If you have a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy, or you are about to bring one home, you have probably noticed how quickly they grow. Those long legs seem to lengthen by the week. It is a joy to watch, and it also leaves many owners wondering what they can do now to look after those joints for the years ahead.
The honest answer is that the biggest wins in puppyhood are rarely a supplement. They are choosing a well-screened litter, keeping your puppy lean, feeding a suitable large-breed puppy food and managing exercise sensibly. A joint supplement can have a place later on, but it sits alongside those basics and your vet's advice.
This guide walks through what matters most at each stage of a Ridgeback's life, what the screening results actually tell you, and where a daily joint supplement may fit in.
Choosing a joint chew for a growing Ridgeback
A Ridgeback puppy puts on size at a remarkable pace, and the sensible order of play is a well-screened litter, a lean body, controlled exercise and your vet's guidance. Once those basics are in place, many owners start to look at what a daily joint supplement could add.
MedPaw is our product, so we have set out how it compares with five well-known UK options, using each brand's declared ingredients.
Key joint actives in the UK's leading dog joint supplements
| 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 first row is the one to look at. MedPaw is the only product in the table with all six key joint actives: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. NutraPaw lists four, YuMOVE and Nutraquin+ three, and Seraquin and Synoquin EFA two each.
For a large, athletic hound, that breadth matters. Ridgebacks carry real size and spend their lives running, so a formula that brings several joint-focused ingredients together in one daily soft chew gives your dog broader support for mobility and comfort. Omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed is included too.
The chew format suits a food-motivated hound, and there is a 60-day money-back guarantee, plus Subscribe & Save if you settle into a routine. Support works best over time, with 2-3 months of daily use recommended, alongside your vet's advice on when to begin for your puppy.
MedPaw contains green-lipped mussel, which is a shellfish, along with rapeseed oil and flax seed. If your dog has a shellfish allergy, needs a low-fat diet, is pregnant or nursing, or is still a growing puppy, check with your vet before starting any joint supplement.
Explore MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max See the full ingredient list and feeding guide for a daily soft chew that supports your Ridgeback's joints, mobility and comfort.
Why joints matter for this breed
Ridgebacks are large, athletic hounds. They were bred to track and hold game over long distances, so stamina and speed come naturally. As adults they need plenty of varied exercise every day to stay fit and well.
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and hypothyroidism are among the health problems commonly discussed for the breed. The first two are joint conditions. The third is not, but it can lead to weight gain, and extra weight puts extra load on every joint.
Regular, varied exercise helps keep the muscles around the hips and elbows strong, which is one of the kindest things you can do for your dog's joints. For a puppy, that exercise needs to be balanced with controlled, age-appropriate activity, and we cover that below.
Hip and elbow dysplasia in plain English
Hip dysplasia
The hip is a ball and socket joint. In hip dysplasia, the ball and socket do not develop to fit together snugly. The joint can then wear unevenly, and arthritis may follow in time.
Elbow dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a developmental problem of the elbow joint. It often shows as a stiff front-leg gait or a head nod when walking.
Why puppy owners should care
Both conditions are developmental, so the growing months are the time to take extra care. Genetics play a big part in the risk, but the way a puppy is fed, grown and exercised can influence how comfortably the joints cope. That is encouraging, because it means you have a real part to play.
What the screening results tell you
In the UK, the BVA/Kennel Club schemes score hips and grade elbows. Lower hip scores are better, and the ideal elbow grade is 0. These schemes give breeders and buyers a shared, objective way to compare dogs.
Individual hip scores within a breed can vary widely. That is the key point to remember. A breed average tells you much less than the results of your puppy's own parents, so those are the figures worth asking about.
It is also worth asking about elbows as well as hips. Some owners focus only on hip scores, but elbow grades matter just as much for a large, active breed.
Before you buy: questions to ask the breeder
Good screening starts before your puppy comes home. A responsible breeder should be happy to show you the paperwork.
