Quick answer: for long walks, hillwalking and walking holidays, preparation protects your dog's joints far more than any supplement: build their walking distance up in the weeks before, choose routes that suit their age and fitness, take it steady on descents and plan easier days between big ones. If your dog is older, a larger breed or a bit stiff after long days, a daily joint supplement is a sensible addition, ideally started several weeks before the trip because they take time. Our recommendation: MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews, a soft chew with all six key joint actives that's easy to pack.
Transparency note: this page is written by MedPaw, which makes a joint supplement. Sources are linked so you can check them. Checked 9 October 2026.
What long walks and hills ask of a dog's joints
A walking holiday is a very different load from the daily walk round the park. Your dog may cover two or three times the usual distance, day after day, often on rough, wet or rocky ground, with long climbs and longer descents. Dogs off the lead can cover far more ground than you do. Long descents are hard work for the legs, and on back-to-back days the joints get less time to recover.
A young, fit dog usually copes well with that if they've been built up to it. The dogs that struggle tend to be older dogs, larger breeds, dogs carrying extra weight, and dogs with arthritis, old injuries or hip or elbow dysplasia. For them, the "day after" matters as much as the walk.
The PDSA's exercise advice covers hiking specifically: check the route suits your dog and that they're fit enough for it, know how long it will take, avoid steep or difficult scrambles, bring water and snacks and plan regular breaks. It also says dogs with arthritis should avoid steep slopes, which put extra pressure on the joints.
When to stop and see a vet
- A limp that lasts more than a day or two, or a dog that won't put weight on a leg
- Stiffness that's getting worse each morning of the holiday
- Cut, cracked or worn pads, a torn nail or constant licking at a foot
- Lagging behind, lying down on the walk or reluctance to set off when they normally love it
- Heavy panting that doesn't settle, wobbling, collapse or vomiting, which can be heatstroke and is an emergency
Heat doesn't need a heatwave: a Royal Veterinary College VetCompass study found exercise was the trigger in 74% of heatstroke cases in UK dogs. Never give human painkillers; see what you can safely give a dog for joint pain. Supplements are not painkillers. Before a big trip with an older dog, a quick vet check is worth it, and your vet can advise whether to take pain relief with you.
How to get your dog ready for long walks and hills
- Train for it. Build up your dog's longest walk over several weeks before a holiday, with some hills, rather than going from park walks to a 15km ridge on day one. See can I overexercise my dog?
- Plan the week, not just the day. Alternate big days with shorter, flatter ones, and keep the dog on the lead on long descents so they don't run down at full pelt.
- Look after paws. Check pads every evening. Rocky, icy or salted paths are hard on feet; dog boots can help some dogs.
- Keep them lean. Every extra kilo is carried up every hill.
- Rest well. A warm, padded bed away from draughts helps stiff joints after a long day. See cold weather and dog joints.
- Know when to leave them behind. An older or arthritic dog may enjoy a shorter loop and an afternoon snooze more than a summit. See exercising older dogs safely.
What to look for in a supplement for walking dogs
Joint supplements don't work overnight, so starting one the day before a holiday won't do much. If you want one, start six to eight weeks ahead and keep it going. Here's what the evidence says about the common actives:
Common supplement actives, graded by the evidence
| Active | What the evidence says | In MedPaw? |
|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 (EPA and DHA, usually fish oil) | The strongest evidence for comfort in dogs with arthritis in the 2022 review of 72 trials (Barbeau-Grégoire et al.) | Not as a fish oil. Green-lipped mussel is a natural source, but MedPaw doesn't replace a fish oil your vet recommends |
| Green-lipped mussel | Some small positive studies; weaker overall than omega-3 | Yes, 70mg per chew |
| Glucosamine and chondroitin | Widely used for cartilage support, but did not relieve pain in that 2022 review | Yes, 170mg and 70mg per chew |
| MSM, Boswellia, hyaluronic acid | Few, small studies in dogs; evidence is limited | Yes: MSM 185mg, Boswellia 30mg, plus hyaluronic acid |
For travelling, a format that needs no fridge, no mixing and no pill-wrestling in a tent or holiday cottage makes life easier. Pack enough for the whole trip.
How MedPaw fits
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews: the facts
| MedPaw | |
|---|---|
| Format | Soft chicken and bacon flavour chew, given like a treat |
| Joint actives per chew | All six key joint actives: MSM 185mg, glucosamine 170mg, chondroitin 70mg, green-lipped mussel 70mg, Boswellia serrata 30mg, plus hyaluronic acid |
| Also per chew | Vitamin C 33mg, vitamin E 24 IU, zinc 3mg |
| How much | By your dog's weight, doubled for the first three weeks (see the feeding guide) |
| Guarantee | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; email bark@medpaw.co.uk, nothing to send back |
| Allergens | Contains mollusc (green-lipped mussel) and gluten (brewer's yeast); not suitable for dogs with a shellfish allergy |
| What it isn't | A medicine or painkiller. It's a complementary feed that supports joint health |
Our recommendation: if your dog is middle-aged or older, a larger breed, or tends to be stiff after long days out, start MedPaw six to eight weeks before your walking holiday and keep giving it daily alongside a sensible build-up. A soft chew from your pocket at the end of the day is easy to stick to on the road. If you're not happy, email us within 60 days for a refund. If your dog has a diagnosed condition or takes medication, check with your vet first. Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews.
Run with your dog rather than walk? See our joint supplement guide for running and canicross dogs. For older dogs generally, read the best joint supplements for senior dogs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best joint supplement for a dog that goes hiking?
A young, fit dog doesn't need one to enjoy long walks. For an older or larger dog, or one that's stiff after long days, look for a broad set of joint actives in a format that's easy to give on the road. We'd recommend MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews, a soft chew with all six key joint actives and a 60-day money-back guarantee. Ask your vet about omega-3 too.
How far can my dog hike?
It depends on age, breed, fitness and terrain. Build up gradually over several weeks, plan rest stops and easier days, and turn back if your dog lags behind, lies down or starts limping. Your vet can advise for an older dog or one with a joint condition.
When should I start a joint supplement before a walking holiday?
Six to eight weeks before is a good guide, because joint supplements take weeks to build up. Starting a day or two before won't make much difference.
Is hillwalking bad for an older dog's joints?
Steep climbs and long descents load the joints more than flat walking, and the PDSA advises dogs with arthritis to avoid steep slopes. Many older dogs still enjoy shorter, gentler routes. Ask your vet before a big trip.
My dog is stiff the morning after a long walk. What should I do?
Give them a quieter day with short, gentle walks. Mild stiffness after an unusually long day can happen, but if it lasts more than a day or two, keeps happening or comes with a limp, see your vet rather than relying on a supplement.
Can I give my dog painkillers on holiday?
Only medicines your vet has prescribed for your dog. Human painkillers can be dangerous for dogs. If your dog has arthritis, ask your vet before you go whether to take pain relief with you.
