If you are standing in a shop aisle or scrolling a retailer page with two joint supplements in front of you, it is hard to know what separates them. Nutraquin+ is one familiar UK name, and MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is another. Both are complementary feeds that sit alongside veterinary care.
This article looks at Nutraquin+ on its own terms first, then at where MedPaw's formula is the same and where it differs. The aim is to help you compare labels fairly, not to crown a winner. Your dog, your vet's advice and what your dog will take reliably all matter more than any slogan.
We will also cover timescales, absorption, safety and the signs that mean a vet visit should come before any supplement.
Nutraquin+ and MedPaw: what each label actually lists
If you are weighing up Nutraquin+ against MedPaw, the quickest way to compare them is to check which of the six key joint actives each one lists. The table below does exactly that, using the published ingredients for both.
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is our own product, so we have set out the facts plainly and left the Nutraquin+ column as it appears.
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.
Nutraquin+ lists three of the six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia. It does not list MSM, green-lipped mussel or hyaluronic acid, and it comes as a capsule. MedPaw lists all six in one daily soft chew, which makes it the only product in the table to do so.
For an owner choosing between the two, that is the practical difference. MedPaw brings glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia together, with omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, to support your dog's joints, mobility and comfort alongside veterinary care.
A soft chew is also easy to give every day, and daily use over 2 to 3 months is what we recommend for optimal results. If you try it, the 60-day money-back guarantee and Subscribe & Save are there to make that simple.
Explore MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max See the full MedPaw formula and feeding guide to decide whether all six key joint actives in one soft chew suit your dog.
What Nutraquin+ contains
Going by its published information, Nutraquin+ is a capsule. Its formula is built around three joint-focused ingredients: glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia. It also contains vitamin C and zinc.
Several ingredients that appear in some other joint supplements are not listed for Nutraquin+. These are MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, omega-3, turmeric and collagen. A guarantee was not stated in the information we reviewed, so it is worth checking the retailer's terms before you buy.
Some owners like a focused formula. A shorter ingredient list is easier to read, and it can be easier to spot if one ingredient does not agree with your dog. The Boswellia is what sets Nutraquin+ apart from products that contain glucosamine and chondroitin alone.
We would not promise any particular speed of results from any supplement. Dogs vary, and owner stories are not the same as trial results.
How MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max compares
MedPaw is a daily soft chew, sold as a complementary feed for dogs. Its key joint actives are glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. It also provides omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, vitamins C and E, and zinc. It is made with rapeseed oil and glycerine.
Where the two overlap
Both products list glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellia, vitamin C and zinc. If those are the ingredients you are looking for, you will find them on either label.
Where MedPaw goes further
MedPaw's list is broader. On top of the shared ingredients, it adds MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, omega-3 and vitamin E. None of those are listed for Nutraquin+.
That does not make one product right for every dog. It simply means the two labels are different, and it is fair to compare them side by side. You can then decide whether the extra ingredients matter for your dog, and whether your vet is happy with them.
Capsule or soft chew?
Format is a practical question, not a performance one. A capsule may suit an owner who finds it easy to hide something in food. A soft chew may suit a dog who takes treats readily and happily.
The best format is the one your dog takes reliably every day. Joint supplements are judged over weeks, so consistency counts for more than any small difference in how the product is delivered.
If your dog is a fussy eater, think about what daily life looks like. Some dogs gulp anything. Others will leave a capsule in the bowl or spit out a chew they do not like. Be honest about which sort you live with.
Reading a joint supplement label properly
A brand name tells you very little. The label tells you much more, so it helps to look at the same few things on every product you compare:
- Which ingredients are actually listed, rather than what the packaging implies.
- Whether the amounts are clearly stated.
- How much of the product is active ingredient compared with binder or filler.
- The daily amount needed for your dog's weight, and whether you can realistically give it every day.
A bigger number on the label is not the whole story either. A larger milligram figure does not automatically mean more reaches the joint. Absorption can depend on the form of the ingredient, the rest of the formula and your dog's digestive health. A dog with loose stools or a sensitive gut may take up less of what is in any supplement. That applies to every product, including MedPaw, and it is a good reason to mention digestive changes to your vet.
How long to give a supplement a fair trial
Joint supplements are a gradual, longer-term part of a routine, so patience matters. Most vets suggest allowing several weeks of daily use before judging any difference. Some owners notice changes sooner, but those are personal stories, and every dog is different.
MedPaw's own guidance is 2 to 3 months of daily use. Its 60-day money-back guarantee is designed to fit that kind of trial. For Nutraquin+, check the retailer's terms, as the guarantee was not stated in the information we reviewed.
Whichever you choose, a few habits make the trial more reliable:
- Pick a start date and write it down.
- Keep a simple diary of stiffness on rising, stairs, jumping into the car and walk length.
- Take a short video of your dog getting up and walking, then repeat it every couple of weeks.
This matters because improvement is hard to judge by eye. Season, changes in activity, weight loss and plain owner optimism can all affect how your dog seems. Notes and videos are more reliable than memory.
