PetLab Co. dosage guide: how much to give by weight

If you are searching for dosage guidance, you probably want a straight answer to two questions: how much do I give, and for how long? It is a sensible thing to check. Joint supplements are given every day, so getting the routine right from the start makes life easier for you and your dog.

The short answer is that the manufacturer sets the amount, usually by your dog's weight, and it differs from product to product. This guide covers the principles that apply to any daily joint supplement. Then we walk through the MedPaw feeding guide in detail, so you can see how a weight-based guide works in practice.

Whatever you give, your vet is the best person to ask about your individual dog. A supplement supports joint comfort and mobility as part of a wider routine, and it never replaces a proper diagnosis.

Comparing daily joint chews for a 20kg dog

Daily amounts vary a lot between joint supplements, so the table below sets out what each one actually contains. Use it alongside the weight bands in this guide, and keep checking each pack for its own current feeding directions.

MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is our product, and it comes first in the table. The other five are well-known UK options. PetLab Co. is not in this table, so its own label remains the place to check its amounts.

The top row is the quickest thing to scan. MedPaw is the only one of the six listing all six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. The next best, NutraPaw, lists four. For a dog whose dose depends on weight, that range is delivered through one daily soft chew.

For a 20kg dog, the label gives 2 to 3 MedPaw chews a day, doubled to 4 to 6 for the first three weeks. Two to three months of daily use is recommended for optimal results. A 60-day money-back guarantee and Subscribe & Save make that routine easier to try and keep up.

See MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max Check the full feeding guide and ingredients for your dog's weight band, and use alongside your vet's advice to support joint comfort.

Why the pack guide is your starting point

Manufacturers set a daily amount for a reason, so the most reliable approach is to use only the measure and directions supplied with your product. It is tempting to add a little extra when a dog is large, or stiff on a cold morning, or simply loves the taste. Try to hold back. More is not better, and the pack guide is where you begin.

The same goes for moving between products. A dose that suits one supplement tells you nothing about another. Formats, ingredient lists, strengths and loading phases all differ, so never carry one product's amount over to a different one.

If you feel your dog needs more support than the guide gives, have a chat with your vet. Topping up yourself is not the answer.

Step one: get an accurate weight

For most joint supplements, weight decides the amount. That makes a recent, accurate weight the most useful number you can have. A guess from a year ago, or from when your dog was younger or leaner, can put you in the wrong band.

There are two easy ways to get one:

• Bathroom scales at home. Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding your dog, and subtract the first figure from the second.
• Your vet practice. Many practices will weigh your dog for you, and they can also do a body condition check at the same visit.

Write the weight down and note the date. If your dog's weight changes noticeably, recheck which band applies.

The MedPaw feeding guide, weight by weight

MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew, sold as a complementary feed for dogs. The standard daily amount depends on your dog's weight.

The guide is written in bands, so some dogs will sit near an edge. If your dog is between bands, or you are not sure which end of the 18kg and over range suits them, check the pack or ask your vet rather than estimating.

Two worked examples

A 12kg dog sits in the 5 to 17kg band, so the standard amount is 2 chews a day. For the first three weeks that doubles to 4 chews a day, and then it goes back to 2.

A 25kg dog follows the 2 to 3 chew range. For the first three weeks that range is doubled, and after that your dog returns to the standard daily amount. Your vet can help you decide where in the range your dog sits.

The loading phase, and why a start date helps

Some joint supplements have a loading phase. This means a higher amount for a set period at the start, before moving to the daily maintenance amount. MedPaw's guide doubles the daily amount for the first three weeks.

The tricky part is remembering when those three weeks end. It is very easy to carry on at the higher amount for weeks, or to drop down too early. The fix is simple:

• Write the start date on the pack or in your phone calendar.
• Set a reminder for three weeks later to reduce to the standard amount.
• Give the chews at the same time each day, by hand or alongside a meal, so the habit sticks.

If you need to split the daily amount, for example giving 4 chews as 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening, that is fine as long as the total matches the guide.

How long before you judge a joint supplement?