- Ask to see both parents' hip scores and elbow grades.
- Look for an elbow grade of 0, and ask the breeder how the hip scores compare with the breed average published by the Kennel Club.
- Remember the breed average is only a guide. Individual scores vary widely, so the parents' own results matter more.
Screening cannot guarantee anything for an individual puppy, but it helps you make a better-informed choice.
While your puppy is growing
This is where most of the useful work happens. None of it is complicated, but consistency counts.
- Feed a large-breed puppy food and follow the feeding guide, adjusting for your puppy's body condition. Your vet or vet nurse can show you how to body-condition score at home.
- Keep your puppy lean. Slow, steady growth is kinder to developing joints than rapid growth.
- Offer short bursts of play rather than long, repetitive or high-impact exercise. Avoid forced running, repeated jumping and long hikes while the bones are still developing.
- Weigh regularly and keep a simple log, so changes are spotted early.
- Have any lameness checked by a vet, even if it comes and goes.
It can feel strange to hold back an energetic puppy, but several short play sessions and gentle sniffy walks are far better for a growing Ridgeback than one long, exhausting outing. Soft, varied ground is kinder than endless pavement.
Where a joint supplement fits
A joint supplement is a complementary feed. It supports normal joint function and sits alongside screening, weight control, sensible exercise and veterinary care. It is not a treatment for dysplasia, thyroid disease or any other condition, and it cannot stand in for any of those basics.
Timing for a Ridgeback puppy
Check with your vet before giving any supplement to a growing puppy. Many owners start a daily joint supplement once their Ridgeback has finished growing and is on a full exercise routine. Dogs under 18 months, or those with a diagnosed condition, should always be checked by a vet first.
If either parent had a high hip score or an elbow grade above 0, it may be worth talking to your vet about a supplement earlier in your dog's adult life. That is a conversation for your vet, who knows your dog.
What to look for
- A broad formula, because hips and elbows both need support.
- A daily amount suited to your dog's weight, with a feeding guide you can follow consistently.
- A format your dog will actually take. Ridgebacks are often described as independent and choosy, so a soft chew may suit some dogs better than a tablet or capsule. Many other joint products come as tablets, chewable tablets or capsules, and any of them can work well for a dog that takes them happily.
Consistency matters because joint supplements are designed for daily use over weeks and months, not as an occasional extra.
About MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a daily soft chew, a complementary feed for dogs. Its key joint actives are glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. It also contains omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, vitamins C and E, and zinc, and is made with rapeseed oil and glycerine.
The feeding guide is 1 chew a day up to 4kg, 2 chews for 5 to 17kg, and 2 to 3 chews for 18kg and over, with the amount doubled for the first three weeks. We recommend 2 to 3 months of daily use. There is a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available.
A full-grown Ridgeback falls into the 18kg and over band. That is an adult guide, so please do not use it to work out an amount for a growing puppy without advice from your vet.
When you compare products, it helps to read each label and see which ingredients are listed, what the format is and what guarantee is offered. Some products offer a longer guarantee than ours, and others include ingredients such as turmeric or collagen. Of the products we compared using each manufacturer's published information, MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is the only one listing all six of the key joint actives above. That describes what is on the label, not how well any product works for an individual dog, so your vet is the best person to help you choose.
Looking after joints from puppy to senior
Joint care is a lifelong job, and what your dog needs changes as they get older. The table below gives a general picture.
Joint care priorities at each life stage
| Life stage | Main focus | Practical steps |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | Lean, steady growth | Large-breed puppy food, short bursts of play, regular weigh-ins, no forced or high-impact exercise |
| Prime adult | Fitness and healthy weight | Plenty of varied daily exercise, regular weigh-ins, a joint supplement if your vet agrees |
| Later years | Comfort and easy movement | Shorter, more frequent walks, a supportive bed, rugs or runners for grip, a ramp for the car |
For guidance only, not a diagnosis.
