Cortaflex not working? What to do next

It is frustrating when you have been giving your dog a joint supplement for weeks and cannot see any difference. Many owners search for a product by name and then wonder whether it is working at all. If that is you, you are not alone, and it does not mean you have done anything wrong.

A supplement can seem to do very little for several ordinary reasons, and most of them are easy to check. We will walk through them, show you how to run a fair trial at home, and cover the signs that mean it is time to speak to your vet.

We make a joint supplement ourselves, so we will mention it briefly near the end. The aim here is to help you work out what is going on with your own dog, whichever product you use.

Once dose and timing are checked, look at the formula

If your dog's Cortaflex does not seem to be making a difference, the usual suspects come first: trial length, weight-matched dose and missed days. Once those are ruled out, the next thing worth checking is what is actually in the formula.

The table below compares the key joint actives across popular UK options. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is our own product, so we have shown exactly what each one lists.

The first row is the useful one. MedPaw is the only product in the table with all six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. The nearest rival lists four of six, and others list two or three. If a supplement has felt underwhelming, a broader formula is a sensible next step.

MedPaw is a soft chew, so it is easy to give daily, even to fussy dogs. The label asks for double the usual amount for the first three weeks, then 2-3 months of daily use for best results. That is a fair trial, and it supports joints and comfort alongside your vet's advice.

If you would like to test it with confidence, the 60-day money-back guarantee covers the whole trial period. Subscribe & Save is available if you would rather not run out part-way through.

See MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max Take a look at the full MedPaw formula and feeding guide to see how it could fit your dog's daily routine.

What a joint supplement is, and what it is not

A joint supplement is a complementary feed. It is given every day alongside a balanced diet, to support joint comfort and mobility as part of a wider routine. It is not a medicine and it is not a painkiller.

That matters because it shapes what you should expect. A supplement will not act within hours the way prescribed pain relief might. It also does not replace any treatment your vet has recommended.

Joints change with age and use. Cartilage, the smooth, springy surface at the ends of the bones, and the joint fluid that cushions it both work hard over a dog's lifetime. This is why vets look at the whole picture, including weight, exercise, home set-up and any underlying condition, rather than relying on a single product.

Nine reasons a supplement can seem not to be working

These are practical explanations rather than findings about any one brand. Work through them in order, because the first few are the most common.

1. The trial was too short

Joint supplements are made for daily use over weeks and months. Many owners stop after a fortnight because nothing obvious has changed. Check the label on your own pack for the recommended trial length, and give it that long before you judge.

2. The dose does not match your dog's weight

Under-dosing is a very common reason for disappointment. Dogs gain and lose weight, and the amount you started with may no longer suit them. Weigh your dog, then match the weight band on the pack exactly.

3. Doses are missed or irregular

Daily consistency matters. Tying the supplement to a particular meal makes it much easier to remember. If several people feed the dog, a weekly pill organiser or a note on the fridge helps.

4. Your dog is not eating all of it

Some supplements come as powders or crumbles meant to be sprinkled or mixed into food. A fussy eater may pick around a topping and leave some in the bowl. Check that the bowl is truly empty, and mix well if you are using a powder.

5. Expectations are too high

A supplement sits alongside veterinary care. It does not take the place of pain relief or treatment a vet has prescribed, and it should not be judged as though it does. Support for comfort tends to be gradual and modest rather than dramatic.

6. The problem may not be in the joints

Limping, stiffness and slowing down can have other causes. These include soft tissue injuries, spinal or nerve problems, dental pain and general illness. A joint supplement is not designed to address any of these, so if the cause has never been confirmed, a vet examination matters more than a change of product.

7. The changes are hard to spot

Dogs are good at hiding discomfort, and progress is often slow. Many owners only realise their dog has become more comfortable when they look back at old videos and notice how differently the dog used to move.

8. It may be the wrong product for the species

Some brand names cover horse, human and dog products. Only give your dog a product made for dogs, with a dog feeding guide on the pack. If you are unsure about anything not intended for dogs, ask your vet first.

9. Other factors are working against progress

Extra weight, slippery floors, irregular exercise, and repeated jumping on and off sofas or out of the car can all affect how comfortable a dog is. A supplement cannot make up for all of that on its own.

How to run a fair trial

A fair trial is the best way to find out whether a supplement is doing anything for your dog. It does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent.

• Pick one product and follow the label dose for your dog's current weight.
• Give it daily for the full period the manufacturer recommends.
• Avoid changing several things at once, such as diet, supplement and exercise, or you will not know what made the difference.

