Quick answer: the most common complaints in Marleybones' negative reviews are about its meal subscription: monthly costs far higher than expected after the starter box, too much food arriving, and orders going out before customers could change them. For its Joint Health Supplement chews specifically, there's almost no evidence at all: we found no review describing whether they helped a dog's mobility, and one owner said their dog didn't like them. The chews also have no chondroitin or Boswellia, the feeding guide stops at 40kg, and there's no money-back guarantee. Marleybones' 4.8 Trustpilot rating is almost entirely about its dog food, not its joint chews. If any of that puts you off, we'd recommend trying MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews instead: a soft chew dogs take like a treat, with all six key joint actives and the main amounts per chew on the label, a subscription you can pause or cancel any time, and a 60-day money-back guarantee with nothing to send back.
Transparency note: this page is written by MedPaw, which makes a competing joint supplement. Reviews are quoted word for word or summarised in our own words, with links so you can check them. Ratings and terms were checked on 8 October 2026.
The most common Marleybones complaints and drawbacks
Marleybones is best known for its Pantry Fresh cooked dog meals sold by subscription; its gut, dental and joint chews are a small add-on. We read around 120 recent reviews on Trustpilot, including searches for "joint", "supplement" and "chew". We found 10 reviews at 1 to 3 stars, and none of them were about the joint chews. Frequencies are our estimates from that sample.
Marleybones complaints and drawbacks (our sample and the product page)
| Complaint | How often | What reviewers said or what we found |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of the meal plan | About 7 in 10 negative reviews | Monthly quotes far higher than expected after the starter box, or a trial box that ran out quickly |
| Subscription timing and cancelling | About 4 in 10 negative reviews | More food delivered than needed, orders sent before they could be changed, a long cancellation process |
| Food quality | About 3 in 10 negative reviews | Food that seemed less fresh than expected, gritty or bland |
| No evidence the joint chews work | Applies to every buyer | No review we read described a change in mobility, good or bad |
| Dog didn't like the joint chews | One mention | An elderly dog that did well on the food but didn't take to the joint treats |
| Missing actives | Applies to every buyer | No chondroitin or Boswellia; no vitamins C or E or zinc listed |
"Essentially tinned wet dog food"
Most of the negative reviews are about the meals rather than the supplements. One 1 star reviewer wrote: "This is essentially tinned wet dog food packaged in a Tetra Pak-style carton." (Tristan P., 1 star, August 2026). Others described monthly plans for two dogs costing well over £100, and a 3 star reviewer said the product was excellent but too much food arrived before the last delivery was used. If you buy the joint chews alongside a meal subscription, Marleybones' terms say orders past the cut-off date are still charged and delivered.
What the joint chews leave out
- No chondroitin. Marleybones uses "phytodroitin", which it describes as a sustainable alternative to chondroitin, at 1% of the chew (Marleybones product page).
- No Boswellia, and no vitamin C, vitamin E or zinc listed.
- Percentages only on the brand's page. Marleybones lists percentages rather than amounts per chew; Ocado's listing gives them per 3g chew, including 330mg glucosamine, 240mg MSM, 60mg green-lipped mussel and 6mg hyaluronic acid.
- No guide over 40kg. The feeding guide is one chew a day under 10kg, two for 10 to 25kg and three for 25 to 40kg, with nothing for bigger dogs.
- Small packs. 30 chews means a large dog on three a day gets through a pack in 10 days.
- Allergens. The glucosamine comes from shellfish and the chew contains green-lipped mussel, even though Ocado tags it as vegetarian.
The guarantee catch
Marleybones doesn't offer a money-back guarantee. Its refund policy only covers items that are unused and in their original packaging, requested within 14 days of receiving them. You must email first, items sent back without a request aren't accepted, and you pay the return postage. So if your dog won't eat an opened pack, or you see no difference after a few weeks, you can't get your money back.
Why Marleybones customers switch to MedPaw
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews differ from Marleybones on exactly the points above.
