Quick answer: each Cosequin DS chewable tablet contains 500mg glucosamine hydrochloride and 400mg chondroitin sulphate, plus a small amount of manganese, in a base of microcrystalline cellulose, "natural and artificial flavors" and silicon dioxide on Nutramax's label. That's two of the six key joint actives. There's no MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, Boswellia or omega-3, and the label doesn't name the flavourings or say where the glucosamine comes from. If you want a broader formula, we'd recommend MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews instead: all six key joint actives in a soft chew, with the main amounts per chew on the label.
Transparency note: this page is written by MedPaw, which makes a competing joint supplement. Cosequin's ingredients come from UK retailer listings and Nutramax's published label, because the UK Cosequin website blocked our access. Everything was checked on 8 October 2026.
Cosequin DS active ingredients
Cosequin DS chewable tablets for dogs: actives per tablet
| Active | Per tablet |
|---|---|
| Glucosamine hydrochloride | 500mg |
| Chondroitin sulphate | 400mg |
| Manganese | 3mg on Nutramax's label (as manganese ascorbate); UK listings show 5mg to 6.5mg |
| MSM | None listed |
| Green-lipped mussel | None listed |
| Hyaluronic acid | None listed |
| Boswellia | None listed |
| Omega-3 (fish oil, krill or mussel) | None listed |
Sources: VetUK, Direct-Vet and Nutramax's label as published on Drugs.com, checked 8 October 2026.
Full composition and additives
Nutramax's label for Cosequin DS chewable tablets lists the inactive ingredients as microcrystalline cellulose, natural and artificial flavors, and silicon dioxide (Drugs.com). Microcrystalline cellulose is a filler and binder; silicon dioxide stops the powder clumping. The flavourings aren't named, so you can't tell from the label whether they're meat, poultry or something else. The glucosamine is branded FCHG49 and the chondroitin TRH122, Nutramax's own trademarked ingredients.
The UK listings we found give the actives but not a full ingredient list, and the manganese figure differs between them: VetUK says 6.5mg as manganese ascorbate, Direct-Vet says 5mg manganese sulphate, and Nutramax's US label says 3mg. If the exact figure matters to you, check the box you receive.
Other Cosequin versions sold in the UK
Cosequin isn't one product. Some UK sellers import US retail versions, such as Cosequin Maximum Strength Plus MSM & HA. Nutramax's Plus MSM chewable tablet has 600mg glucosamine, 300mg chondroitin, 250mg MSM and 3mg manganese per tablet. That adds MSM, but still has no green-lipped mussel or Boswellia. Read the label on the tub you actually buy.
Allergens
We couldn't find an allergen statement for Cosequin DS. The label doesn't list fish, mussel, egg or cereals, but it doesn't say where the glucosamine comes from (glucosamine is often made from shellfish) and doesn't name the flavourings. If your dog has a food allergy, ask your vet before using it. For more, see Cosequin side effects.
What the evidence says about each active
A 2022 meta-analysis of 72 trials by Barbeau-Grégoire et al. (International Journal of Molecular Sciences) looked at supplements for arthritis pain in dogs and cats:
- Glucosamine and chondroitin: the review found "a very marked non-effect" on pain and said they should no longer be recommended for pain management. That applies to every product built on them, MedPaw's glucosamine and chondroitin included. They're widely used to support cartilage, but don't expect them to relieve pain. They are almost all of Cosequin DS's formula.
- Omega-3: the strongest evidence of any supplement for arthritis pain. Cosequin DS contains none.
- MSM, Boswellia and hyaluronic acid: too few studies to judge on their own. Cosequin DS has none of them.
- Manganese: a trace mineral; the review didn't assess it.
What's missing compared with MedPaw
Cosequin DS gives more glucosamine and chondroitin per day than MedPaw: at 30kg, 1 to 2 tablets on maintenance give 500 to 1,000mg glucosamine and 400 to 800mg chondroitin, against 340 to 510mg and 140 to 210mg from 2 to 3 MedPaw chews. But that's the whole formula. MedPaw adds four actives Cosequin DS doesn't have, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia, plus vitamins C and E and zinc.
Why Cosequin customers switch to MedPaw
Cosequin DS vs MedPaw: what's in each
| The issue | Cosequin DS (per tablet) | MedPaw (per chew) |
|---|---|---|
| Key joint actives | 2 of 6: glucosamine 500mg, chondroitin 400mg | All 6: glucosamine 170mg, chondroitin 70mg, MSM 185mg, green-lipped mussel 70mg, Boswellia 30mg, plus hyaluronic acid |
| Omega-3 source | None | Green-lipped mussel |
| Vitamins and minerals | Manganese | Vitamin C 33mg, vitamin E 24 IU, zinc 3mg |
| Flavour | "Natural and artificial flavors", not named | Chicken and bacon |
| Format | Chewable tablet | Soft chew; whole chews at every weight |
| Allergens | No allergen statement found | Contains mollusc and gluten (brewer's yeast) |
| If it doesn't suit | No money-back guarantee we could find | 60-day money-back guarantee, nothing to send back |
Our recommendation: if you've read Cosequin's label and want more than glucosamine and chondroitin, choose MedPaw, unless your dog has a shellfish or gluten allergy. Swap rather than stack, give it six to eight weeks, and if you're not happy, email bark@medpaw.co.uk within 60 days of delivery for a refund. Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews.
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.
More on Cosequin: our Cosequin reviews, MedPaw vs Cosequin and Cosequin vs Dasuquin.
What is in Cosequin for dogs?
Each Cosequin DS chewable tablet contains 500mg glucosamine hydrochloride, 400mg chondroitin sulphate and a small amount of manganese. Nutramax's label lists microcrystalline cellulose, natural and artificial flavors and silicon dioxide as the other ingredients.
Does Cosequin contain MSM?
Cosequin DS doesn't. Some US versions sold in the UK do: Nutramax's Plus MSM chewable tablet lists 250mg MSM per tablet. MedPaw contains 185mg MSM per chew.
Does Cosequin contain green-lipped mussel or fish oil?
Cosequin DS doesn't list green-lipped mussel, fish oil or any other omega-3 source. MedPaw contains green-lipped mussel.
Is Cosequin shellfish-free?
We couldn't confirm it. The label doesn't list shellfish, but it doesn't say where the glucosamine comes from, and glucosamine is often made from shellfish. Ask your vet if your dog has a shellfish allergy. MedPaw contains mussel, so it isn't suitable either.
Is Cosequin or MedPaw stronger?
Cosequin DS has more glucosamine and chondroitin per day. MedPaw has a broader formula, with all six key joint actives, including MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia, which Cosequin DS doesn't contain.
Can I switch from Cosequin to MedPaw straight away?
Yes. Stop Cosequin and start MedPaw the next day. There's no need for a gap, and you shouldn't give both. Check with your vet first if your dog takes any medication.
