You have been giving your dog Nutraquin+ for a while now, and you cannot see any difference. Perhaps they still hesitate at the stairs, or take a moment to get up from their bed. It is natural to start wondering whether the supplement is doing anything at all.
Before you decide, it helps to check a few practical things. Dose, timing, how the capsule is given and what you expect from a supplement all shape how a trial feels. We will walk through them calmly, so you can tell whether your dog has had a fair trial and when it is time to go back to your vet.
A joint supplement is a complementary feed. It supports joint health alongside veterinary care, and it is not a painkiller or a treatment. Keeping that in mind makes the rest much easier to judge.
Nutraquin+ not working? How the actives compare
If your dog has had a fair trial of Nutraquin+ and you are still unsure, it can help to look at exactly what the formula lists. Below is a comparison of Nutraquin+ with MedPaw, our own product, and a few other UK options.
The first row scores each product on six key joint actives, so you can see at a glance what each one contains and what it does not.
UK dog joint supplements compared, ingredient by ingredient
| Ingredient | MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max | Nutraquin+ | NutraPaw Joint Support | YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max | Seraquin Joint | Synoquin EFA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key joint actives | 6 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 (+1 via mussel) | 2 of 6 | 2 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 | Vit C, zinc | Manganese | Vit C, Vit E, manganese | ✗ | Vit C, zinc |
| Format | Soft chew | Capsule | Tablet | Tablet | Chewable tablet | Tablet or capsule |
| Guarantee | 60 days | Not stated | 90 days | 6 weeks | 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.
The table shows Nutraquin+ listing three of the six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia. It does not list MSM, green-lipped mussel or hyaluronic acid. It is also a capsule, so the contents have to be opened and mixed into food.
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is the only product in the table with all six: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia. That gives a broader range of joint-supporting ingredients, plus omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, in one daily soft chew. Many dogs find a chew easier than sprinkled powder.
If you decide to try MedPaw, the 60-day money-back guarantee gives you time to complete the recommended 2-3 months of daily use, and Subscribe & Save is available. It supports joints and comfort alongside veterinary care, so keep your vet involved if your dog is still struggling.
See MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max Read the full ingredient list and feeding guide to see how a soft chew with all six key actives could fit your dog's day.
What Nutraquin+ is and what it contains
Nutraquin+ is a capsule. Going by the manufacturer's published information, it lists glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia, plus vitamin C and zinc.
It does not list MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, omega-3, turmeric or collagen. No guarantee is stated in the information available to us.
The manufacturer describes these as "sprinkle capsules". You open the capsule and scatter or mix the contents into your dog's food. That detail matters later, because it leaves a few extra places where things can go slightly wrong.
What the manufacturer says about timing
These are the manufacturer's own statements, not promises about any individual dog. Nutraquin+ is described as quick to get going, but the company also says how soon you notice anything is an average. It depends on the individual dog, the level of stiffness and the underlying health issue.
The manufacturer recommends a loading dose period of 6 weeks and says any noticeable changes should have started by then.
So if you are only a few days in and nothing has changed, it is simply too early to judge, even by the manufacturer's own guidance. If you have given the full dose consistently for 6 weeks and still see no difference, that is a sensible moment to talk to your vet.
Common reasons it may feel like it is not working
None of these are diagnoses. They are simply things worth checking before you draw a conclusion.
The full dose was not given
The manufacturer says the best results come from giving the full dose, as advised by your vet or according to your dog's weight. It is tempting to give a little less to make a pack last longer, but that makes a fair trial harder.
Check the pack guidance against your dog's current weight, because it may have changed since you started. If you are unsure, ask your vet.
The loading period was cut short
The manufacturer stresses keeping up the loading dose. If you dropped to a lower amount after a week or two because your dog seemed brighter, you may not have completed the recommended 6 weeks.
The capsule contents are not actually being eaten
A fussy dog can notice sprinkled powder. Some dogs eat around it, leave part of the meal, or lick the topping off and walk away. If the food is not finished, the full dose has not been taken.
The manufacturer suggests sprinkling the contents onto a favourite treat or into something smelly, such as tuna or mackerel. Give all the capsules together, with food, at the same time each day. Watch the bowl for a few days to check that everything goes in.
Daily use has been patchy
Missed days make any change harder to spot. Giving it at the same meal each day, with a calendar tick or a phone reminder, keeps things simple.
The expectation does not match what a supplement does
This is the most important one. A joint supplement offers nutritional support. It does not work like prescribed pain relief, so a sudden, dramatic shift is not something to expect.
If there is a change, it is often gradual and subtle. Your dog might get up a little more easily, or be keener to tackle the stairs or jump into the car. Those small things are easy to miss unless you are looking for them.
A quick fair-trial check
| What to check | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Dose against current weight | Weight may have changed since you started | Re-read the pack guidance or ask your vet |
| Whole portion eaten | Leftover food means a partial dose | Use a favourite treat or a smelly food |
| Same time, every day | Consistency makes any change easier to judge | Tie it to one meal and set a reminder |
| Full 6-week loading period | The manufacturer's recommended trial length | Keep the full dose going before deciding |
For guidance only, not a diagnosis.
When the cause may be something else
Slowing down is not always "just age" or "just the joints". Stiffness, reluctance to jump and difficulty on stairs can have several causes, and only a vet can tell them apart.
The manufacturer itself advises speaking to your vet if your dog is slowing down or struggling to jump on furniture or climb stairs. So if a supplement seems to make no difference, the real answer may be that the underlying problem needs its own assessment. That is not a failure on your part. It is useful information.
Your vet can examine your dog, advise on pain relief and other options, and check for other causes. Tell them which supplement you are giving and at what dose. Do ask before adding or changing any supplement alongside prescribed medicines.
