If your dog is slowing down on walks, stiff after a nap or hesitating at the car boot, it is natural to start looking at joint supplements. Flexadin is a name many UK owners come across, and it often gets compared with MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max. Both are daily soft chews, but they are built on quite different ideas.
This article is mainly about Flexadin. We describe it using only what the published sources state, and we say clearly where those sources run out. MedPaw comes in for comparison, but it is not the focus.
Neither product is a medicine. Both are complementary feeds that sit alongside veterinary care, so your vet is always the first port of call for diagnosis and pain.
How MedPaw's six joint actives compare with popular UK options
If you are weighing up Flexadin, it helps to have one clear yardstick to hold every joint supplement against. Here we use six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata.
The table below scores MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max, our own product, against five other well-known UK joint supplements, opening with that six-active count.
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. The others score between 2 and 4 of 6, so the gap is clear at a glance. Each active is there to support joints in its own way, which is why having all six in one daily soft chew matters.
Flexadin is not one of the products in this table. The simplest way to compare it is to take the same six actives and check them against the pack in your hand. Whatever you find, count what is declared, not what the front label implies.
MedPaw is a soft chew rather than a tablet, with a 60-day money-back guarantee and Subscribe & Save if you settle on it. Joint supplements work best as a steady routine, so we recommend 2-3 months of daily use alongside your vet's guidance.
See MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max If you want all six key joint actives in one daily soft chew, you can see the full MedPaw formula and feeding guide here.
What Flexadin Advanced is, according to the sources
The sources describe Flexadin Advanced in some detail, so here is what they say. Everything in this section applies to that product only.
Format and taste acceptance
Flexadin Advanced is described as a one-a-day, chicken-flavoured soft chew. The manufacturer presents it as a palatable chew that dogs readily accept. That is about taste, not joints, so it is best read as a sign that most dogs will happily eat it.
The main active: undenatured Type II collagen
The label centres on undenatured Type II collagen, often shortened to UC-II. The manufacturer describes collagen as a key component of cartilage that provides strength and stability in joints. A "COL2V" stamp is used to show the collagen is of the right quantity and quality.
The sources do not quite agree on the amount. One secondary source quotes a per-chew figure in milligrams, whilst the label text we hold gives the collagen as a percentage of the chew. So please check the pack in your hand for the current figure, rather than relying on a number you have read elsewhere.
Omega-3, vitamin E and the rest of the label
The label lists flaxseed (linseed) oil and fish oil, both described as sources of omega-3. Vitamin E is listed too, and the manufacturer describes it as an antioxidant that helps maintain joint health.
Other labelled ingredients include:
- Chicken liver powder and chicken cartilage powder
- Oat flour and rye flour
- Brewer's yeast and glycerin
- Pectin, sucrose, maltodextrin and calcium sulfate dihydrate
- Additives such as gum arabic, sodium alginate and sorbic acid (a preservative)
- Olibanum extract, which comes from Boswellia serrata and is listed as a flavouring compound
What the label we hold does not list
The label text we hold does not list glucosamine or chondroitin. The manufacturer says it understands they are well tolerated alongside Flexadin Advanced. That is a statement about combining products, not a recommendation, so please ask your vet before giving more than one joint supplement.
The sources do not cover the guarantee, price or pack sizes. For those, check the manufacturer's current information or the retailer.
A note on "Flexadin" meaning more than one product
One source describes Flexadin as typically containing glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate, sometimes with omega-3 or other nutrients, with weight-based dosing and multiple tablets for larger dogs. That does not match the Flexadin Advanced label or its one-chew-a-day dosing.
It may refer to a different Flexadin product or an older description, and the wording is hedged ("typically", "often"). The practical point is that the name can mean more than one thing. Always check the exact product name, ingredient list and feeding guide on the pack you are considering.
How MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max differs
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is also a daily soft chew sold as a complementary feed. Rather than leading with one ingredient, it is built around a group of joint ingredients:
- Glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM
- Green-lipped mussel
- Hyaluronic acid
- 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. There is a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available.
Where the two overlap
They do share a few features. Both are soft chews, both include omega-3 and vitamin E, and both include Boswellia serrata in some form. In MedPaw it is one of the key joint ingredients. On the Flexadin Advanced label, olibanum extract from Boswellia serrata is listed as a flavouring compound.
Beyond that, the approaches differ. One leans on a single collagen-led idea. The other combines several ingredients. Neither approach can promise results for every dog, and because the formulas are so different, they cannot be compared milligram for milligram.
Dosing: one chew versus weight-based
This is one of the clearest practical differences.
Flexadin Advanced is described as one chew a day whatever the size of your dog, with no initial loading phase. The manufacturer says this is because of the way the collagen works, so size and weight do not change the daily amount. It can be offered by hand or mixed with food.
MedPaw is dosed by weight. The guide is 1 chew a day up to 4kg, 2 for 5-17kg, and 2-3 for 18kg and over. The amount is doubled for the first three weeks, and we recommend 2-3 months of daily use.
A flat one-chew routine is simple to remember. A weight-based routine with a doubled starting phase takes a little more planning, though it soon becomes second nature. Pick whichever you can keep up every day, because consistency matters more than any single feature.
Choosing between them: practical points
There is no single right answer for every dog. These steps can help you decide calmly.
- Start with your vet. They know your dog's age, weight, health history and any medicines. Ask whether a joint supplement suits your dog at all.
- Compare labels, not slogans. Look at the ingredient list, the amounts given and the feeding guide for your dog's weight.
- Think about your routine. Choose the dosing style you will realistically stick to.
