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Glucosamine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chondroitin | ✓ | ✗ | Via mussel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MSM | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Green-lipped mussel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Hyaluronic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Boswellia | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Omega-3 | Mussel, flax | Mussel | Mussel, fish oil | ✗ | Krill oil | ✗ |
| Turmeric | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Collagen | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Antioxidants | Vit C, Vit E, zinc | Manganese | Vit C, Vit E, manganese | ✗ | Vit C, zinc | Vit C, zinc |
| Format | Soft chew | Tablet | Tablet | Chewable tablet | Tablet or capsule | Capsule |
| Guarantee | 60 days | 90 days | 6 weeks | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
✓ = included, ✗ = not listed. Key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia. Taken from each manufacturer's published information, September 2026.
MedPaw is the only one of the six with all six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. The others list between two and four. If your routine has been right and you want a broader formula in one daily product, that is the gap worth noticing.
It is a soft chew, which makes the daily habit easier with a fussy eater. For a 20kg dog the label says 2 to 3 chews a day, doubled for the first three weeks, with 2 to 3 months of daily use recommended for optimal results. It supports joints, mobility and comfort alongside veterinary care, and comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
See MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max Subscribe & Save is available if you would like a steady daily routine without having to remember to reorder.
First, which kind of "not working" do you mean?
If you mean a flea treatment, the first rule is to follow the label exactly. Many spot-on flea treatments are applied at set intervals, and they should never be used more often than the pack says. Fleas also live in the home, so treating carpets, bedding and soft furnishings where necessary helps reduce reinfestation. If fleas keep coming back, speak to your vet or pharmacist. That is a parasite question rather than a joint one.
If you mean a joint product, the rest of this article is for you. One honest limit first. If you are using a Bob Martin joint product, we do not have its ingredient list, dose or guarantee in front of us, so we will not guess at what is in it. Your pack is the best source. The checks below apply to any joint supplement, whichever brand you chose.
Seven things to check before deciding a supplement has not worked
Work through these in order. Each one is something you can look at this week, without buying anything new.
1. Has it had enough time?
Joint supplements are meant for daily, long-term use. They are not a quick fix. Stopping after a couple of weeks is a common reason people conclude that something did not work.
Products set their own timeframes, so read the label of the one you use. For reference, MedPaw's guidance is 2 to 3 months of daily use, with a doubled amount for the first three weeks.
2. Is the dose matched to your dog's weight?
Many owners give a standard amount whatever the size of the dog. Weigh your dog, then compare the result with the feeding table on the pack. For larger breeds, the right amount can be higher than you would expect.
Please do not guess or give more than the label says without checking first. Extra is not a shortcut, and the pack instructions are there for a reason.
3. Is your dog actually getting it every day?
Missed days, or a chew or tablet left in the bowl, mean your dog is not getting the full amount. If your dog is fussy, hiding the supplement in food can help, though not every dog is fooled.
Format matters here too. Some dogs spit out a tablet or refuse a capsule but will happily eat a soft chew. A supplement your dog takes willingly every day is much easier to stick with than one that turns into a daily battle.
4. Does the formula suit your dog?
Joint products contain different combinations of ingredients, in different formats, with different feeding guides. One not suiting your dog does not mean every product will be the same. We cover how to compare labels further down.
5. Is there an underlying problem that needs more than a supplement?
Stiffness can be linked to arthritis, hip or elbow problems, a cruciate injury, back or neck pain, and other conditions. A supplement may support the joints, but it cannot tell you why your dog is stiff. Only a vet can do that, and they may suggest care that a supplement cannot replace.
6. Are lifestyle factors being missed?
Weight is the big one. Extra body weight puts extra load on every joint, and your vet or practice nurse can score your dog's body condition and suggest a feeding plan. Other things to look at:
- slippery flooring, where rugs or runners can help
- jumping on and off sofas, beds or out of the car
- very intense or irregular exercise, such as a long weekend walk after quiet weekdays
- a cold, damp or hard sleeping area
7. Are the expectations realistic?
A supplement supports joints and mobility. It should not be expected to bring an overnight change. Look for small, gradual signs instead: a smoother rise from the bed, more willingness on walks, or an easier time on the stairs.
