Quick answer: the main drawbacks with Cortaflex for dogs are practical. Equine America keeps changing the dog range (the Canine & Feline capsules have now been discontinued), its money-back guarantee doesn't cover the Senior chews, there's no allergen list, and there are very few independent reviews of the dog products. Its 4.9 Trustpilot score covers the whole company, which mostly sells horse supplements. If any of that puts you off, we'd recommend trying MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews instead: a soft chew dogs take like a treat, all six key joint actives with the main amounts per chew on the label, a subscription you can pause or cancel any time, and a 60-day money-back guarantee with nothing to send back.
Transparency note: this page is written by MedPaw, which makes a competing joint supplement. Reviews are quoted word for word with links so you can check them. Ratings and quotes were checked on 8 October 2026.
The most common Cortaflex complaints and drawbacks
We read around 60 dog-related Equine America reviews on Trustpilot (2019 to 2026), plus its product, guarantee and FAQ pages. Most dog reviews are positive, and only a handful name a product still on sale. So the table below combines what critical reviewers said with the practical drawbacks of the current range. Frequencies are our estimates.
Cortaflex complaints and drawbacks (our sample and Equine America's own pages)
| Complaint | How often | What reviewers said |
|---|---|---|
| Products discontinued or out of stock | Half of the critical dog reviews we found | Products running out, the range changing, and now the dog and cat capsules discontinued |
| Price and pack changes | Half of the critical dog reviews we found | Prices going up and packs getting smaller after a range change |
| Awkward to give | A few reviews | Capsules fiddly to open and mix into food |
| Dosing confusion | A few reviews | Unclear scoop size and dosing by weight |
| Very few dog reviews | Built into the rating | Most of Equine America's reviews are about horse products; its dog product pages have no reviews |
| Narrow guarantee | Equine America's own terms | 30 days, first purchase only, and the Senior chews aren't on the list |
Source: Equine America reviews on Trustpilot. The critical dog reviews we found are mostly from 2020, so treat them as a small sample. We didn't find reports of side effects or dogs refusing it.
"Now nothing is available for dogs except these fancy new very expensive capsules"
Range changes are the clearest pattern in Cortaflex's critical dog reviews:
- "There is no explanation anywhere to be found or timeline as to when products are coming back in stock" (Trustpilot reviewer, 1 star, February 2020)
- "I was disappointed that the product now comes in capsules that have to be broken and mixed with the food." (Jane S., 4 stars, May 2020)
- "I would prefer a jar of powder and not capsules as I find them quite fiddley to open." (Karen T., 5 stars, May 2020)
Those capsules have since gone too. Equine America's product page now says it has "taken the decision to discontinue our Canine & Feline Capsules", and points owners to its Working Dog powder or Inflamex liquid. The dog joint range is now the Working Dog Jointcare powder (£38.50 for 90g) and Senior Jointcare Dog Chews (£29.99 for 180g).
What's missing from the label
- No MSM or green-lipped mussel: neither the powder nor the Senior chews list them.
- No allergen list: the chews' composition shows glucosamine from crustaceans, porcine chondroitin, collagen from poultry, salmon oil and brewer's yeast, but there's no allergen statement, and the powder's ingredient sources aren't published.
- Unclear measures: the powder is dosed in scoops (two for 1.5g), but the page doesn't state the scoop size, and the chew count per tub isn't stated.
- No subscription terms: Equine America's FAQs say it offers subscriptions with discounts on some products, but don't explain how to pause or cancel.
The guarantee catch
Equine America's 30-day money-back guarantee covers only the first purchase of the smallest size, once per household. The only dog products listed are the 90g Working Dog powder and Inflamex; the Senior chews aren't on the list. You email within 30 days, then post back any unused product at your own cost, and it must arrive by the 35th day after purchase. That's a short window for a joint supplement.
Why Cortaflex customers switch to MedPaw
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews differ from Cortaflex on exactly the points that cause owners problems.