What matters at least as much as the supplement
If your dog has a sore joint, supervised weight loss and any pain relief prescribed by your vet will usually do more than a supplement. A supplement is there to support joint comfort and mobility alongside those things, not instead of them. Please speak to your vet if your dog seems to be in pain.
Excess weight puts extra load on joints, so a lean body condition is one of the most useful things you can work on. Your vet or a vet nurse can score your dog's body condition and set a target weight.
Some simple everyday changes also help:
- Offer regular shorter walks rather than occasional long ones.
- Provide a supportive, warm bed away from draughts.
- Use rugs or non-slip flooring on slippery surfaces.
- Help your dog into the car with a ramp if jumping seems hard.
Never give human painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to a dog, as they can be dangerous. Bones and bone broth are not a substitute for a joint supplement either, and they carry their own risks, including choking and stomach upset.
Safety points to know before you start
Supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin are generally well tolerated by most dogs when used as directed. Even so, a few sensible checks are worth making.
- Shellfish sensitivity. Chondroitin is often derived from marine or animal sources, and green-lipped mussel is shellfish-derived. MedPaw contains green-lipped mussel. If your dog has a known shellfish sensitivity, read each label and ask your vet before starting any joint supplement.
- Digestive changes. Watch stool consistency and appetite over the first week or two of any new supplement, including those containing Boswellia, particularly in dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Medication and health conditions. Dogs on prescribed medication, pregnant or lactating dogs, and dogs with existing health conditions should be checked by a vet before any new supplement starts.
Introduce a new product gradually if the label allows. If anything new appears after you begin, stop and call your vet.
When a vet visit comes before a supplement
Stiffness can have several causes, and a supplement should never delay a diagnosis. Use this guide to judge how quickly to act. It is for guidance only.
How quickly to contact your vet
Mild, gradual stiffness
Slower to get up, shorter walks or less keen on stairs. Book a routine check and ask whether a supplement suits your dog.
Persistent or changing signs
Limping that lasts more than a few days or keeps returning, licking at a joint, a young dog with joint signs, or any new symptom after starting a supplement.
Sudden or severe signs
Not putting weight on a leg, yelping or crying, a hot, swollen or misshapen joint, collapse, hind-leg weakness or inability to stand. Same-day veterinary attention is needed.
Loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting or ongoing diarrhoea alongside stiffness also deserves a call to the practice. So do marked changes in behaviour, such as withdrawal or refusing to walk.
Choosing between Nutraquin+ and MedPaw
There is no universal winner. Nutraquin+ offers a focused capsule formula with glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellia, vitamin C and zinc. MedPaw offers a daily soft chew with a wider list that adds MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, omega-3 and vitamin E. Both are complementary feeds, and neither replaces a diagnosis or veterinary care.
A sensible way to decide:
- Speak to your vet first. Ask whether a supplement suits your dog alongside any current medication.
- Compare the ingredient lists and note which each product includes and does not.
- Choose a format your dog will take every day.
- Follow the feeding guide for your dog's weight. For MedPaw, that is 1 chew a day up to 4kg, 2 for 5 to 17kg, and 2 to 3 for 18kg and over, doubled for the first three weeks. For Nutraquin+, check the current label.
- Give it a fair trial of several weeks, ideally 2 to 3 months, and keep notes.
If you would like a longer trial period with a safety net, MedPaw comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available for owners who want to keep going. Whichever product you choose, keep your dog lean, keep them moving gently and keep your vet in the loop.
What is the main difference between Nutraquin+ and MedPaw?
Going by the published labels, Nutraquin+ is a capsule containing glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia, plus vitamin C and zinc. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew that lists those same ingredients and adds MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, omega-3 and vitamin E. Both are complementary feeds, so it is worth comparing the full labels and asking your vet which suits your dog.
Does Nutraquin+ contain green-lipped mussel, MSM or hyaluronic acid?
No, none of these are listed for Nutraquin+ in the information we reviewed. MedPaw does list all three. If your dog has a known shellfish sensitivity, check each label carefully and speak to your vet, as green-lipped mussel is shellfish-derived.
How many MedPaw chews would a 20kg dog have each day?
A 20kg dog falls in the 18kg and over band, which is 2 to 3 chews a day on the printed label. The amount is doubled for the first three weeks. The label recommends 2 to 3 months of daily use, and your vet can help you settle on the right amount for your dog.
Does Nutraquin+ come with a money-back guarantee?
A guarantee was not stated in the information we reviewed for Nutraquin+, so please check the retailer's terms before you buy. MedPaw comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available if you want to keep going after your trial.
Is a capsule or a soft chew better for my dog?
Neither is better in itself. The best format is the one your dog will take reliably every day, because joint supplements are given over weeks and months. A dog who takes treats happily may prefer a soft chew, whilst some owners find a capsule easy to hide in food.
Should I see my vet before switching or starting a joint supplement?
Yes, it is a sensible first step, especially if your dog is on medication, has an existing health condition or is showing stiffness or limping. A supplement supports mobility and comfort alongside veterinary care and never replaces a diagnosis. If your dog seems to be in pain or the signs are sudden or severe, contact your vet promptly.
