You gave it a fair go, and your dog still seems stiff on the stairs or slow to get up. It is natural to wonder whether the product is the problem. Searching "Pooch & Mutt not working" usually comes from a worried place, and that deserves a calm, practical answer rather than a quick verdict.
Here is the honest starting point. We do not hold verified details about the formula, format, feeding amounts or guarantee of any Pooch & Mutt product, so we will not guess at them. What we can do is help you work out what "not working" might mean for your dog, what to check, and when it is time to talk to your vet.
Whatever you are feeding, the same sensible approach applies. Check the label, give it the time the manufacturer recommends, look at the whole picture, and bring your vet in when something does not feel right.
Before you switch: how your joint supplement compares
If you are weighing up what to do after Pooch & Mutt, it helps to see what a joint supplement can actually list on its label. The table below compares MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max, which is our own product, with five other well-known UK options.
Pooch & Mutt is not one of the five. Its own pack or UK product page is the reliable place to check what it declares, so you can hold it up against the table.
UK dog joint supplements compared, ingredient by ingredient
| 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 six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. MedPaw is the only product in the table with all six in one formula. The next highest, NutraPaw, lists four.
If your dog still seems stiff, a wider range of actives gives them more support from one daily chew. It sits alongside the weight, diet, exercise and vet advice that matter just as much.
MedPaw is a soft chew, so it suits dogs who are fussy about tablets. The label recommends 2-3 months of daily use, with the amount doubled for the first three weeks. A 60-day money-back guarantee covers that whole window, and Subscribe & Save is available.
See MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max If you decide to try a different supplement, you can read the full feeding guide and ingredients for the soft chew here.
First, what do you mean by "not working"?
People searching this phrase usually mean one of three things, and each has a different next step.
- You cannot see any change in your dog's mobility since starting a Pooch & Mutt product. This is the most common worry, and most of this article is about it.
- You have a problem with an order, a delivery or the website. That is a customer service question rather than a joint one, and we cover it briefly below.
- Your dog is still struggling despite a change of food or the addition of a supplement. Here the bigger picture matters more than any single product.
Knowing which of these applies stops you changing things at random, which makes it harder to see what is helping and what is not.
Check the label before anything else
Our sources do not describe the ingredients, format, daily amount or guarantee of any Pooch & Mutt joint product. The most reliable reference is the current label on the pack in your hand, or the manufacturer's own product page. Formulas, pack sizes and feeding guides can change over time, so older information you remember may no longer apply.
When you read it, look for these things:
- Is it a joint supplement, a complete food or a treat? These are different products, and it is fair to expect different things from each.
- What is the daily amount for your dog's current weight?
- How long does the manufacturer suggest feeding it before you judge it?
- Are there any storage or feeding instructions you may have missed?
If anything is unclear, the manufacturer's customer team can answer product questions. The pack and the manufacturer's website are also quick places to look first.
A supplement supports, and your vet leads
It helps to be realistic about what a joint supplement is. It is a complementary feed, designed to support joint comfort and mobility as one part of a wider routine. That routine includes a suitable diet, a healthy weight, sensible exercise and regular veterinary care.
A supplement is not a replacement for a diagnosis. If your dog's movement changes, the first question is what is causing it, and only a vet can answer that. Slowing down is not always a joint problem, so please do not assume it is a product problem either.
Common reasons you might not see a change
These are general, everyday reasons rather than proven causes. Treat them as questions to ask yourself, not conclusions.
Questions to ask if you cannot see a difference
| Possible reason | What to check | Who can help |
|---|---|---|
| Not enough time yet | The length of use the label recommends | Manufacturer's customer team |
| Inconsistent feeding | Missed days, or a dog leaving part of a portion | You, with a simple tick chart |
| Amount not matched to weight | Whether your dog has gained or lost weight since you started | Your vet or vet nurse |
| Another cause for the stiffness | Spine, paws, nails, muscles or ligaments | Your vet |
| Changes in routine | New walks, different surfaces, recent injury, cold damp weather | You, using a diary |
| Small changes are easy to miss | Your own memory of how things used to be | You, using notes and videos |
For guidance only, not a diagnosis.
The first row catches many owners out. Most joint supplements are fed daily over weeks or months before anyone judges them, and the right timeframe is whatever the manufacturer states for that product. Judging after a few days can feel discouraging when the product was never meant to be assessed that quickly.
A practical plan you can start this week
Keep a simple mobility diary
Our memories are poor at tracking slow change, especially when we see our dogs every day. For two to four weeks, jot down a few notes each day or every few days.
- How easily your dog gets up after a rest
- Willingness to use stairs or jump into the car
- How far a walk goes before they slow down or stop
- Stiffness first thing in the morning or after exercise
- Any yelping, licking at a joint or reluctance to be touched
Short videos of your dog walking and trotting on the same route every couple of weeks are even better. They help you see changes, and they give your vet something useful to look at.
Look at weight and body condition
Extra weight puts extra load on joints, so this is one of the most practical things you can do for your dog's comfort. Ask your vet or vet nurse to check your dog's body condition score and to suggest a target weight and portion sizes. It is a simple step, and a really useful one.
Adjust exercise sensibly
Regular, steady walks usually suit a stiff dog better than the occasional long one. If your dog seems sore, it is kinder to ease off repetitive ball chasing, sudden twisting and rough play.
- Choose shorter, more frequent lead walks on even ground.
