You have been giving your dog a joint supplement for a few weeks, and you are not sure it is doing anything. Perhaps the stiffness after a nap looks much the same, or the hesitation at the bottom of the stairs has not changed. It is a very common worry, and a fair one to have.
Before you decide a supplement has failed, it helps to check a few things: how long it has been, whether the amount is right, and whether something else is making your dog uncomfortable. Sometimes the answer is simply more time. Sometimes it is a trip to the vet. We will walk through both, in plain English.
A joint supplement is a complementary feed. It is designed to support joints and mobility as part of a wider routine, alongside veterinary care, a healthy weight, sensible exercise and a comfortable home. It is not a quick fix, and it does not replace finding out why your dog is stiff.
Switching from Pet Gently? What the ingredient table shows
If a few weeks of Pet Gently have left you unsure, comparing what is actually in each formula is a sensible next step. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is our own product, and it sits first in the table below.
The table covers MedPaw and five other UK joint supplements, starting with a count of the six key joint actives each one lists: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata.
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 product in the table with all six key joint actives, scoring 6 of 6. The nearest is NutraPaw at 4 of 6, and the others list between 2 and 3. For a dog whose progress is hard to judge, that wider spread of actives in one daily soft chew gives joints and mobility more support from a single routine.
MedPaw also adds omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, plus vitamins C and E and zinc. The soft chew is easy to give every day, and consistency matters when you are watching for gradual change over 2 to 3 months.
If you decide to try it, the 60-day money-back guarantee lets you give it a proper, steady run, and Subscribe & Save keeps the routine going without gaps. It is a complementary feed, best used alongside veterinary care.
Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max See the full formula and feeding guide for your dog's weight, and start the steady daily routine with confidence.
Have you given it long enough?
Joint support products are generally given every day over weeks and months, not days. Often, owners who feel a supplement is not working have stopped, or lost faith, before it has had a fair trial.
For MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max, 2 to 3 months of daily use is recommended. The feeding guide also starts with a doubled amount for the first three weeks, then carries on at the normal daily amount. If you skipped that first stage, or stopped after two or three weeks, it is worth starting again with a clear, consistent run.
Why change is easy to miss
Changes in how a dog moves tend to be gradual. You see your dog every day, so small shifts are almost invisible. It is also easy to forget how stiff they were a month ago, especially when you are comparing one good day with one bad day.
A simple record helps. Every two weeks, jot down a few notes and take a short phone video:
- How easily your dog gets up after resting
- How they manage stairs or steps
- Whether they jump into the car or onto the sofa, or hesitate
- How they walk in the first few minutes of a walk, and at the end
Comparing videos side by side is far more reliable than memory. They are also very useful to show your vet.
Is your dog getting the right amount?
It sounds basic, but it is one of the most common slip-ups. Here is the MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max feeding guide:
- Up to 4kg: 1 chew a day
- 5 to 17kg: 2 chews a day
- 18kg and over: 2 to 3 chews a day
- Doubled for the first three weeks, then continue at the daily amount
A few practical checks can make a real difference:
- Weigh your dog again. Many of us go by the weight on a puppy vaccination card, or a rough guess. A dog who has gained or lost weight may be in a different feeding band now.
- Make sure every chew is eaten. Dogs can drop pieces or leave bits in the bowl without us noticing.
- Check the feeding guide against your dog's exact weight. If your dog sits close to a band boundary, ask your vet or vet nurse what suits them.
Reasons a dog may still seem stiff
Even when a supplement is given correctly, stiffness can have other causes or contributors. Some of these you can change at home. Others need a vet.
Common reasons a dog may still seem stiff on a joint supplement
| Possible factor | What it can look like | What may help |
|---|---|---|
| Extra weight | Slower on walks, tires quickly, struggles to get up | Weigh regularly, measure food, ask your vet for a target weight |
| Uneven exercise | Sore or stiff after a big weekend walk following a quiet week | Shorter, steadier walks on even ground |
| Home environment | Slipping on smooth floors, avoiding stairs, hesitating at the car | Rugs, ramps, steps and a supportive bed |
| Another underlying cause | Persistent limp, worsening signs, pain when touched | A vet examination and diagnosis |
For guidance only, not a diagnosis.
Extra weight
Extra weight puts more load through the joints with every step. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is one of the most helpful things you can do for a stiff dog. Your vet or vet nurse can give you a body condition score, set a target weight and help you plan how to get there.
Remember to count chews, dental sticks and treats as part of the daily allowance. Small extras add up faster than we expect.
The exercise pattern
Long, intense or irregular exercise can leave a dog sore. A quiet week followed by a big weekend hike is a classic example. Many stiff dogs do better with shorter, more frequent, steady walks on even ground, and with less repeated ball-chasing, sudden twisting and jumping.
Gentle activities such as lead walks on grass can suit many dogs. Where your vet agrees, hydrotherapy may suit some dogs too.
Something else going on
Limping and stiffness can come from many causes, including cruciate ligament problems, hip or elbow dysplasia, arthritis, spinal problems, injuries and infections. A supplement cannot tell you which one it is, and only a vet can diagnose it. If your dog has not improved after consistent use and the home changes below, a check-up is the sensible next step.
Simple changes at home that make life easier
You do not need to redo the whole house. A few small adjustments can make a noticeable difference to a stiff dog's day.