Marleybones vs MedPaw on the things that matter to owners
| The complaint | Marleybones | MedPaw |
|---|---|---|
| Getting your money back | No guarantee; unused items only, within 14 days, return postage at your cost | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; email us and keep the tub |
| Knowing what's in it | No chondroitin or Boswellia; percentages only on the brand's page | All six key joint actives, with the main amounts per chew on the label: MSM 185mg, glucosamine 170mg, chondroitin 70mg, green-lipped mussel 70mg, Boswellia 30mg, plus hyaluronic acid |
| Subscription changes | Orders past the cut-off are still charged and delivered | Pause, change or cancel any time from your account, or just email us |
| Big dogs | Feeding guide stops at 40kg | 2 to 3 chews a day for any dog 18kg and over |
| Pack size | 30 chews | 60 chews per tub |
Our recommendation: if you want a joint chew with chondroitin and Boswellia, a guarantee that covers an opened pack, or a clear dose for a dog over 40kg, switch to MedPaw. Swap rather than stack: stop Marleybones and start MedPaw the next day. Give it six to eight weeks, and if you're not happy, email us within 60 days and we'll refund you. Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews.
Marleybones' rating, in context
Marleybones is rated 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot from over 1,200 reviews, with 92% at 5 stars (checked 8 October 2026; the review count varied between Trustpilot pages). But that rating is for the whole brand, and in the reviews we read the vast majority were about the meals: fussy dogs eating, easy storage and delivery. Only about half a dozen mentioned a joint supplement at all, and none described whether it helped. Trustpilot also notes that Marleybones "hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative". The joint chew itself has one 5 star rating each on Ocado and Waitrose, with no written review, and no reviews at Burford. A high score for dog food doesn't tell you whether the joint chews will help your dog.
To be fair to Marleybones, its customer service is often praised, and per chew its joint chew lists more glucosamine and MSM than MedPaw.
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.
Our verdict
Marleybones' reviews show a well-liked food brand whose unhappy customers complain about meal plan costs and subscription timing. Its joint chews have almost no reviews of their own, leave out chondroitin and Boswellia, stop at 40kg and come with no money-back guarantee. If you want a dedicated joint chew you can judge with a guarantee behind it, MedPaw is the alternative we'd recommend. For more, compare the best joint chews for dogs in the UK, read about glucosamine and chondroitin, or see how long joint supplements take to work.
What are the most common complaints about Marleybones?
In the negative Trustpilot reviews we read, the most common complaints were about the cost of the meal plan, subscription timing (too much food, orders sent before they could be changed) and food quality. None were about the joint chews, which have almost no reviews; one owner mentioned their dog didn't like them.
Is Marleybones any good?
Marleybones has a 4.8 Trustpilot rating, but almost all of its reviews are about its dog meals, not its joint chews. The joint chew has no chondroitin or Boswellia and no money-back guarantee. If you want a soft chew with all six key joint actives and a 60-day money-back guarantee, MedPaw is the alternative we'd recommend.
What's in Marleybones joint chews?
Per 3g chew, Ocado lists 330mg glucosamine (from shellfish), 240mg MSM, 90mg turmeric, 60mg green-lipped mussel, 30mg phytodroitin and 6mg hyaluronic acid, plus small amounts of rosehip, celery seed and black pepper. There's no chondroitin or Boswellia.
Can I get a refund from Marleybones?
Only for unused items in their original packaging, requested within 14 days of receipt, and you pay the return postage. Marleybones doesn't offer a money-back guarantee. MedPaw's guarantee lasts 60 days and you don't need to send anything back.
What's the best alternative to Marleybones joint chews?
If you want chondroitin and Boswellia alongside glucosamine, MSM, green-lipped mussel and hyaluronic acid, a clear dose for bigger dogs and a money-back guarantee, we'd recommend MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews. Swap rather than stack, and give it six to eight weeks.
Can I switch from Marleybones to MedPaw straight away?
Yes. Stop the Marleybones joint chews and start MedPaw the next day. There's no need for a gap, and you shouldn't give both. You can keep feeding Marleybones meals if your dog enjoys them. Check with your vet first if your dog takes any medication.
