Quick answer: Cosequin DS is a chewable tablet with two joint actives, glucosamine and chondroitin, plus a little manganese. It gives more of those two per day than MedPaw, but it has no MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid or Boswellia, the loading phase lasts 4 to 6 weeks, it has almost no UK reviews, it's getting hard to find, and we couldn't find a money-back guarantee. MedPaw is a soft chew with all six key joint actives, a three-week loading phase and a 60-day guarantee. For most dogs, we'd recommend MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews, especially if your dog is fussy about tablets or you want a broader formula you can order direct.
Transparency note: this page is written by MedPaw, which makes a competing joint supplement. Cosequin's details come from UK retailer listings and Nutramax's published label, because the UK Cosequin website blocked our access. We've said clearly where Cosequin comes out ahead. Everything was checked on 8 October 2026.
MedPaw vs Cosequin at a glance
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews vs Cosequin DS chewable tablets for dogs
| MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews | Cosequin DS | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Soft chicken and bacon flavour chew; whole chews at every weight | Flavoured chewable tablet; half tablets for small dogs on maintenance |
| Glucosamine | 170mg per chew | 500mg glucosamine HCl per tablet |
| Chondroitin | 70mg per chew | 400mg per tablet |
| MSM | 185mg per chew | None listed |
| Green-lipped mussel | 70mg per chew | None listed |
| Hyaluronic acid | Yes (amount not published) | None listed |
| Boswellia | 30mg per chew | None listed |
| Vitamins and minerals | Vitamin C 33mg, vitamin E 24 IU, zinc 3mg | Manganese (3mg on Nutramax's label; UK listings show 5mg to 6.5mg) |
| Loading phase | Double for the first three weeks | 4 to 6 weeks at a higher dose, then reduce no more than once a month |
| Allergens to note | Mollusc (green-lipped mussel), gluten (brewer's yeast) | No allergen statement found; flavourings not named; glucosamine source not stated |
| Pack | 60 chews | 120 tablets (VetUK) |
| Guarantee | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; nothing to send back | None we could find; each retailer's returns policy applies |
| Subscription | Pause, change or cancel any time from your account or by email | No Cosequin subscription in the UK that we could find |
| Where to buy | medpaw.co.uk | Some vets and online retailers such as VetUK; no longer listed on Protexin's UK site |
Cosequin figures from VetUK, Direct-Vet and Nutramax's published label, checked 8 October 2026.
Where Cosequin falls short
Cosequin isn't a product with a pile of bad UK reviews. Its weak points are practical ones.
A narrow formula
Cosequin DS has two of the six key joint actives: glucosamine and chondroitin. It has no MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid or Boswellia, and no omega-3, the nutrient with the strongest evidence for arthritic dogs. A 2022 review of 72 trials (Barbeau-Grégoire et al.) found glucosamine and chondroitin didn't relieve arthritis pain, so a formula built on those two alone is a narrow bet. MedPaw has all six key actives, with the main amounts per chew on the label.
Tablets, and a long loading phase
VetUK's listing says Cosequin "should be used initially for a six week period" before you cut back, and not to reduce the dose more than once a month. The loading dose is 1 tablet a day under 10kg, rising to 3 for 25 to 50kg and 4 over 50kg, then half a tablet a day for small dogs on maintenance (Direct-Vet). MedPaw is a whole soft chew at every weight, doubled for just three weeks.
Hard to find, and hard to judge
Protexin's UK vet range now lists Dasuquin but not Cosequin for dogs, and zooplus and PDSA Pet Store don't stock it. VetUK's listing has no reviews, and we found only two UK reviews in total. Some sellers import US versions with different formulas, so what you get depends on where you buy. Read the full picture in our Cosequin reviews.
No money-back guarantee we could find
If Cosequin doesn't suit your dog, you're relying on each retailer's returns policy. MedPaw gives you 60 days from delivery to judge it, for any reason, and you don't need to send anything back.
Why Cosequin customers switch to MedPaw
Cosequin vs MedPaw on the issues that matter day to day
| The issue | Cosequin DS | MedPaw |
|---|---|---|
| Breadth of formula | Glucosamine, chondroitin, manganese | All six key joint actives, plus vitamins C and E and zinc |
| Giving it every day | Chewable tablet, split in half for small dogs on maintenance | Soft chew given from your hand like a treat; whole chews only |
| Time on the higher dose | 4 to 6 weeks | Three weeks |
| Trying it without risk | No guarantee we could find | 60-day money-back guarantee, nothing to send back |
| Buying it | Patchy UK stock; several versions | One product, ordered direct, with a subscription you can pause or cancel any time |
Our recommendation: if you're tired of tablets, want more than glucosamine and chondroitin, or can't find Cosequin when you need it, choose MedPaw. Give it six to eight weeks, and if you're not happy, email bark@medpaw.co.uk within 60 days of delivery for a refund. Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews.
When Cosequin might suit your dog instead
To be fair to Cosequin, it can be the better choice in some cases:
- You want the most glucosamine and chondroitin per day. At 30kg, 1 to 2 Cosequin DS tablets on maintenance give 500 to 1,000mg glucosamine and 400 to 800mg chondroitin, against 340 to 510mg and 140 to 210mg from 2 to 3 MedPaw chews.
- Your dog can't have mollusc or gluten. MedPaw contains green-lipped mussel and brewer's yeast. Cosequin DS doesn't list either, though it doesn't say where its glucosamine comes from or name its flavourings, so check with your vet.
- Your dog already takes it happily and is doing well. If it's working and you can still buy it, there's no need to change.
Switching from Cosequin to MedPaw
Swap rather than stack. Stop Cosequin and start MedPaw the next day, with no gap. Don't give both: they share glucosamine and chondroitin, and giving two joint supplements together means doubling up on some ingredients. Follow the feeding guide on the tub, doubling the usual number of chews for the first three 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 Cosequin: what's in Cosequin, why Cosequin might not be working, Cosequin side effects, our Cosequin vs Dasuquin guide and YuMOVE vs Cosequin.
Is MedPaw better than Cosequin?
For most dogs, we think so. MedPaw is a soft chew with all six key joint actives, whole chews at every weight, a three-week loading phase and a 60-day money-back guarantee. Cosequin DS gives more glucosamine and chondroitin per day, but has only those two key actives, a 4 to 6 week loading phase and no guarantee we could find.
What's the main difference between MedPaw and Cosequin?
The formula and the format. Cosequin DS is a chewable tablet with glucosamine, chondroitin and manganese. MedPaw is a soft chew with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia, plus vitamins C and E and zinc.
Does Cosequin have a money-back guarantee in the UK?
We couldn't find one. Cosequin is sold through vets and retailers, so returns depend on where you bought it. MedPaw has a 60-day money-back guarantee from delivery, for any reason, with nothing to send back.
Can I give MedPaw and Cosequin together?
We don't recommend it. Both contain glucosamine and chondroitin, so swap rather than stack. Stop Cosequin and start MedPaw the next day.
Is MedPaw suitable if my dog has a shellfish allergy?
No. MedPaw contains green-lipped mussel, a mollusc, and gluten from brewer's yeast. If your dog has a shellfish or gluten allergy, speak to your vet about which supplement to use.
Can I switch from Cosequin to MedPaw straight away?
Yes. Stop Cosequin and start MedPaw the next day. There's no need for a gap, and you shouldn't give both. Check with your vet first if your dog takes any medication.
