Quick answer: each Dasuquin Small/Medium tablet contains 600mg glucosamine HCl, 250mg chondroitin sulphate and 45mg avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU); the Large tablet has 900mg, 350mg and 90mg. The rest is hydrolysed poultry protein, dextrose, magnesium stearate and tea extract, with brewer's yeast in the Large tablet. That's two of the six key joint actives plus ASU, with no MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid or omega-3, and retailers' ingredient lists don't match Protexin's. 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. Dasuquin's ingredients come from Protexin Veterinary's product page and UK retailer listings. Everything was checked on 8 October 2026.
Dasuquin's active ingredients
Dasuquin for Dogs (UK): actives per tablet
| Active | Small/Medium (under 25kg) | Large (over 25kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Glucosamine HCl (from fermentation) | 600mg | 900mg |
| Chondroitin sulphate (from animal tissue) | 250mg | 350mg |
| Avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) | 45mg | 90mg |
| Tea extract (sensory additive) | 8,820mg/kg; amount per tablet not published | 14,407mg/kg; amount per tablet not published |
| Boswellia | Listed by some retailers, not by Protexin; amount not published | Same |
| MSM | None listed | None listed |
| Green-lipped mussel | None listed | None listed |
| Hyaluronic acid | None listed | None listed |
| Omega-3 (fish oil, krill or mussel) | None listed | None listed |
Source: Protexin Veterinary, Dasuquin for Dogs, checked 8 October 2026.
Full composition and additives
Protexin's page lists the Small/Medium tablet as glucosamine HCl from fermentation (36.5%), chondroitin sulphate from animal tissue (16.6%), hydrolysed animal protein (poultry), dextrose, fatty acid distillates (the ASU powder, 2.6%) and magnesium stearate. The Large tablet is the same with higher percentages and inactivated brewer's yeast. The only listed additive is tea extract, as a sensory additive, plus a natural flavour "to improve palatability". No analytical constituents are published.
Retailer listings tell a different story
Viovet and PDSA Pet Store list the same three actives, but add Boswellia serrata as an additive, soy lecithin, brewer's yeast and soya protein isolate, plus colloidal silica, microcrystalline cellulose and a tocopherol extract. Protexin's own literature isn't consistent either: its leaflets mention Boswellia and green tea polyphenols, while its product page names neither. We can't tell which list matches the tub on the shelf today, so check the label you receive, especially if your dog has allergies.
UK Dasuquin isn't the US formula
In the US, Nutramax sells Dasuquin Advanced with MSM, Boswellia, omega fatty acids, green tea extract, alpha-lipoic acid, manganese and curcumin, according to a VCA Animal Hospitals guide. UK retailers call Protexin's tablet "Dasuquin Advanced" too, but its published actives are just glucosamine, chondroitin and ASU. If you're reading US articles, the ingredient lists won't match.
Allergens
Dasuquin doesn't publish an allergen statement. Protexin's list includes poultry (hydrolysed animal protein), soy (the ASU), animal-derived chondroitin and, in the Large tablet, brewer's yeast. Retailer listings add soy lecithin and soya protein isolate. It doesn't list fish, krill or shellfish, and Protexin says the glucosamine comes from fermentation. For more, see Dasuquin 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.
- ASU: one trial of ASU on its own was among those that showed an effect on pain. A glucosamine, chondroitin and ASU combination was grouped with the glucosamine and chondroitin products, the category the review found had no effect on pain. One trial isn't enough to draw firm conclusions.
- Green tea: one trial tested a diet with green tea extract, turmeric and collagen; owners' impressions were positive, but the objective measurement was inconclusive.
- Omega-3: the strongest evidence of any supplement for arthritis pain. Dasuquin contains none.
- MSM, Boswellia and hyaluronic acid: too few studies to judge on their own.
What's missing compared with MedPaw
Per tablet, Dasuquin has far more glucosamine and chondroitin than a MedPaw chew, and for medium and large dogs it gives more per day too: a 30kg dog on one Large tablet at maintenance gets 900mg glucosamine and 350mg chondroitin, against 340 to 510mg and 140 to 210mg from 2 to 3 MedPaw chews. But that, plus ASU, is the whole formula. MedPaw adds MSM, green-lipped mussel and hyaluronic acid, a stated 30mg of Boswellia, and vitamins and zinc. MedPaw has no ASU.
Why Dasuquin customers switch to MedPaw
Dasuquin vs MedPaw: what's in each
| The issue | Dasuquin (per Small/Medium tablet) | MedPaw (per chew) |
|---|---|---|
| Key joint actives | 2 of 6: glucosamine 600mg, chondroitin 250mg, plus ASU 45mg | 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 | None listed | Vitamin C 33mg, vitamin E 24 IU, zinc 3mg |
| Amounts on the label | Three actives listed; no amount per tablet for tea extract or Boswellia, and lists differ between sellers | The main amounts per chew on the label (hyaluronic acid amount not published) |
| Allergens | No allergen statement; contains poultry and soy | 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 Dasuquin's label and want more than glucosamine, chondroitin and ASU, 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 Dasuquin: our Dasuquin reviews, MedPaw vs Dasuquin and our guide to glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs.
What is in Dasuquin?
Each Small/Medium tablet contains 600mg glucosamine HCl, 250mg chondroitin sulphate and 45mg ASU; the Large tablet has 900mg, 350mg and 90mg. Protexin also lists hydrolysed poultry protein, dextrose, magnesium stearate and tea extract, with brewer's yeast in the Large tablet.
What is ASU in Dasuquin?
ASU stands for avocado/soybean unsaponifiables, a fraction of avocado and soybean oil. Dasuquin has 45mg per Small/Medium tablet and 90mg per Large tablet. One trial of ASU on its own showed an effect on pain in a 2022 review, but that's not enough to draw firm conclusions.
Does Dasuquin contain Boswellia?
It depends on which list you read. Viovet and PDSA Pet Store list Boswellia serrata as an additive, but Protexin's own product page doesn't mention it. No source publishes an amount.
Is Dasuquin shellfish-free?
Protexin says its glucosamine comes from fermentation, and none of the ingredient lists we found include fish or shellfish. It does contain poultry protein and soy. Check the tub and ask your vet if your dog has allergies.
Is Dasuquin or MedPaw stronger?
Dasuquin has more glucosamine and chondroitin per tablet. MedPaw has a broader formula, with all six key joint actives, including MSM, green-lipped mussel and hyaluronic acid, which Dasuquin doesn't contain.
Can I switch from Dasuquin to MedPaw straight away?
Yes. Stop Dasuquin 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.
