Quick answer: Antinol and MedPaw take very different approaches. Antinol Joint Care Pro is a small softgel capsule with one active ingredient, 50mg of PCSO-524 green-lipped mussel oil extract, which gives just 20mg of omega-3 per capsule. It has no glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM or Boswellia. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews is a soft chew with all six key joint actives, including green-lipped mussel, and the main amounts per chew on the label. If your dog won't take capsules, Antinol hasn't made a difference, or you want a broader formula and a guarantee that isn't limited to a starter pack, we'd recommend MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews.
Transparency note: this page is written by MedPaw, which makes a competing joint supplement. Every figure below comes from each brand's own published label and terms, checked on 8 October 2026, and reviews are quoted word for word from Antinol's Trustpilot page. We haven't compared prices, so check both brands' current prices before you buy.
Where Antinol falls short
One ingredient, and very little omega-3
Antinol is built entirely on PCSO-524, a lipid (oil) extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel, in olive oil with vitamin E. It isn't a glucosamine product at all. Antinol states each capsule gives 20mg of omega-3, including 10mg of EPA and 5mg of DHA, so a 25kg dog on two capsules a day gets 30mg of EPA and DHA. In a 2016 trial of 74 arthritic dogs, dogs were given fish oil at 69mg per kg a day, about 1,700mg for a 25kg dog. Antinol says its effect comes from the wider mix of fatty acids in PCSO-524 rather than the amount of EPA and DHA, and a 2015 Thai study of 66 dogs found better lameness scores on PCSO-524 than on fish oil.
Capsules don't suit every dog
The capsule is small, but it's still a capsule, and it's made from beef gelatin. Owners who struggle can pierce it and squeeze the oil onto food. Refusals come up in Antinol's reviews, mostly with cats but sometimes with dogs: "My dog would not take them given suggested other ways of giving her them" (Jean S., 4 stars, September 2024).
A narrower guarantee
Antinol's 60-day trial covers Starter Packs for new customers. You give it for 60 days as directed, including the double dose, then ask for a refund within 90 days of buying. The page doesn't say whether you need to send anything back. So it's aimed at first-time buyers of a Starter Pack, not every order.
"No difference" is its most common complaint
Antinol's reviews are mostly positive, but the complaint that comes up most is seeing no change: "sorry to say I saw no difference in her, now back on her regular supplements." (Avril G., 3 stars, October 2024). For the full picture, read our Antinol reviews and complaints page.
MedPaw vs Antinol at a glance
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews vs Antinol Joint Care Pro for Dogs
| MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews | Antinol Joint Care Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Soft chicken and bacon flavour chew, given like a treat | Softgel capsule (beef gelatin); can be pierced and squeezed onto food |
| Green-lipped mussel | 70mg per chew | 50mg PCSO-524 (mussel oil extract) per capsule |
| Omega-3 | Not published | 20mg per capsule, including 10mg EPA and 5mg DHA |
| Glucosamine | 170mg per chew | None |
| Chondroitin | 70mg per chew | None |
| MSM | 185mg per chew | None |
| Boswellia | 30mg per chew | None |
| Hyaluronic acid | Yes (amount not published) | None |
| Vitamins and minerals | Vitamin C 33mg, vitamin E 24 IU, zinc 3mg | Vitamin E (amount not published) |
| Loading phase | Double for the first three weeks | Double for the first 15 days |
| Allergens to note | Mollusc, gluten (brewer's yeast) | Shellfish (green-lipped mussel), beef gelatin |
| Pack size | 60 chews | 60, 90, 180, 360 or 720 capsules |
| Guarantee | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; email us and keep the tub | 60-day trial on Starter Packs for new customers; claim within 90 days of buying |
| Subscription | Pause, change or cancel any time from your account or by email | 5% off; pause, change or cancel any time online; no fees or contract |
| Where to buy | medpaw.co.uk | antinol.co.uk and UK pet retailers such as VetUK and PDSA Pet Store |
Sources: Antinol product page, Antinol 60-day trial and Antinol Subscribe and Save.
Why Antinol customers switch to MedPaw
Antinol vs MedPaw on the things owners care about
| The issue | Antinol | MedPaw |
|---|---|---|
| What's in it | Green-lipped mussel oil only | All six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia |
| Giving it | Softgel capsule, or pierce and squeeze | Soft chew, given from your hand like a treat |
| Getting your money back | Starter Packs for new customers only | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; nothing to send back |
To be straight with you: neither product is a high-dose omega-3, and a large 2022 review of 72 trials found glucosamine and chondroitin didn't relieve arthritis pain in dogs. MedPaw's case is a broader formula in a format dogs take easily, backed by a guarantee that lets you judge it on your own dog.
Our recommendation: if Antinol hasn't made a difference, your dog won't take capsules, or you want more than one active with the main amounts on the label, switch to MedPaw. 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.
When Antinol might suit your dog instead
- Your dog takes capsules happily and is already doing well on Antinol. If it's working, there's no reason to change.
- Your dog needs to avoid gluten. MedPaw contains brewer's yeast; Antinol's published ingredients don't include a gluten source.
- You'd prefer fewer doses: dogs under 20kg have one Antinol capsule a day after the loading phase.
Neither suits a dog with a shellfish allergy, as both contain green-lipped mussel.
Switching from Antinol to MedPaw
Swap rather than stack. Antinol itself advises against giving other omega-3 or marine oils at the same time, and MedPaw also contains green-lipped mussel. Stop Antinol and start MedPaw the next day, doubling the usual amount for the first three weeks. Keep a weekly note of how your dog gets up, walks and manages stairs, and judge it after six to eight weeks. If your dog takes any medication, check with your vet first.
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.
More on Antinol: Antinol ingredients explained, Antinol not working? and Antinol vs YuMOVE.
Is MedPaw better than Antinol?
They're different products. Antinol is a green-lipped mussel oil capsule with a low omega-3 content. MedPaw is a soft chew with all six key joint actives and the main amounts per chew on the label. If Antinol hasn't worked or your dog won't take capsules, we'd recommend MedPaw.
Does Antinol contain glucosamine?
No. Antinol Joint Care Pro contains 50mg of PCSO-524 green-lipped mussel oil extract per capsule, in olive oil with vitamin E. It has no glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, Boswellia or hyaluronic acid.
Do both contain green-lipped mussel?
Yes. Antinol uses an oil extract of green-lipped mussel; MedPaw uses 70mg of green-lipped mussel per chew alongside five other actives. Neither suits a dog with a shellfish allergy.
Which has the better guarantee?
Antinol's 60-day trial covers Starter Packs for new customers, with a refund claim within 90 days of buying. MedPaw's guarantee is 60 days from delivery, for any reason, and you don't need to send anything back.
Can I give Antinol and MedPaw together?
We'd advise against it. Antinol says not to give other omega-3 or marine oils at the same time, and both contain green-lipped mussel. Swap rather than stack.
Can I switch from Antinol to MedPaw straight away?
Yes. Stop Antinol and start MedPaw the next day. There's no need for a gap. Check with your vet first if your dog takes any medication.