- Lay rugs or non-slip mats on smooth floors
- Use a ramp for the car and a step for the sofa or bed
- Give them a thick, supportive bed away from draughts
- Keep nails trimmed so paws grip better
- Keep your dog warm, as cold and damp weather can make some stiff dogs more uncomfortable
- Ask your vet whether raised food and water bowls would suit your dog
Please never give human painkillers. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be dangerous to dogs. Only use medication prescribed by your vet.
Is the formula the right fit?
Joint supplements differ in their ingredients, format and guarantee, so it is worth reading the label rather than assuming they are all alike. Some products are tablets or capsules, others are soft chews. Some list chondroitin, some include turmeric or collagen, and some contain marine ingredients such as green-lipped mussel or krill oil.
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew. Its key joint ingredients 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.
Because products combine different ingredients, a dog who does not seem to settle on one is not automatically a "non-responder". Even so, the better first step is almost always a vet check rather than a product switch.
Avoid swapping again and again
Changing products every few weeks makes it very hard to judge any of them. If you do decide to change, do it deliberately, keep notes, and allow a proper run of daily use before you draw conclusions.
Tell your vet about everything your dog takes
Mention every supplement, oil, chew and treat. This matters particularly if your dog has a known fish or shellfish sensitivity, as some joint products contain green-lipped mussel or fish-derived ingredients. It also matters if your dog takes regular medication or has other health conditions.
A note on the guarantee and timing
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available. We want to be upfront about something: 60 days is a little shorter than the 2 to 3 months of daily use we recommend.
That is why we suggest starting your mobility diary on day one, with a short video each fortnight. If you have any concerns about how your dog is getting on, contact our team before the guarantee window closes, and speak to your vet at the same time. Having a record to share makes those conversations much more useful.
When to stop waiting and call the vet
A supplement is for ongoing, everyday support. It is not for sudden problems. Use this as a rough guide to how quickly to act.
How quickly to speak to your vet
Gentle slowing down
Mild stiffness after rest or a slightly slower pace. Start your diary, check the amount and weight, and mention it at the next routine visit.
Persistent or worsening signs
Reluctance to use stairs, jump or play, licking or chewing at a joint, muscle loss in a leg, or no improvement after consistent use. Book a routine appointment.
Sudden or severe signs
Not putting weight on a leg, yelping, a hot or swollen joint, dragging back legs, collapse, or lameness with lethargy or loss of appetite. Contact your vet the same day.
Older dogs, large and giant breeds, and dogs with a family history of joint problems are worth watching closely. A growing puppy with any lameness or unusual gait should be seen by a vet. Your vet can find the cause, suggest pain relief, physiotherapy, diet changes or other options, and advise how a supplement fits into the plan.
A simple checklist to come back to
If you are unsure whether your dog's supplement is doing its job, work through these in order:
- Is your dog getting the right amount for their current weight, every day, with every chew eaten?
- Have you completed the doubled first three weeks and given it the full 2 to 3 months?
- Are you tracking progress with notes and videos rather than memory?
- Is your dog at a healthy weight, with steady, regular exercise?
- Is the home set up to help, with grip, ramps and a good bed?
- Has your vet had a look, especially if signs are persisting or getting worse?
Used consistently, MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is designed to support your dog's joint comfort and mobility as part of a daily routine. The kindest thing you can do for a stiff dog is to give support time, keep good notes, and let your vet guide the bigger picture.
How long should I give Pet Gently before deciding it is not working?
Joint supplements are generally given every day over weeks and months, not days, so it can be too early to judge after a short run. Check the feeding guide and any loading phase on Pet Gently's own UK product page, as we cannot speak for another brand's directions. Keep a simple diary with a short phone video every two weeks, which is far more reliable than memory.
I am giving the right amount and my dog still seems stiff. What should I do?
Re-weigh your dog, make sure every dose is actually eaten, and check the amount against the manufacturer's guide for their current weight. Extra weight, uneven exercise and slippery floors can all play a part, and stiffness can also have underlying causes that a supplement cannot identify. If signs persist or worsen, please book a vet appointment and take your diary videos along.
Should I switch joint supplements if one does not seem to help?
A vet check is usually the better first step than a product switch, particularly if your dog has a persistent limp or is getting worse. If you and your vet are happy to change, do it deliberately and allow a proper run of daily use before judging, because swapping every few weeks makes any product hard to assess. Compare labels for actives, format, daily amount and guarantee rather than assuming all supplements are alike.
How is MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max different from tablets like Pet Gently?
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata declared in one product. It is a complementary feed designed to support joint comfort and mobility, not a medicine. For Pet Gently's ingredients and format, please read the manufacturer's current UK product page and compare the labels side by side.
How many MedPaw chews does a 20kg dog need, and how long does a tub last?
A 20kg dog falls in the 18kg and over band, so the label says 2 to 3 chews a day, doubled for the first three weeks, which means 4 to 6 chews a day at the start. A tub holds 60 chews, so it lasts 10 to 15 days during that first stage. After that it lasts 20 to 30 days at 2 to 3 chews a day. Your vet or vet nurse can help if your dog sits near a weight band.
Is MedPaw's 60-day guarantee long enough to judge the chews?
We are upfront that 60 days is a little shorter than the 2 to 3 months of daily use we recommend. That is why we suggest starting a mobility diary on day one and contacting our team before the guarantee window closes if you have any concerns. Please speak to your vet at the same time, especially if your dog's stiffness is persistent or getting worse.
