If you have been giving your dog a joint supplement for a few weeks and cannot see any difference, it is fair to question it. You are doing the daily routine, you are hopeful, and you want to know it is worth it. Feeling frustrated or a little worried at this point is very common.
The reassuring part is that "not working" often has an ordinary explanation, and most of them are things you can check at home. Sometimes it is simply too early. Sometimes the dose, the format or the home set-up needs a tweak. And sometimes the honest answer is that your dog needs a vet, not a different product.
This guide walks through the likely reasons you are not seeing a change, how to judge progress fairly, and the signs that mean it is time to book an appointment.
Comparing joint supplements before you make a switch
Before deciding a supplement has failed, it helps to see what else is out there. Joint products differ mostly in which actives they list, so the table below compares six popular options. Dorwest is not one of the six, but the comparison shows what to look for in any formula.
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is our own product, and it appears first. We have shown every brand's declared actives, format and guarantee as published.
UK dog joint supplements compared, ingredient by ingredient
| 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.
The top row is the one to read first. MedPaw is the only one of the six listing all six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. The others list between two and four. If your dog has been checked by the vet and you want the widest range in one daily feed, that is a strong reason to choose MedPaw.
MedPaw is a soft chew, so you can see your dog eat it. For a 20kg dog the guide is 2 to 3 chews a day, doubled for the first three weeks, with 2 to 3 months of daily use recommended. A 60-day money-back guarantee and Subscribe & Save are available, so you can give it a fair trial.
See MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max Take a look at the full ingredient list and feeding guide to see how it could fit your dog's daily routine.
What a joint supplement can and cannot do
A joint supplement is a complementary feed. It is designed to support joint comfort and mobility as part of a wider routine, alongside good veterinary care. It is not a diagnosis, it is not pain relief, and it does not replace anything your vet has prescribed.
That matters because stiffness has many possible causes. Arthritis, hip dysplasia, cruciate problems, and back or nerve issues can all make a dog slow down, and some of them need proper assessment and prescribed management. Until you know what is behind the stiffness, it is hard to judge any supplement fairly.
So if your dog is limping, slowing down or seems uncomfortable and has not been checked, the first step is a vet visit, not a different tub of chews.
Seven common reasons you may not be seeing a change
1. It has not been long enough
Joint supplements are daily feeds, and any change tends to be gradual. Giving up after a week or two is one of the most common reasons owners feel nothing is happening. For MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max, we recommend 2 to 3 months of daily use, so it helps to set a trial period and note the start date.
2. The dose or routine is not quite right
Missed days, guessing your dog's weight, or skipping the loading phase can all affect how your dog responds. Feeding guides are based on bodyweight, so weigh your dog rather than estimating.
For MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max, the guide is 1 chew a day up to 4kg, 2 chews for 5 to 17kg, and 2 to 3 chews for 18kg and over. The amount is doubled for the first three weeks. If you did not double it at the start, check the pack and get back on track. Whatever product you use, follow its own feeding guide.
3. The changes are subtle
When you see your dog every day, gradual change is easy to miss. It rarely looks dramatic. It might be getting up from the bed a little more smoothly, going up the stairs without hesitating, or lagging less on the second half of a walk.
This is why a simple record beats memory, and we cover how to keep one below.
4. Your dog is not getting the full amount
Tablets and capsules can be spat out, dropped or only partly eaten, especially by fussy dogs. Watch to make sure your dog is actually swallowing the whole dose. If you are thinking of crushing a tablet into food, check that product's instructions first, as not every product is designed for it.
5. The underlying problem needs more than a supplement
Some conditions need veterinary assessment, and often prescribed management as well. If your dog's stiffness is significant, getting worse, or has never been investigated, a supplement alone is unlikely to feel like enough. This is where your vet's input matters most.
6. Other factors are adding strain to the joints
Extra weight, repeated high-impact exercise, slippery floors and an unsupportive bed all put more load on the joints. A supplement is only one part of the picture, and it can be hard for it to make a noticeable difference if the daily environment is working against it.