A joint supplement is part of a routine, not a quick fix. Some daily supplements are described as needing up to three months of consistent use before you can judge them properly, and some dogs respond sooner than others. Expect weeks to months, not days.

For MedPaw, we recommend daily use for 2 to 3 months. There is also a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it with some peace of mind.

Changes in a dog's comfort tend to be gradual, which makes them easy to miss or to misremember. A simple diary helps:

• Note how easily your dog gets up after resting.
• Record how they manage stairs, the car or the sofa.
• Keep track of walk length and willingness to play.
• Take a short video of your dog getting up once a fortnight, which makes it much easier to compare.

Bring the diary and videos to your vet appointments. They give your vet a clearer picture than memory alone.

Chew, tablet or capsule: why format matters for dosing

Dosing instructions, loading phases and guarantee lengths all differ between products, so read each pack carefully. Formats differ too. From the manufacturers' published information (September 2026):

• NutraPaw Joint Support is a tablet, with a 90-day guarantee.
• YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max is a tablet, with a 6-week guarantee.
• Seraquin Joint is a chewable tablet. Its guarantee is not stated.
• Synoquin EFA comes as a tablet or capsule. Its guarantee is not stated.
• Nutraquin+ is a capsule. Its guarantee is not stated.

Ingredient lists vary as well. For example, MedPaw lists glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata, along with omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, vitamins C and E, and zinc. Other products list different combinations, and some leave out ingredients that MedPaw includes. That is one more reason never to transfer a dose from one product to another.

The best format is usually the one your dog will take reliably every day. A fussy eater, or a dog who dislikes tablets, may find a soft chew easier to give. That regularity is what makes a daily routine work.

Please do not combine two joint supplements without asking your vet first. Different products can contain overlapping ingredients, and doubling up is not the same as getting extra support.

Storage and chew safety

How a product is kept matters too. As a general rule for supplements:

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Reseal the pack straight after use.
• Keep it out of reach of children and other animals.
• Check the shelf life and any after-opening guidance on your own pack, as it varies from product to product.

With any chew, it is sensible to watch your dog while they eat it, make sure they chew and swallow it properly, and keep fresh water available.

Check with your vet before you start

It is always sensible to mention a new supplement to your vet. Book a conversation before starting if your dog:

• is limping, stiff or slow to get up
• is reluctant to use stairs, jump into the car or go on walks
• has a diagnosed joint or other health condition
• takes prescribed medication
• is pregnant or nursing
• is a young puppy, as your vet can advise on timing
• has known allergies or food sensitivities

On that last point, green-lipped mussel is a marine ingredient, so mention it to your vet if your dog has a shellfish or fish sensitivity.

Knowing when it is more than a supplement can help with

A supplement is a complementary feed. It is not a substitute for finding out why your dog is uncomfortable. Use this as a rough guide to how quickly to act.

Only a vet can diagnose the cause of stiffness or pain. Early assessment gives your dog the best chance of staying comfortable, and your vet can tell you whether a supplement suits them alongside other care.

Support the basics alongside the chews

Dosing is only one part of the picture. Supplements sit alongside, not instead of, the everyday things that matter for joints:

• A healthy weight. Keeping your dog lean is one of the most useful things you can do for their joints. Ask your vet for a body condition check.
• Appropriate exercise. Regular, steady walks usually suit stiff dogs better than occasional long ones.
• Comfortable surroundings. Non-slip flooring, a supportive bed and a ramp or step for the car can all make daily life easier.

A simple dosing checklist

If you want the whole thing in one place, work through these steps:

• Weigh your dog and note the date.
• Match the weight to the band on your product's own feeding guide.
• Use only the amount given, and do not top up.
• If there is a loading phase, write down the start date and the date to reduce.
• Give it at the same time every day.
• Keep a diary and short videos for 2 to 3 months before judging.
• Store the pack properly and watch your dog while they chew.
• Tell your vet about every supplement and medication at check-ups.

Getting the dose right is mostly about being careful at the start and consistent afterwards. Once the routine is in place, a daily chew becomes just another part of your dog's day, and your vet is there to help you review how things are going.