- Check for allergies and special diets. The Flexadin Advanced label includes chicken, fish oil, oat and rye, and also lists sucrose and maltodextrin. MedPaw contains green-lipped mussel, which is shellfish-derived. If your dog has a known allergy, a sensitive stomach, or is on a prescription or weight-management diet, check with your vet first.
- Ask about the guarantee. MedPaw has a 60-day money-back guarantee. The sources do not state one for Flexadin, so check with the manufacturer or retailer.
Starting a supplement and judging whether it suits your dog
Whichever chew you choose, a few habits make the first weeks easier and help you see more clearly how your dog is getting on.
- Introduce it gradually if your dog has a sensitive stomach. Mild digestive upset can happen at the start.
- Do not stack several joint supplements without asking your vet. Doubling up can mean unplanned amounts of some ingredients.
- Tell your vet about every supplement your dog takes, especially if they are on other medication.
Keep a simple mobility diary
Changes tend to be subtle and gradual, which makes them easy to miss from one day to the next. A few lines in a notebook or on your phone can help. Note:
- How easily your dog gets up from rest
- Enthusiasm on walks
- Stiffness first thing in the morning
- How they manage stairs or jumping into the car
Small things, such as being more comfortable on cold mornings, are much easier to spot when you can look back at your notes.
Keeping expectations realistic
Joint supplements offer gentle, ongoing support, so any change tends to be gradual. It usually takes several weeks of daily use before an owner might notice anything, and no timeframe can be promised. If you have noticed no change after 2-3 months, or you feel worried at any point, talk to your vet.
It also helps to keep the evidence in perspective:
- Ingredients have been studied to different degrees, and results for some, including green-lipped mussel, are not entirely consistent. Human studies do not always carry over to dogs.
- Taste acceptance reported by a manufacturer tells you whether dogs eat the chew, not how it affects joints.
- No supplement can be promised to work for every dog. Dogs with advanced joint problems may need much more than a supplement alone, and your vet can advise on that.
- Supplements are for ongoing support. They are not designed for sudden pain or acute problems.
Everyday habits that matter as much as any chew
Your dog's daily routine has a big influence on how comfortable they feel, and it costs nothing.
- Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Extra weight puts extra load on joints.
- Offer regular, gentle, consistent exercise rather than occasional long bursts.
- Provide a supportive bed and non-slip flooring where possible, so getting up and turning round is easier.
When to see a vet
A supplement is not the answer to every sign of discomfort. Use this as a rough guide, and if you are unsure, call your vet.
How quickly to act on mobility signs
Slower, a little stiff
Mild stiffness after rest or less spring on walks. Mention it at your next vet visit and start a mobility diary.
Changes that persist
New difficulty with stairs, jumping or getting up, a change in gait, or falling interest in walks. Book a vet appointment rather than relying on a supplement.
Pain or sudden change
Persistent limping, visible joint swelling, whimpering, panting when not exercising, sudden reluctance to move, or becoming withdrawn or irritable. Call your vet promptly.
If your dog has persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, or seems generally unwell after starting any supplement, stop it and call your vet.
Some joint problems have causes a vet can identify and manage, and in some cases surgery may be an option, particularly in younger dogs. A proper assessment can also tell you whether a supplement is appropriate and what else your dog might need.
The short version
Flexadin Advanced and MedPaw take different routes: a collagen-led, one-a-day chew versus a multi-ingredient chew dosed by weight. Descriptions of Flexadin vary and the sources do not cover everything, so check the current label on the exact product you are considering.
Whichever you choose, patience, consistency and a mobility diary will help you see whether it suits your dog. Your vet leads on diagnosis, pain relief and treatment, with a supplement as one part of the wider picture.
Is Flexadin the same as MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max?
No, they are built on different ideas. The Flexadin Advanced label described in the sources centres on undenatured Type II collagen, whilst MedPaw combines glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata in one soft chew. Both are complementary feeds, so neither is a medicine, and your vet is the best person to ask which suits your dog.
How many chews a day does a 20kg dog need of Flexadin Advanced and MedPaw?
Flexadin Advanced is described as one chew a day whatever your dog's size, so a 20kg dog would have one. MedPaw is dosed by weight, and at 20kg the printed label says 2-3 chews a day, doubled for the first three weeks. Always check the feeding guide on the pack you are holding, as that is the definitive source.
Does Flexadin Advanced contain glucosamine and chondroitin?
The label text we hold does not list glucosamine or chondroitin. The manufacturer says it understands they are well tolerated alongside Flexadin Advanced, but that is not a recommendation to combine products. Because the name Flexadin has been used to describe more than one product, check the ingredient list on the exact pack and ask your vet before giving more than one joint supplement.
Which has the better guarantee, Flexadin or MedPaw?
MedPaw offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available. The sources we hold do not state a guarantee for Flexadin, so we cannot compare them fairly on this point. Check the manufacturer's current information or your retailer for Flexadin's terms.
How long should I give a joint chew before judging whether it suits my dog?
Joint supplements offer gentle, ongoing support, so any change tends to be gradual and no timeframe can be promised. For MedPaw we recommend 2-3 months of daily use, and a simple mobility diary can help you notice small changes. If you see no change after that, or you are worried at any point, speak to your vet.
Can I give my dog Flexadin and MedPaw together?
It is best not to stack joint supplements without asking your vet first. Doubling up can mean unplanned amounts of some ingredients, and your vet knows your dog's weight, health history and any medicines. If your dog seems unwell or has persistent vomiting or diarrhoea after starting a supplement, stop it and call your vet.