7. The format or formula is not the right match
Different products have different ingredients and come in different formats. A dog that fights a tablet every morning may take a soft chew without any fuss, and a dog that takes its dose reliably is far more likely to get a fair trial. A different format is worth considering if daily dosing is a struggle.
How to judge progress fairly
Guessing is unreliable, particularly when you are worried. A mobility diary gives you something concrete to look back on, and it is just as useful when you talk to your vet.
Keep a simple diary for 8 to 12 weeks
You do not need anything elaborate. A note on your phone every few days is enough. Look at these areas:
- How easily your dog gets up from rest, especially first thing in the morning
- Willingness to jump into the car or onto the sofa
- How they cope with stairs and slippery floors
- Walk length, and how they recover afterwards
- How stiff they seem after resting
It also helps to film your dog walking once a fortnight, on the same surface and from the same angle if you can. Short clips make slow changes much easier to see, and your vet can learn a lot from them.
A simple way to record what you notice
| What to watch | What you might note | When to check |
|---|---|---|
| Getting up from rest | Quick, slow, or needs a few attempts | Morning and after naps |
| Jumping and stairs | Willing, hesitant, or avoids them | Every few days |
| Walks | Length, pace, lagging behind | After each walk |
| Stiffness after rest | How long it takes to loosen up | Evening and morning |
For guidance only, not a diagnosis.
Change one thing at a time
If you switch the supplement, change the diet and alter the exercise routine all in the same week, you will never know what made a difference. Where you can, change one thing, give it time, then consider the next. It is slower, but it gives you a clearer answer.
Other things that affect joint comfort
A supplement works best as part of a joint-friendly routine. These are the areas that tend to matter most day to day.
- Weight: Keeping a dog lean is one of the most useful things an owner can do for joint comfort. Your vet or practice nurse can score your dog's body condition and help you set a target weight.
- Exercise: Regular, steady, low-impact exercise is usually kinder than occasional long or intense bursts. If your dog is stiff, avoid repeated ball-chasing and jumping.
- Floors: Non-slip rugs or runners on hard floors give stiff dogs more confidence and help them avoid slips.
- Bedding: A supportive, orthopaedic-style bed in a warm, dry spot can make rest more comfortable, as cold and damp tend to make stiff dogs feel worse.
- Getting in and out of the car: A ramp can save your dog repeated jumps. Raised bowls are only worth using if your vet suggests them.
These changes cost little, and they are easy to start today alongside your daily routine.
When "not working" really means "see the vet"
This is the part that matters most. A supplement should never delay a vet visit when your dog may be in pain. If you are concerned about your dog's health, please speak to your vet in the first instance.
How quickly to act on what you see
Mild, slow-changing stiffness
Slower to get going after rest, but otherwise bright and eating well. Keep your diary, review the routine and mention it at your next vet visit.
Clear changes in how your dog moves
Reluctance on stairs or to jump, licking at a joint, restlessness at night, or a change in mood when touched. Book a vet appointment soon.
Sudden or severe signs
Yelping, not putting weight on a leg, collapsing, a dog that cannot stand, or sudden loss of use of the back legs. Contact a vet the same day.
Signs to book an appointment for
- Limping, holding a leg up, or refusing to put weight on a limb
- Crying out, yelping, or reacting when touched or picked up
- Sudden stiffness, or a quick decline
- Difficulty getting up, or slipping or collapsing when rising
- New reluctance to climb stairs or jump
- Licking or chewing at a joint
- Swollen or warm joints
- Panting, restlessness or being unable to settle at night
- Withdrawn, grumpy or snappy behaviour when handled
- A hunched back, wobbly back legs, or dragging or knuckling of the paws
Appetite matters too
A poor appetite can be a sign that a dog is coming down with an illness, and dogs in pain sometimes eat less. If your dog goes off its food, loses weight or seems generally unwell alongside any change in mobility, that needs your vet's attention rather than a change of supplement.
Considering a different format or formula
If you have given it a fair trial, checked the dose and ruled out other issues with your vet, it is natural to wonder whether another product might suit your dog better. No single formula suits every dog, and ingredient lists and formats do differ.