- Start with a calm warm-up walk before anything livelier.
- Ask your vet whether hydrotherapy or physiotherapy might suit your dog.
Make your home easier on their joints
Small changes around the house can make daily life more comfortable for your dog.
- Put non-slip rugs or runners on laminate, tile and wooden floors.
- Use a ramp or steps for the car and the sofa.
- Give them a thick, supportive bed in a warm, draught-free spot.
- Keep nails trimmed and the fur between paw pads tidy so they get better grip.
- If bending to eat looks uncomfortable, ask your vet whether raised bowls would suit.
Be consistent, then review with your vet
If your vet is happy for your dog to have a joint supplement, give it consistently for the period the label recommends. Then sit down with your diary and videos and review progress together. Try not to change several things at once, because it becomes impossible to tell what is helping.
Comparing supplements fairly
Joint products differ in their ingredients, their format (chews, tablets, capsules or powders) and their guarantee terms. What suits one dog may not suit another, and a dog may simply prefer one format because it is easier to give. We do not hold information on Pooch & Mutt's formula, so please check its current label for exactly what it contains.
For reference only, MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a separate product. It is a daily soft chew and a complementary feed, with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. It also includes omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, vitamins C and E, and zinc. Feeding 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, with 2 to 3 months of daily use recommended. It has a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available. None of this describes any Pooch & Mutt product.
Whichever product you choose, the same principles hold. Read the label, feed it consistently, allow the recommended time, and keep your vet involved.
If the problem is an order or delivery
If "not working" really means a parcel has gone astray or a delivery has not arrived, that is a separate matter. Your confirmation email is the best place to start, as it should have the order details and any tracking information. For anything else about an order, the manufacturer's customer team can help directly.
When to see your vet
A supplement is never a substitute for a veterinary examination. Some signs deserve prompt attention, and waiting to see whether a product starts to help is not the right plan for them.
How quickly should you act?
Mild, gradual stiffness
Slower to get going after rest, but still eating, playing and walking willingly. Mention it at your next vet visit and start your diary.
Changes in what your dog will do
Reluctance to climb stairs, jump or walk as far, a limp lasting more than a day or two, or restlessness at night. Book a vet appointment.
Sudden or severe signs
Crying out in pain, a hot or swollen joint, dragging the back feet, hind leg weakness, collapse or sudden loss of mobility. Contact your vet straight away.
Other reasons to call include snapping or flinching when touched, loss of appetite, unusual lethargy, or a change in mood. Please never give human painkillers to your dog, as many are dangerous to dogs.
Speak to your vet before starting any supplement if your dog takes prescription medication, has a long-term health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or is a puppy. Your vet can advise what is suitable and whether an examination or imaging is needed.
Questions to take to your vet
It can be hard to think clearly in a short appointment, so a list helps. Here are some good ones to bring along with your diary and videos.
- Is my dog's stiffness likely to be joint related, or could something else be going on?
- What is my dog's body condition score, and what weight should we aim for?
- Is a joint supplement suitable for my dog, given any medication or health conditions?
- How much exercise is right for them at the moment?
- Would physiotherapy or hydrotherapy be worth considering?
- When should we review how things are going?
If a product has not seemed to help, that is not a failure on your part. It is useful information, and the steps above will help you and your vet decide what to try next, so your dog can stay as comfortable as possible.
How long should I give Pooch & Mutt before deciding it is not working?
The right timeframe is whatever the manufacturer states on the current label or product page, so check that first. Most joint supplements are fed daily over weeks or months before anyone judges them, and a few days is rarely enough. A simple mobility diary and short videos every couple of weeks will help you see slow changes that are easy to miss.
What should I check on the Pooch & Mutt label if I cannot see a difference?
Check that it is a joint supplement rather than a food or treat, what the daily amount is for your dog's current weight, and how long the manufacturer suggests feeding it. We do not hold verified details of Pooch & Mutt's formula, so the pack in your hand or the manufacturer's own page is the most reliable source. If anything is unclear, their customer team can answer product questions.
Could my dog's stiffness be something other than a joint problem?
Yes. Slowing down can come from the spine, paws, nails, muscles or ligaments, and only a vet can tell you the cause. A supplement is a complementary feed that supports joint comfort and mobility as part of a wider routine, so it is not a substitute for a diagnosis. If your dog's movement has changed, please book an appointment.
Does my dog's weight affect whether a joint supplement seems to help?
Extra weight puts extra load on the joints, and the daily amount on most labels is matched to body weight. If your dog has gained or lost weight since you started, it is worth rechecking the feeding guide. Your vet or vet nurse can check body condition score and suggest a target weight and portion sizes.
If I switch supplement, what should I look at when comparing?
Compare the declared ingredients, the format (chew, tablet or capsule), the daily amount for your dog's weight, the cost per day and the guarantee terms. For reference, MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a soft chew with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata, with a 60-day money-back guarantee. At 20kg the label says 2 to 3 chews a day, doubled for the first three weeks, with 2 to 3 months of daily use recommended. Please speak to your vet first if your dog takes medication or has a health condition.
When should I see a vet rather than wait for a supplement to work?
Contact your vet promptly for a limp lasting more than a day or two, reluctance to climb stairs or jump, a hot or swollen joint, crying out in pain, or hind leg weakness. Sudden or severe signs need urgent attention. Please never give human painkillers to your dog, as many are dangerous to them.
