Quick answer: the main drawbacks with Nutraquin are practical. It's a capsule rather than a treat, there's a six-week loading phase at double the dose, some weights need half capsules, it contains squid, we couldn't find a money-back guarantee, and it was out of stock on Nutravet's own shop when we checked. Independent reviews are scarce too: Nutravet scores 3.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot from just 21 reviews across its whole range, so there's little to judge Nutraquin on. If any of that puts you off, we'd recommend trying MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews instead: a soft chew dogs take like a treat, all six key joint actives with the main amounts on the label, whole chews at every weight, a three-week loading phase, 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 with links so you can check them. Ratings and quotes were checked on 8 October 2026.
The most common Nutraquin complaints and drawbacks
We read all 21 Nutravet reviews on Trustpilot, the readable reviews on Nutravet's own page and two older owner forum posts. Only four Trustpilot reviews mention joint products, and all four are positive. So the table below combines the complaints about Nutravet and its capsule format with the practical drawbacks of Nutraquin itself.
Nutraquin complaints and drawbacks (our sample and Nutravet's own guidance)
| Complaint | How often | What reviewers said |
|---|---|---|
| Hard to get hold of | A forum owner, plus Nutravet's own shop | Mainly sold through vets, and out of stock on Nutravet's shop on 8 October 2026 |
| Very few independent reviews | 4 of 21 Trustpilot reviews mention joint products | Most praise comes from Nutravet's own site and vet testimonials; we found no reviews at VetUK, Viovet, Animed or zooplus |
| Pets refusing the sprinkle capsules | One recent 1 star review | Cats wouldn't eat a calming sprinkle capsule, even hidden in treats; Nutraquin uses the same format |
| Long loading phase and half capsules | Built into the feeding guide | Double the dose for six weeks, then half capsules for small dogs and for dogs of 25 to 50kg |
| Upset stomach | 5 of the 7 Trustpilot reviews at 1 or 2 stars, none about Nutraquin | Diarrhoea, vomiting or drooling, mostly after Nutravet's calming products |
| Customer service | A few reviews | A missing parcel that went unanswered, and a company that felt unhelpful when a pet reacted |
| Price | A few mentions | Seen as expensive, especially as it's mainly sold through vets |
Sources: Nutravet on Trustpilot, Nutravet's Nutraquin page and the CIMDA owner forum. Frequencies are our estimates from a small sample.
"Only problem I've found is getting a hold of it"
Availability is the complaint that has lasted longest:
- "Only problem I've found is getting a hold of it as it is only stocked by a few vets and not all carry stock all the time." (tricia, CIMDA owner forum, February 2016)
More than ten years on, Nutravet's own shop showed Nutraquin as out of stock on 8 October 2026, though vets and some online retailers still listed it. It's also changed name: what was Nutraquin+ for dogs and cats is now sold as Nutraquin, and Nutraquin Tasty Chews are a separate product with a different formula, so check which one you're buying.
Capsules, a six-week loading phase and half doses
- Capsule format: Nutraquin is a sprinkle capsule, given whole or opened over food. If your dog is fussy, that can make it harder to give every day.
- Six-week loading phase: Nutravet recommends double the long-term dose for the first six weeks. A 25kg dog gets through about 126 capsules in that time, just over a 120 tub (Nutravet's dosing advice).
- Half capsules: the long-term dose for small dogs and for dogs of 25 to 50kg involves half capsules, given as one every other day or alternating one and two.
- Allergens: the chondroitin comes from squid cartilage and the glucosamine can be shellfish-derived, so Nutravet warns owners of pets with a squid or shellfish allergy.
The evidence is mostly Nutravet's own
Nutravet says improvement is usually seen within 4 to 7 days, and its leaflet claims Nutraquin was 25% more effective than competing supplements in an in vitro (lab) blind study, which isn't the same as a trial in dogs. A 130-dog study Nutravet ran with VidiVet in 2026 tested the chews, not the capsules, and the press release doesn't mention a control group.
The guarantee catch
We couldn't find a money-back guarantee. Nutravet's terms ask you to report unsuitable or faulty goods within 7 working days and return items within 14 days, and orders can't be changed once placed. That's a short window for a supplement with a six-week loading phase.