Quick check: common reasons a supplement seems not to be working
| What to check | What to look at | A simple next step |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Have you given it daily for the period the label recommends? | Note your start date and carry on for the full timeframe |
| Dose | Does the amount match your dog's current weight on the feeding table? | Weigh your dog and re-read the pack |
| Consistency | Any missed days, or leftovers in the bowl? | Try a format your dog takes happily |
| Formula | Do the listed ingredients and format suit your dog? | Compare labels, and ask your vet or pharmacist |
| Underlying cause | Has a vet looked at the stiffness? | Book an appointment if not |
| Lifestyle | Weight, flooring, jumping, exercise pattern, bedding | Make one or two changes at home |
For guidance only, not a diagnosis.
An 8 to 12 week plan you can follow at home
Rather than relying on a feeling that "nothing has changed", give yourself something to measure. Slow progress is easy to miss when you see your dog every day.
- Check the label. Confirm the dose for your dog's current weight and that you are giving it every day.
- Weigh your dog and note the date. Repeat monthly so you can see the trend.
- Keep a mobility diary for 8 to 12 weeks. Note stiffness after rest, how your dog manages stairs and jumping into the car, and how long a walk they are happy with.
- Take a short video once a fortnight, perhaps of your dog getting up from the bed or walking across the same room. Comparing clips side by side shows things memory misses, and your vet will find them useful too.
- Adjust the home. Add non-slip mats, a supportive orthopaedic bed, and a ramp for the car or sofa. Keep nails trimmed so your dog can grip properly.
- Keep exercise steady. Short, regular lead walks are usually kinder to stiff joints than occasional long ones. Ask your vet what suits your dog.
- Tell your vet what you are giving. Mention the product name, the dose and how long you have used it. This matters most if your dog takes prescribed medicines or has other health conditions.
Changing too many things at once makes it hard to tell what helped. If you can, introduce home changes early on and then hold everything steady, so your diary shows a clear picture.
How joint supplements differ: reading labels fairly
If you have given one product properly and want to compare others, the label is the place to start. The details below come from each manufacturer's published information as of September 2026. They are here to help you read labels, not to rank products. Guarantee terms vary, so always read the current terms before buying.
Format
Products come as soft chews, chewable tablets, tablets and capsules. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew. NutraPaw Joint Support and YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max are tablets. Seraquin Joint is a chewable tablet, Synoquin EFA comes as a tablet or capsule, and Nutraquin+ is a capsule. If your dog dislikes swallowing tablets, format alone may explain why a product felt like a struggle.
Ingredients
The listed ingredients vary quite a lot from one product to the next:
- MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max lists glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. It also has omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, vitamins C and E, and zinc. It is made with rapeseed oil and glycerine.
- NutraPaw Joint Support lists glucosamine, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, turmeric and collagen, with omega-3 from the mussel and manganese. It does not list chondroitin or Boswellia.
- YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max lists glucosamine, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and fish oil, with chondroitin only via the mussel, plus vitamins C and E and manganese. It does not list MSM, Boswellia, turmeric or collagen.
- Seraquin Joint lists glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric. It does not list MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, Boswellia, omega-3 or collagen.
- Synoquin EFA lists glucosamine, chondroitin and krill oil, plus vitamin C and zinc. It does not list MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, Boswellia, turmeric or collagen.
- Nutraquin+ lists glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia, plus vitamin C and zinc. It does not list MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, omega-3, turmeric or collagen.
None of this tells you which product will suit your individual dog. It simply shows that "a joint supplement" is not one single thing. If you are weighing up options, your vet or pharmacist can help you compare labels, especially if your dog has other health needs.
Feeding guide and guarantee
For MedPaw, the feeding guide is 1 chew a day up to 4kg, 2 chews for 5 to 17kg, and 2 to 3 chews for dogs of 18kg and over. The amount is doubled for the first three weeks, and 2 to 3 months of daily use is recommended. MedPaw offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available.
For comparison, NutraPaw lists a 90-day guarantee and YuMOVE lists a 6-week guarantee. Seraquin, Synoquin EFA and Nutraquin+ do not state a guarantee in the information we have. If a guarantee shorter than the recommended feeding period matters to you, read the terms before you start.