Joint supplements are not only for older dogs
It is easy to assume joint support is only for seniors. In fact, some owners of younger dogs choose to include it as part of looking after joints as their dog grows. A healthy weight and sensible exercise are good habits for joint comfort at any age.
That said, a supplement cannot promise any particular outcome. It is one part of caring for a dog's mobility, alongside the basics and your vet's advice.
What the manufacturer says about quality
For context, the manufacturer makes several claims about its own products. These are the company's statements, not something we have verified:
- Assurances about label accuracy and purity.
- Ingredients described as pharmaceutical grade, tested at both raw material and final product stages.
- Manufacture to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards.
- Ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients.
These are good to know about, but they do not tell you whether a product will suit your individual dog. Dose, consistency and the cause of the stiffness usually matter more.
A practical checklist for owners
- Check the dose against your dog's current weight.
- Confirm the full dose is eaten. Use a favourite treat or something smelly like tuna or mackerel if your dog is fussy.
- Give all the capsules together, with food, at the same time each day.
- Complete the 6-week loading period at the recommended dose before judging.
- Keep simple notes. Record how easily your dog gets up, how they manage stairs or jumping into the car, and how willing they are to walk. Add dates, and compare week 0 with week 6.
- Take short videos of your dog walking and getting up. They help your vet as well.
- Support the basics. Keep your dog at a healthy weight, offer regular gentle exercise, and provide non-slip flooring and a supportive bed.
- Book a vet check if there is no change after the full trial, or sooner if any of the signs below appear.
When to see a vet
Please do not wait out a 6-week trial if your dog shows signs of pain or a sudden change. Use this as a rough guide.
How quickly to call your vet
Mild, steady stiffness
Your dog is slower on stairs or after rest but is eating, playing and comfortable. Keep your notes and mention it at their next check-up.
Getting worse, or no change after a full trial
Stiffness is gradually increasing, or your dog struggles to rise, climb stairs or get into the car. Book a vet appointment.
Sudden or severe signs
Sudden lameness, refusing to put weight on a leg, yelping, hot or swollen joints, hiding, loss of appetite, loss of balance or weak back legs. Contact your vet promptly.
Please also speak to your vet if your dog has any other illness or is already on veterinary medication, or if you notice trouble toileting or a marked change in behaviour, such as aggression or restlessness at night.
If you would like to try a different format
If you have followed the guidance carefully and want a different format or ingredient combination, MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is one option to talk through with your vet. Here is how the two compare, factually.
- What they share: both list glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellia, vitamin C and zinc.
- Format: MedPaw is a daily soft chew, while Nutraquin+ is a capsule you open and sprinkle. Some owners find a chew easier for a fussy dog.
- Additional listed ingredients: MedPaw also lists MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and omega-3 (from green-lipped mussel and flax seed), plus vitamin E. Nutraquin+ does not list these. MedPaw is made with rapeseed oil and glycerine.
- Guarantee: MedPaw has a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available. No guarantee is stated for Nutraquin+.
- Feeding: MedPaw is 1 chew a day up to 4kg, 2 for 5-17kg, and 2-3 for 18kg and over, doubled for the first three weeks. Daily use for 2-3 months is recommended.
Neither product is a treatment, and neither replaces a vet's assessment. Switching products may not make a difference if the real issue is dose, consistency or an underlying problem that needs examining.
A fair trial, then a conversation with your vet
A supplement is easiest to judge when you give it properly. That means the full dose, eaten every day, for the full recommended period, with notes to compare against. If you have done all of that and still see no change, you have learned something useful.
The next step is a chat with your vet. Take your notes and videos, and tell them exactly what you have been giving. Whatever the cause turns out to be, the aim is the same: a comfortable, mobile dog who enjoys their walks.
How long should I give Nutraquin+ before deciding it is not working?
The manufacturer recommends a loading dose period of 6 weeks and says any noticeable changes should have started by then. How soon you notice anything varies with the individual dog and the level of stiffness. If you have given the full dose every day for 6 weeks with no change, it is a sensible time to talk to your vet.
Could my dog be missing part of the dose without me realising?
Yes, it can happen with sprinkle capsules. Fussy dogs sometimes eat around the powder or leave part of the meal, which means the full dose has not been taken. The manufacturer suggests sprinkling the contents onto a favourite treat or something smelly like tuna or mackerel, and watching the bowl for a few days to check it all goes in.
Does Nutraquin+ contain the same ingredients as MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max?
They share glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellia, vitamin C and zinc. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max also lists MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, omega-3 (from green-lipped mussel and flax seed) and vitamin E, which Nutraquin+ does not list. Nutraquin+ is a capsule you open and sprinkle, whereas MedPaw is a daily soft chew.
How many MedPaw chews would a 20kg dog have each day?
For dogs of 18kg and over the label says 2-3 chews a day, doubled for the first three weeks. A 60-chew tub would therefore last roughly 10 to 15 days during the first three weeks and 20 to 30 days afterwards, depending on whether you give 2 or 3. The label recommends 2-3 months of daily use for best results.
Is it worth switching supplement if my dog seems no better?
Switching may not make a difference if the real issue is dose, consistency or an underlying problem that needs examining. Stiffness and reluctance to jump can have several causes, and only a vet can tell them apart. Book a check first, take your notes and videos, and talk through any change of supplement with them, especially if your dog is on medication.
When should I see a vet rather than wait out the trial?
Please do not wait if you see sudden lameness, refusal to put weight on a leg, yelping, hot or swollen joints, hiding, loss of appetite or weak back legs. Contact your vet promptly for any of these. A joint supplement is a complementary feed and does not replace veterinary assessment or treatment.