In the prime adult years, keeping your Ridgeback fit and lean does a great deal of good. Extra weight is one of the few joint risk factors you can influence day by day, so regular weigh-ins are well worth the effort.
In later years, small changes at home make a real difference. Rugs on smooth floors give grip, a supportive bed helps tired joints rest comfortably, and a ramp saves your dog from jumping into the car.
When to see a vet
You know your dog best. If something about the way they move seems different, trust that instinct and ask your vet. The guide below shows how to think about urgency. It is not a diagnosis.
How quickly to speak to your vet
Raise it at the next check
You are planning a supplement, or you want advice on diet, weight or exercise for a growing puppy. Mention it at a routine visit or ring for a chat.
Book an appointment
Limping that comes and goes, a stiff front-leg gait or head nod, reluctance to play, hesitating at stairs or the car, a change in how they run, or unexplained weight gain or lethargy.
Contact your vet promptly
Constant lameness, crying out, licking at a joint, resisting touch around the hips or elbows, or difficulty getting up.
Weight gain that is hard to explain, or difficulty losing weight, together with tiredness, can be signs of hypothyroidism. It is not a joint condition, but many affected dogs do well with veterinary care, so it is well worth having checked.
Please speak to your vet before starting any supplement if your dog is still growing or under 18 months, is on medication, or has a diagnosed condition. A supplement supports normal joint function. It does not replace diagnosis, screening or treatment.
The short version for Ridgeback owners
Start with the parents' hip scores and elbow grades, then focus on lean growth, a suitable large-breed puppy diet and sensible, short bursts of exercise. Keep an eye on your dog's weight throughout life, and have any lameness checked.
Once your Ridgeback is fully grown and your vet is happy, a daily joint supplement for Rhodesian Ridgebacks can be one more supportive step. Choose one with clear ingredients and a feeding guide you can stick to, and give it the daily consistency it needs. Joint care is a long game, and small, steady habits add up over the years.
When should I start a joint supplement for my Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy?
There is no single date that suits every puppy, so please ask your vet before starting any supplement while your Ridgeback is still growing. Many owners wait until their dog has finished growing and is on a full exercise routine. The basics matter most in puppyhood: a well-screened litter, a lean body condition, a suitable large-breed puppy food and sensible exercise.
Can I give MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max to a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy?
The printed feeding guide is 1 chew a day up to 4kg, 2 chews for 5 to 17kg, and 2 to 3 chews for 18kg and over, with the amount doubled for the first three weeks. We have no minimum age to point you to on the label, so please ask your vet before starting a growing puppy. Your vet can also advise on whether a supplement makes sense at all at this stage.
How many chews would a part-grown Ridgeback of about 18kg need?
On the printed label, a dog of 18kg and over has 2 to 3 chews a day, doubled for the first three weeks. The same band applies to a full-grown Ridgeback. Please do not work out an amount for a growing puppy on your own, as your vet knows your dog's age, weight and growth.
What hip and elbow results should I ask the breeder for?
Ask to see both parents' BVA/Kennel Club hip scores and elbow grades. Lower hip scores are better and the ideal elbow grade is 0. Individual scores vary widely within the breed, so the parents' own results tell you more than the breed average. Screening cannot guarantee anything for an individual puppy, but it helps you make a better-informed choice.
How should I exercise a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy?
Short bursts of play and gentle sniffy walks on soft, varied ground suit a growing Ridgeback better than one long, tiring outing. Avoid forced running, repeated jumping and long hikes while the bones are still developing. If you notice any limping, even if it comes and goes, book a check with your vet.
How does MedPaw compare with other joint supplements for a Ridgeback?
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a soft chew listing glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia serrata. Other products may differ on format, ingredients such as turmeric or collagen, or guarantee length, and some offer a longer guarantee than our 60 days. Read each manufacturer's label and ask your vet which suits your dog, as a supplement supports normal joint function and does not replace veterinary care.