Formats include soft chews, tablets, chewable tablets and capsules. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew. NutraPaw Joint Support and YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max are tablets, Seraquin Joint is a chewable tablet, Synoquin EFA comes as a tablet or capsule, and Nutraquin+ is a capsule. Format can make a real difference to whether a dog takes its dose reliably.
Ingredients vary as well. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max contains glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata, plus omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, vitamins C and E, and zinc. It is made with rapeseed oil and glycerine. By comparison, from the manufacturers' published information (September 2026):
- NutraPaw Joint Support lists turmeric and collagen, and does not list chondroitin or Boswellia.
- YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max lists fish oil, with chondroitin only via the mussel, and does not list MSM or Boswellia.
- Seraquin Joint lists glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric, and does not list green-lipped mussel or omega-3.
- Synoquin EFA lists krill oil alongside glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Nutraquin+ lists glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia.
Guarantees differ too. MedPaw offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, NutraPaw lists 90 days, YuMOVE lists 6 weeks, and the others do not state one. As we suggest 2 to 3 months for a fair trial, it is worth checking that any guarantee is long enough to let you judge properly.
Whichever you choose, check the ingredients against any dietary sensitivities your dog has, and talk to your vet before switching.
Talking to your vet
A little preparation makes the appointment far more useful. Bring:
- The supplement label or pack, so your vet can see exactly what your dog is eating and how much
- Your mobility diary and any videos you have filmed
- A list of everything your dog takes, including medicines, other supplements and treats
- Any changes to appetite, weight, behaviour or sleep
Always tell your vet about every supplement your dog is given, particularly if your dog is on anti-inflammatories or other prescribed medicines. Check with them before adding anything new alongside prescribed medication. Your vet knows your dog's history and can advise on the safest combination.
The short version
If your dog's joint supplement does not seem to be working, start with the simple checks. Has it been long enough? Is the dose right? Is your dog actually eating it? Are weight, floors and exercise helping or getting in the way? A diary and a few videos will show you what a busy daily routine can hide.
Be patient and consistent, change one thing at a time, and keep your vet involved. A supplement can support your dog's joint comfort as part of a bigger plan, but if your dog shows signs of pain or is getting worse, the right next step is a vet visit.
How long should I give Dorwest before deciding it is not working?
Joint supplements are daily feeds and any change tends to be gradual, so a week or two is rarely enough to judge. It is sensible to set a trial period of around 2 to 3 months, follow the feeding guide on the pack and note your start date. Keeping a simple mobility diary will help you judge progress fairly, and your vet can look at it with you.
What should I check first if I think Dorwest is not working?
Start with the basics: is your dog getting the full dose for their current weight, are any days being missed, and is the whole dose actually being eaten? Weigh your dog rather than estimating, and follow that product's own feeding guide. It is also worth looking at weight, floors, bedding and exercise, as these all affect how comfortable your dog is day to day.
When does a dog not improving mean I should see the vet rather than switch supplement?
If your dog is limping, yelping, struggling to get up, reluctant on stairs or getting worse, please speak to your vet before changing anything. Stiffness can have several causes, and some need proper assessment and prescribed management. A supplement is a complementary feed and does not replace veterinary care.
If I switch from Dorwest, what is different about MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max?
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew containing glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata, plus omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, vitamins C and E, and zinc. It comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. For the details of any other product, check that manufacturer's own UK product page, and talk to your vet before switching.
How many MedPaw chews does a 20kg dog have each day?
For dogs of 18kg and over, the label guide is 2 to 3 chews a day, doubled for the first three weeks. A 20kg dog would therefore have 2 to 3 chews a day normally, and 4 to 6 a day for the first three weeks. We suggest 2 to 3 months of daily use for optimal results, and each tub contains 60 chews.
Can I give a new joint supplement alongside my dog's medication?
Always tell your vet about every supplement your dog has, especially if they are on anti-inflammatories or other prescribed medicines. Check with them before adding anything new alongside prescribed medication. Your vet knows your dog's history and can advise on the safest combination.