If you think a product is faulty
Sometimes the problem is the product itself, such as an odd smell, a damaged pack or something that looks different from usual. In that case, stop using it and gather these details before you get in touch with the manufacturer or retailer:
- where and when you bought the product
- the batch number and expiry date
- the specific product name and pack size
Manufacturers vary in how quickly they reply, so check the pack or the company's own website for their contact details and opening hours. That route is for product queries, not emergencies. If your dog needs urgent help, go to your own vet or your nearest out-of-hours service.
When to see your vet
A supplement is never a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog is clearly uncomfortable, please do not wait for a supplement to make a difference. Book an appointment if:
- stiffness or limping lasts more than a few days, or keeps returning
- your dog struggles to get up, climb stairs, jump into the car or get comfortable
- their behaviour changes, such as reluctance to walk, snapping when touched, whimpering or restlessness at night
- a joint looks swollen or feels warm, or your dog licks or chews at it
- you notice muscle loss, particularly over the hindquarters
- your dog is on prescribed medication or has other health conditions, and you want to add or change a supplement
- there has been no improvement after a sustained, correctly dosed trial and a tidy-up of weight, exercise and home set-up
How quickly should you speak to a vet?
Mild stiffness, now and then
Check the dose, weight and home set-up, keep your diary going, and mention it at your next routine appointment.
Stiffness lasting days, or getting worse
Book a vet appointment. Take your diary, videos and the name of the supplement you are giving.
Sudden or severe signs
Contact your vet or out-of-hours service the same day if your dog cannot put weight on a leg, yelps in obvious pain, collapses, has hind legs that give way or drag, loses control of bladder or bowels, or seems severely distressed.
Keeping it in perspective
"Not working" often turns out to mean "needs more time, a different dose, or more than a supplement alone". That is not a failure on your part. Joints change slowly, and so does the way they respond to care.
If you have given a supplement properly, kept notes, tidied up the home and kept your dog's weight in check, you will have a much clearer picture of how things are going. Your vet can then build on that picture with you. A joint supplement is one supportive part of a wider routine for your dog, and it sits best alongside the rest of it.
How long does it take to tell whether a joint supplement is working?
Joint supplements are meant for daily, long-term use, so a couple of weeks is rarely long enough to judge. Check the timeframe on the label of the product you use. For MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max, the guidance is 2 to 3 months of daily use, with a doubled amount for the first three weeks.
How many MedPaw chews does a 20kg dog need each day?
For dogs of 18kg and over, the label says 2 to 3 chews a day, doubled for the first three weeks. At 20kg that means 4 to 6 chews a day for the first three weeks, then 2 to 3 a day after that. A tub holds 60 chews, so it would last roughly 10 to 15 days at the doubled amount and 20 to 30 days at the standard amount, depending on whether you give 2 or 3. Always follow the pack and ask your vet if you are unsure.
Why might Bob Martin joint supplement seem not to be working for my dog?
The usual reasons are not enough time, a dose that does not match your dog's current weight, missed days, or a format your dog does not take happily. It is also possible that stiffness has a cause that a supplement cannot address. We do not have Bob Martin's ingredient list or dose to hand, so check your pack and speak to your vet if you are unsure.
Does it matter if my dog takes a tablet, capsule or soft chew?
It can matter a great deal, because a supplement only helps support your dog's joints if they actually take it every day. Some dogs spit out tablets or refuse capsules but eat a soft chew readily. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew, whereas products such as YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max and NutraPaw Joint Support are tablets.
Should I switch supplement if my dog is still stiff?
Before switching, check the dose, the timeframe and whether your dog is getting it every day. If you have done all that and want to compare labels, look at the listed ingredients, format, feeding guide and guarantee terms. Whatever you choose, please speak to your vet about ongoing stiffness, because a supplement cannot tell you why your dog is stiff and does not replace veterinary care.
When should I see a vet rather than try another supplement?
Book an appointment if stiffness or limping lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, or your dog struggles to get up, climb stairs or get comfortable. Changes in behaviour, a swollen or warm joint, or muscle loss over the hindquarters are also reasons to call. If your dog cannot put weight on a leg, yelps in obvious pain or their hind legs give way, contact your vet or out-of-hours service the same day.
