If you have just bought a joint supplement for your dog, the first question is usually a simple one: how much should they actually have? It is a sensible thing to ask. Joint products vary a great deal in format, ingredients and amount per serving, so a dose that suits one product tells you nothing about another.
The short answer is that there is no universal dose. The right amount depends on the specific product, your dog's bodyweight and how long they have been taking it. A joint supplement is a complementary feed that sits alongside veterinary care. It never replaces a diagnosis or a treatment plan from your vet.
This guide walks you through how to work out the right amount, what a loading phase is, how long to give it and what else can help your dog feel comfortable day to day.
What the weight bands mean once you compare the formulas
Dosing starts with your dog's weight, but the amount per serving only makes sense once you know what is in each serving. A small daily number tells you little if the formula behind it is thin on actives.
So before the weight bands, here is how six well-known UK joint supports compare. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is our own product, and it is the one we would point you towards.
MedPaw is the only one of the six with all six key joint actives
| Ingredient | MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max | NutraPaw Joint Support | YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max | Seraquin Joint | Synoquin EFA | Nutraquin+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key joint actives | 6 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 (+1 via mussel) | 2 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 3 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 | Manganese | Vit C, Vit E, manganese | ✗ | Vit C, zinc | Vit C, zinc |
| Format | Soft chew | Tablet | Tablet | Chewable tablet | Tablet or capsule | Capsule |
| Guarantee | 60 days | 90 days | 6 weeks | Not stated | 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 top row counts the six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. MedPaw is the only one of the six that scores 6 of 6. The nearest rival lists 4 of 6, and others list 2 or 3.
For a 20kg dog, the MedPaw label gives 2-3 soft chews a day, doubled for the first three weeks. Daily use for 2-3 months is recommended for optimal results. That is a simple routine, and all six actives come in the one chew.
MedPaw supports joints, mobility and comfort alongside veterinary care. The 60-day money-back guarantee leaves time to follow the full routine, and Subscribe & Save keeps the daily habit going.
Explore MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max See the full feeding guide and ingredients for your dog's weight on the product page.
Why there is no one-size-fits-all dose
Joint supplements contain different mixes of ingredients, in different amounts and different forms. Some are soft chews, some are tablets, some are capsules. Each manufacturer sets its feeding guide around its own formula, so the numbers on one pack cannot be carried over to another.
Following the label for the product you have chosen is the most important rule. Giving more than directed is not advised, and it does not make a supplement work faster. If your dog ever eats a large amount by accident, contact your vet or an emergency vet straight away.
Start by weighing your dog
Almost every feeding guide steps up the number of chews or tablets as the dog gets heavier. So the first job is to know your dog's weight, rather than estimating it.
You have two easy options:
- Vet scales. Many practices will let you pop in and weigh your dog, and the team can note it on their record. It is worth asking at your surgery.
- Home scales. Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding your dog, and subtract the first number from the second.
Weigh again every few months. Weight can drift with age, diet and reduced exercise, and a dog who has gained or lost weight may move into a different band on the label.
If your dog sits between bands
Some dogs fall close to a boundary, or between two bands on the pack. Rather than guessing, check the label again and ask your vet or the manufacturer's customer team. It takes a minute and clears up any doubt.
Understanding loading phases
Many joint products use a loading phase. This means a higher daily amount at the start, followed by a lower maintenance amount. Not every product does this, so check yours and note how long the loading phase lasts.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, have a chat with your vet about how best to begin. If your dog has ongoing sickness or diarrhoea after starting a supplement, stop and call your vet.
Reading the label properly
A good label makes dosing easier. Before you open the pack, look for these things:
- The amount per serving, ideally with a clear breakdown of each active rather than a vague "blend".
- The weight bands and how many chews or tablets each one gets.
- Whether there is a loading phase, and for how long.
- Any minimum age. This varies from product to product.
- The storage instructions.
For puppies, and for large or giant breeds that are still growing, speak to your vet before starting any joint supplement. Joint support can be part of looking after joints through life, but the timing is best agreed with someone who knows your dog.
How MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is fed
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew and a complementary feed for dogs. The amount depends on bodyweight, and the daily amount is doubled for the first three weeks.
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max feeding guide
| Dog's weight | Daily amount after the first three weeks | First three weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 4kg | 1 chew a day | Doubled |
| 5 to 17kg | 2 chews a day | Doubled |
| 18kg and over | 2 to 3 chews a day | Doubled |
Always check the pack. For guidance only, not a diagnosis.
As an example, a dog in the 5 to 17kg band would have 4 chews a day for the first three weeks, then 2 chews a day after that. We recommend 2 to 3 months of daily use.
The key joint actives are glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. The chew also contains omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, vitamins C and E, and zinc, and it is made with rapeseed oil and glycerine. A 60-day money-back guarantee applies, and Subscribe & Save is available if you would rather not reorder each month.
Why doses are not interchangeable between products
It is easy to assume that similar-sounding products work in the same way. In practice, the formats and ingredient lists differ, and so do the feeding guides. Based on each manufacturer's published information (September 2026):
- NutraPaw Joint Support is a tablet containing glucosamine, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, turmeric and collagen, with omega-3 from the mussel and manganese. It has a 90-day guarantee.
- YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max is a tablet containing glucosamine, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and fish oil, with chondroitin only via the mussel, plus vitamins C and E and manganese. It has a 6-week guarantee.
- Seraquin Joint is a chewable tablet containing glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric.
- Synoquin EFA is a tablet or capsule containing glucosamine, chondroitin and krill oil, plus vitamin C and zinc.
- Nutraquin+ is a capsule containing glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia, plus vitamin C and zinc.