Why Nutraquin customers switch to MedPaw
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews differ from Nutraquin on exactly the points that make it hard to give, hard to get and hard to judge.
Nutraquin vs MedPaw on the complaints and drawbacks
| The complaint | Nutraquin | MedPaw |
|---|---|---|
| Dog won't take capsules | Capsule, given whole or opened over food | Soft chicken and bacon chew, given from your hand like a treat |
| Getting your money back | No guarantee we could find; report unsuitable goods within 7 working days | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; email us and keep the tub |
| Loading phase | Double for six weeks | Double for just the first three weeks |
| Splitting doses | Half capsules for some weights | Whole chews at every weight |
| Knowing what's in it | Glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia; no MSM, green-lipped mussel or hyaluronic acid | 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 |
| Changing your order | Orders can't be changed once placed | Subscriptions can be paused, changed or cancelled any time from your account, or just email us |
Our recommendation: if your dog won't take capsules, you're struggling to find Nutraquin in stock, or you want a guarantee in case it doesn't suit your dog, switch to MedPaw. Swap rather than stack: stop Nutraquin 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.
Nutraquin's rating, in context
Nutravet is rated 3.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot from just 21 reviews across its whole range, with 57% at 5 stars and 34% at 1 or 2 stars, and Trustpilot notes that Nutravet hasn't replied to its negative reviews (checked 8 October 2026). That low score is driven mainly by its calming products and service, while the handful of joint reviews are positive. Nutravet's own product page lists 367 reviews but shows no average rating, and its other praise comes from a testimonials page of vet quotes. Either way, a brand score from 21 reviews and the maker's own site can't tell you much about whether Nutraquin will help your dog.
To be fair to Nutraquin, the reviews that mention it are positive, it gives more glucosamine and chondroitin per day than MedPaw, and once the loading phase is over it's cheaper per month for most dogs.
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
Nutraquin's problems aren't bad reviews; they're the practical ones. It's a capsule, it's hard to get hold of, the loading phase is six weeks with half doses after that, there's no guarantee we could find, and there are too few independent reviews to know how it compares. If that's where you are, MedPaw is the alternative we'd recommend. For more, read our YuMOVE vs Nutraquin comparison, our vet-recommended joint supplements guide, or tips for dogs that won't take joint supplements.
More on Nutraquin: is Nutraquin out of stock or discontinued?
What are the most common complaints about Nutraquin?
Very few reviews criticise Nutraquin itself. The common drawbacks are practical: it's hard to get hold of (it was out of stock on Nutravet's own shop when we checked), it's a capsule, there's a six-week loading phase with half capsules for some weights afterwards, it contains squid, and we couldn't find a money-back guarantee. Nutravet's negative Trustpilot reviews are mostly about its calming products and customer service.
Is Nutraquin any good?
The reviews we found that mention Nutraquin are positive, mostly describing older, stiff dogs moving better. But independent reviews are scarce: Nutravet has only 21 Trustpilot reviews across its whole range, scoring 3.2 out of 5. If you'd rather have a soft chew, whole doses and a 60-day money-back guarantee, MedPaw is the alternative we'd recommend.
Is Nutraquin the same as Nutraquin+?
Yes. Nutravet's product page says the dog and cat capsule was previously called Nutraquin+. Nutraquin Tasty Chews are a separate product with a different formula.
How many Nutraquin capsules should I give my dog?
For six weeks: 1 a day under 10kg, 2 for 10 to 24.9kg, 3 for 25 to 49.9kg and 4 from 50kg. After that, halve it: half a capsule, 1, 1.5 or 2 a day. Capsules can be given whole or opened over food.
What's the best alternative to Nutraquin?
If your dog won't take capsules, you can't find Nutraquin in stock, or you want a guarantee, we'd recommend MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews: a soft chew given like a treat, all six key joint actives with the main amounts on the label, whole chews at every weight and a 60-day money-back guarantee with nothing to send back. Swap rather than stack, and give it six to eight weeks.
Can I switch from Nutraquin to MedPaw straight away?
Yes. Stop Nutraquin 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.
