Quick answer: side effects from Nutripaw Hip & Joint Treats Plus appear to be uncommon. In the roughly 100 recent Trustpilot reviews we read, nobody reported diarrhoea, vomiting or itching, though a few owners said their dog wouldn't eat Nutripaw chews. As with any supplement, some dogs may get an upset stomach, and the Plus contains fish, so it won't suit a dog with a fish allergy. Nutripaw's only published warning is to check with your vet if your dog is pregnant or breastfeeding. If your dog doesn't get on with Nutripaw, we'd recommend trying MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews instead: a soft chicken and bacon chew with all six key joint actives and a 60-day money-back guarantee if it doesn't suit, with nothing to send back.
Transparency note: this page is written by MedPaw, which makes a competing joint supplement. Nutripaw's label and FAQ are quoted word for word with links, and reviews are quoted word for word with a link so you can check them. Everything was checked on 8 October 2026.
What Nutripaw's label and FAQ say
From Nutripaw's Hip & Joint Treats Plus page and FAQ:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: "CAUTION: Please check with your vet before giving our supplement treats to a dog that is pregnant or breastfeeding."
- Puppies: the page says the chews are suitable for puppies "at least 12 weeks old".
- Medication: there's no warning about prescription medicines. The FAQ says of its own range, "we have formulated these to allow them to be used together", but that's about Nutripaw's other products, not vet drugs.
- Allergens: there's no allergen statement. The page calls it a "hypoallergenic soft chew", but the composition includes fish. The FAQ says it's "your responsibility to ensure the chews are suitable for your pet", and the guarantee doesn't cover an allergy found after opening if you hadn't checked the ingredients.
- Doubling up: the page says "Not seeing changes by week 4? You can safely double the daily serving." A bigger serving means more of everything in the chew, so watch your dog's stomach if you do.
What owners actually report
We read around 100 recent reviews across Nutripaw's whole range on Trustpilot (August to October 2026). Frequencies are our estimates from that sample. We couldn't read Amazon reviews or the reviews on Nutripaw's own site, so check those too.
Possible side effects in the Nutripaw reviews we read
| Problem | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhoea or loose stools | None found | No reports in our sample |
| Vomiting | None found | No reports in our sample |
| Itching or skin reaction | None found | No reports in our sample |
| Refusing the chews | Occasional | A handful of reviews, mostly about Nutripaw's calming and probiotic chews rather than the joint chew |
| Chew size | Rare | One owner said "our smaller dog struggles as she only has a small mouth." (Sharon R., 5 stars, September 2026) |
Refusals matter because Nutripaw won't refund you for them. One owner wrote: "they have told me that my dogs refusing to eat them does not fall within the terms of their guarantee." (Jennie L., 1 star, September 2026). Another said: "Buddy didnt like the taste & we had to crumble them into his food." (Ron H., 3 stars, September 2026, about the calming chews). Nutripaw's FAQ says: "We do not offer refunds if your pet doesn't like the taste".
The biggest complaint in Nutripaw's reviews isn't a side effect at all: it's the subscription. Read more in our Nutripaw reviews.
Allergen breakdown
Based on Nutripaw's published composition for Hip & Joint Treats Plus:
Common allergens: Nutripaw Hip & Joint Treats Plus vs MedPaw
| Allergen | Nutripaw Plus | MedPaw |
|---|---|---|
| Fish | Yes: salmon oil, other fish oil, fish collagen | If your dog has a fish allergy, check the full ingredient list on the product page or ask us before switching. |
| Shellfish (mollusc) | Not listed | Yes: green-lipped mussel |
| Gluten | No cereals listed; FAQ says no wheat | Yes: brewer's yeast |
| Yeast | Yes: inactivated yeast | Yes: brewer's yeast |
| Meat protein | "Processed animal protein" of unstated origin | Chicken and bacon flavour |
If your dog has a known food allergy, the unnamed "processed animal protein" in Nutripaw's Plus is worth asking Nutripaw about before you buy. And to be clear about our own chew: MedPaw contains mollusc and gluten, so it isn't suitable for a dog with a shellfish allergy.
When to stop and call your vet
- Vomiting, or diarrhoea that lasts more than a day or two.
- Itching, hives, facial swelling or any sign of an allergic reaction.
- Your dog is off their food, lethargic or seems unwell.
- Your dog is pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication or has a health condition and you haven't checked with your vet.
- Stiffness or lameness is getting worse. A supplement isn't a painkiller, and pain needs a vet.
For a broader guide, read our article on joint supplement side effects in dogs.
Why Nutripaw customers switch to MedPaw
Nutripaw vs MedPaw if your dog doesn't get on with it
| The issue | Nutripaw | MedPaw |
|---|---|---|
| If your dog won't eat it | No refund if your pet doesn't like the taste or smell | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; email us and keep the tub |
| Knowing what's in it | Amounts per chew not published | The main amounts per chew on the label |
| Joint actives | No glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel or Boswellia | All six key joint actives |
Our recommendation: if your dog won't eat Nutripaw, you'd rather see the main amounts in each chew, or you want the classic joint actives, switch to MedPaw. It's a soft chicken and bacon chew given like a treat, with all six key joint actives. Swap rather than stack, and if it doesn't suit your dog, email us within 60 days of delivery for a refund. Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews.
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. For what's actually in the chew, see Nutripaw ingredients explained.
Does Nutripaw have side effects?
Reported side effects seem uncommon. In about 100 recent Trustpilot reviews we read, none mentioned diarrhoea, vomiting or itching. Any supplement can upset some dogs' stomachs, and the Plus contains fish, so it won't suit a dog with a fish allergy.
Can Nutripaw cause diarrhoea?
We didn't find reports of it in the reviews we read, but any new chew can upset a sensitive stomach, especially at a doubled serving. If diarrhoea lasts more than a day or two, stop and call your vet.
Is Nutripaw safe for pregnant dogs?
Nutripaw's own caution is to check with your vet before giving its supplement treats to a dog that is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Does Nutripaw contain fish?
Yes. Hip & Joint Treats Plus contains salmon oil, other fish oil and fish collagen, even though Nutripaw describes it as hypoallergenic.
What if my dog won't eat Nutripaw?
Nutripaw suggests hiding the chews in food, and its FAQ says it doesn't refund if your pet doesn't like the taste. MedPaw's 60-day guarantee covers any reason, including a dog that won't eat it, and you don't need to send anything back.
Can I switch from Nutripaw to MedPaw straight away?
Yes, once any stomach upset has settled. Stop Nutripaw and start MedPaw the next day, and don't give both. Check with your vet first if your dog takes any medication or reacted badly.