Keep a simple diary

A short weekly note is enough. Score things like how easily your dog gets up, willingness to use stairs, how far they walk before slowing, stiffness after rest, and interest in play. Jot down the weather and how active the day was, because both affect how stiff a dog seems.

Film short clips

Every two weeks, film your dog getting out of their bed, walking on the lead and climbing a few steps. Watching the clips side by side is far more reliable than memory, especially when changes are gradual.

Everyday changes that support your dog's joints

Often the biggest gains come from the small things around the supplement. These are worth doing whether or not you use one.

• Weight: ask your vet for a body condition check. Extra weight puts more load on joints, and keeping a dog lean is one of the most useful things an owner can do.
• Exercise: little and often, on familiar routes, is usually kinder than occasional long or intense outings. Ask your vet what suits your dog.
• Floors: rugs or runners on slippery surfaces help your dog feel steadier.
• Bedding: a supportive orthopaedic bed makes getting up and lying down easier.
• Access: ramps or steps for the sofa and the car reduce repeated jumping.
• Nails: keep them trimmed so your dog can stand and walk comfortably.

Comparing joint supplements fairly

If you have given one product a proper trial and want to consider another, it helps to know what actually differs. Formats, ingredient combinations and guarantee lengths all vary. One product not suiting your dog does not mean every product will be the same, but equally, a swap is not guaranteed to make a difference.

Here is what to compare, using manufacturers' published information as of September 2026:

• Format: NutraPaw Joint Support, YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max and Synoquin EFA are tablets (Synoquin EFA is also available as a capsule). Seraquin Joint is a chewable tablet, and Nutraquin+ is a capsule.
• Ingredients: NutraPaw lists glucosamine, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, turmeric and collagen, but not chondroitin or Boswellia. YuMOVE lists glucosamine, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and fish oil, with chondroitin only via the mussel. Seraquin lists glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric. Synoquin EFA lists glucosamine, chondroitin and krill oil. Nutraquin+ lists glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia.
• Guarantee: NutraPaw states 90 days and YuMOVE states 6 weeks. Seraquin, Synoquin EFA and Nutraquin+ do not state one in the information we reviewed.

The guarantee is worth a look before you buy. Joint supplements are meant to be given for weeks or months, so a guarantee should ideally be long enough to cover a fair trial. A change of product should be a considered decision after a proper trial and a chat with your vet, not a reaction after a fortnight.

Where MedPaw fits in

MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew, offered as a complementary feed for dogs. Its joint actives are glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. It also contains omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, vitamins C and E, and zinc, and it is made with rapeseed oil and glycerine.

The feeding guide is 1 chew a day for dogs up to 4kg, 2 for 5-17kg, and 2-3 for 18kg and over, doubled for the first three weeks. We recommend 2-3 months of daily use before judging. There is a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available if you would like regular deliveries.

A chew that goes straight into your dog's hand or bowl suits some dogs better than a powder mixed into food, though every dog is different. Whatever you choose, the same advice applies. Weigh your dog, give the right amount, and keep it going long enough to see.

When to see your vet

A supplement is never a substitute for a diagnosis. If something does not seem right, a vet exam should come before another product. Please book an appointment if your dog:

• Has stiffness or limping that is new, getting worse, or has not improved despite weeks of consistent care.
• Cries out, yelps, snaps or flinches when touched or moved.
• Is reluctant to get up, climb stairs, jump or go on walks they used to enjoy.
• Has a swollen, hot or visibly misshapen joint.
• Shows hind-leg weakness, wobbling or dragging paws.
• Is off their food, unusually quiet, or losing weight.
• Licks or chews at one particular joint again and again.
• Is a young dog with persistent lameness or an unusual way of moving, which can point to a developmental problem.

What to tell your vet

Take along the name of the supplement, the daily amount, and how long your dog has been taking it. Mention any medication too, since your vet may want to adjust the plan. If you are thinking of starting a new supplement alongside prescribed medicines, ask your vet first.

A calmer way to look at it

If a supplement does not seem to be helping, the answer is rarely a sudden switch. It is usually a careful check of dose, consistency, trial length and the wider picture, with your vet involved whenever you are in doubt. Many dogs do best with a combination of steady daily support, a healthy weight, sensible exercise and a comfortable home.

Give your dog a fair run, keep a record, and trust what you see on the video clips over what you remember. That will tell you far more than a fortnight of hopeful watching.