Because the formats, ingredients and guarantees differ, the number of chews, tablets or capsules from one product cannot be swapped for another. If you ever change products, start again from the new label and talk to your vet about the switch.
Consistency matters more than any single day
Joint supplements are not an overnight thing. The part you control is giving the supplement every day. Missing the odd dose is not a disaster, but a steady routine is what you are aiming for.
Every dog is different, so we would not promise a timeline. For MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max, the recommendation is 2 to 3 months of daily use, so it makes sense to stick with that full period before judging how your dog is getting on.
Why format affects consistency
Fussy dogs can turn their nose up at powders and tablets. A tasty soft chew can make the daily habit easier, which is a practical point rather than proof that one format suits every dog. The best supplement is the one your dog will actually take every day.
A simple daily routine
A few small habits make dosing easier to stick to:
- Link it to a meal. Giving the chew with breakfast, or at the same point each day, makes it hard to forget.
- Keep a mobility diary. Note how easily your dog gets up, manages stairs, jumps into the car and how far they walk before stiffness shows.
- Take short phone videos every couple of weeks. Gradual changes are hard to spot day to day, and a video gives your vet something useful to look at.
- Reweigh regularly so the dose still matches the weight band.
Avoiding doubling up
It can be tempting to add extra supplements, such as a separate fish oil, on top of a joint chew. Overlapping ingredients can mean your dog gets more than you intended. Check with your vet before combining products.
The same goes for prescribed medicines. If your dog is on pain relief or anti-inflammatories from your vet, keep to the vet's plan and mention any supplement you add. Only your vet should change prescribed treatment, and a supplement can be discussed as a complementary addition at your dog's regular check-ups.
Storing supplements safely
Store the pack in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and reseal it after every use. Keep it well out of reach of children and other animals. Dogs that find a pack can eat far more than the recommended amount, and soft chews smell appealing.
Joint supplements for dogs are not intended for human consumption, so keep them separate from your own supplements.
Supporting your dog beyond the supplement
A supplement is one part of looking after joints. Everyday care makes a real difference to comfort, and it goes hand in hand with whatever you give in the bowl:
- Keep your dog at a healthy weight, as extra weight puts more load through the joints.
- Choose regular, moderate, low-impact exercise over occasional long or intense bursts.
- Use rugs or non-slip flooring on slippery surfaces.
- Provide a supportive, warm bed.
- Consider ramps for the car and for furniture your dog likes to jump on.
When to speak to your vet
A joint supplement is not a substitute for a veterinary assessment. Possible signs of joint discomfort include limping, sluggishness or reluctance to get up, leg tremors, favouring one side, facial tension when moving, and swelling or warmth around a joint. These signs can also point to other illnesses or conditions, which is exactly why a vet should take a look.
How quickly to act on mobility changes
Mention it at the next check-up
Your dog is a little slower on walks, and you want to talk through weight, exercise and whether a supplement suits them.
Book an appointment
Limping or stiffness lasting more than a few days, reluctance on stairs or jumping that was not there before, changes in mood or restlessness at night, or any stiffness in a dog under two years old.
Seek urgent veterinary help
Your dog suddenly cannot put weight on a leg, has visible deformity or severe swelling, cries out in pain, collapses, shows weakness in the back legs, or has eaten a large amount of supplement chews.
Loss of appetite, or weight loss or gain alongside mobility changes, is also worth raising with your vet.
Bringing it all together
Getting the amount right comes down to a few steady habits. Weigh your dog, read the whole label, follow the feeding guide for that specific product, give it daily and give it time. Joint support sits best within a wider routine that includes a healthy weight, gentle regular exercise and a comfortable home.
Your vet knows your dog's history and can advise on whether a joint supplement suits them, what to give alongside any medicines, and when to review progress. If you are unsure about anything, have a conversation with them about your dog's joint health and any supplement plan.
How much Pet Gently should I give my dog by weight?
The right amount depends on your dog's bodyweight band, and the only reliable source is the feeding guide printed on the current Pet Gently pack or the manufacturer's own UK product page. Weigh your dog rather than estimating, then match the weight to the band on the label. If your dog sits between two bands, ask the manufacturer's customer team or your vet instead of guessing.
Does Pet Gently have a loading phase?
Whether a loading phase applies, and how long it lasts, is set by the manufacturer, so check the current Pet Gently label for the exact wording. Some joint products start with a higher daily amount and then drop to a maintenance amount, and others do not. Do not carry a loading phase over from a different product, as each feeding guide is written around its own formula.
Can I use a Pet Gently dose for a different joint supplement?
No, the amounts are not interchangeable. Formats, ingredients and feeding guides differ between products, so one chew, tablet or capsule of one brand tells you nothing about another. If you switch, start again from the new label and mention the change to your vet.
How many MedPaw chews would a 20kg dog have each day?
On the MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max label, dogs of 18kg and over have 2 to 3 chews a day, and the amount is doubled for the first three weeks. So a 20kg dog would have 4 to 6 chews a day for the first three weeks, then 2 to 3 chews a day. MedPaw is a complementary feed, so always check the pack and ask your vet if you are unsure.
How long does one tub of MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max last at 20kg?
Each tub holds 60 chews. During the doubled first three weeks at 4 to 6 chews a day, a tub lasts roughly 10 to 15 days. After that, at 2 to 3 chews a day, a tub lasts roughly 20 to 30 days. We recommend 2 to 3 months of daily use, so it helps to plan your reorders in advance.
Is it safe to give extra chews if my dog seems stiff?
Giving more than the label directs is not advised, and it does not make a supplement work faster. Stiffness can have many causes, so it is worth booking a vet appointment rather than adjusting the amount yourself. If your dog has eaten a large amount of chews by accident, contact your vet or an emergency vet straight away.