Cortaflex vs MedPaw on the complaints and drawbacks
| The complaint | Cortaflex | MedPaw |
|---|---|---|
| Capsules discontinued | No dog capsules now; powder to mix into food, or chews | Soft chicken and bacon chew, given from your hand like a treat |
| Getting your money back | 30 days, first purchase of the powder or Inflamex only; post back unused product at your cost | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; email us and keep the tub |
| Knowing what's in it | Glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellia, hyaluronic acid and UC-II collagen; no MSM or green-lipped mussel | All six key joint actives, with the main amounts per chew on the label: MSM 185mg, glucosamine 170mg, chondroitin 70mg, green-lipped mussel 70mg, Boswellia 30mg, plus hyaluronic acid |
| Cancelling a subscription | Offered on some products; no cancellation terms published | Pause, change or cancel any time from your account, or just email us |
Our recommendation: if your dog was on the discontinued capsules, you'd rather not mix powder into food, or you want a guarantee that covers the product you're actually buying, switch to MedPaw. Swap rather than stack: stop Cortaflex and start MedPaw the next day. Give it six to eight weeks, and if you're not happy, email us within 60 days and we'll refund you. Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews.
Cortaflex's rating, in context
Equine America is rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 3,778 reviews, with 96% at 5 stars (checked 8 October 2026). But that score covers the whole company, most reviews are about horse products, and Equine America invites customers to review. The separate cortaflex.co.uk profile has no reviews, and the dog product pages have no review widget. Of the dog reviews we read, many refer to capsules, crumbles or older powders no longer sold. A high score for a horse supplement company doesn't tell you whether the current dog products will help your dog.
To be fair to Cortaflex, the dog reviews we found are mostly positive, the Senior chew has more glucosamine and Boswellia per chew than MedPaw, it adds UC-II collagen, and there's no loading phase.
If nothing has worked so far
If your dog is still stiff or sore after a fair trial of any supplement, see your vet. They may suggest pain relief, weight loss or an omega-3 fish oil at a proper dose, which has the strongest evidence for dogs with arthritis. Read what you can safely give a dog for joint pain and the best fish oil for dogs' joints.
Our verdict
Cortaflex's problems aren't bad reviews; they're practical. The dog range keeps changing, the capsules are gone, the guarantee doesn't cover the chews, there's no allergen list, and there are too few dog reviews to know how the current products compare. If that's where you are, MedPaw is the alternative we'd recommend. For more, read our guides to UC-II collagen and Boswellia, or compare the best joint chews for dogs.
More on Cortaflex: what replaced the discontinued Cortaflex capsules.
What are the most common complaints about Cortaflex for dogs?
The critical dog reviews we found are mostly about range changes: products running out, prices rising, and capsules that were fiddly to open. The capsules have now been discontinued. Other drawbacks are a guarantee that doesn't cover the Senior chews, no allergen list, and very few independent dog reviews.
Is Cortaflex any good for dogs?
The dog reviews we found are mostly positive, but there are few of them and many are about products no longer sold. Equine America's 4.9 Trustpilot rating covers the whole company, mostly horse products. If you'd rather have a soft chew with MSM and green-lipped mussel and a 60-day money-back guarantee, MedPaw is the alternative we'd recommend.
Have the Cortaflex dog capsules been discontinued?
Yes. Equine America's product page says it has discontinued the Canine & Feline Cortaflex capsules and suggests the Working Dog powder or Canine Inflamex Solution instead.
Does Cortaflex have a money-back guarantee?
Yes, for 30 days, on the first purchase of the 90g Working Dog powder or Inflamex, once per household. The Senior chews aren't listed. You post back any unused product at your own cost. MedPaw's guarantee lasts 60 days from delivery and you don't need to send anything back.
What's the best alternative to Cortaflex?
If your dog was on the discontinued capsules, won't eat powder in food, or you want MSM and green-lipped mussel, we'd recommend MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews: a soft chew given like a treat, all six key joint actives with the main amounts per chew on the label, and a 60-day money-back guarantee. Swap rather than stack, and give it six to eight weeks.
Can I switch from Cortaflex to MedPaw straight away?
Yes. Stop Cortaflex and start MedPaw the next day. There's no need for a gap, and you shouldn't give both. Neither suits a dog with a shellfish allergy. Check with your vet first if your dog takes any medication.
