Quick answer: the biggest problem with Riaflex is that there's so little independent evidence to go on. Its main Trustpilot profile has just 10 reviews, and the two negative ones describe a dog with an upset stomach and a limp that came back after switching. On top of that, Joint Plus HA is a powder some dogs don't like the taste of, Joint Plus Pro has no published feeding guide, and the money-back guarantee is limited to first-time customers who phone first and post the tub back at their own cost. Riaflex's 3.5 out of 5 rests on too few reviews to tell you much. If any of that puts you off, we'd recommend trying MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews instead: a soft chew dogs take like a treat, with all six key joint actives, a subscription you can pause or cancel any time, and a 60-day money-back guarantee with nothing to send back.
Transparency note: this page is written by MedPaw, which makes a competing joint supplement. Reviews are summarised in our own words, with review headlines quoted word for word and links so you can check them. Ratings and terms were checked on 8 October 2026.
The most common Riaflex complaints and drawbacks
We read every visible review on Riaflex's Trustpilot profile (nine of the ten, covering dog and horse products) and checked Riaflex's own product, guarantee and subscription pages. With so few reviews, these are individual experiences and our own reading of the small print rather than proven patterns.
Riaflex complaints and drawbacks (our review, 8 October 2026)
| Complaint | How often | What reviewers said or what we found |
|---|---|---|
| Very few reviews | Applies to every buyer | 10 reviews on the main Trustpilot profile, none on the riaflex.co.uk profile, and no ratings at the one retailer we checked |
| Upset stomach | 1 of 2 negative reviews | Sickness and wind after starting Joint Plus HA, even at smaller doses |
| Dog doesn't like the taste | Both negative reviews | The powder's taste made it hard to give the full dose |
| No difference | 1 of 2 negative reviews | A limp returned within two weeks of switching, so the owner went back to their old product |
| No reply | 1 of 2 negative reviews | Emails to the company went unanswered; Trustpilot notes Riaflex hasn't replied to negative reviews |
| Restrictive guarantee | Applies to every buyer | First-time customers only, certain sizes only, phone first, return the tub at your own cost |
"Digestive upsets galore"
That's the headline of a 1 star review from July 2025. The owner says their dog was sick and had wind after starting Canine Joint Plus HA, even on a smaller amount, that the taste of the powder made it hard to give the full dose, and that their emails to Riaflex went unanswered. A second 1 star review, headed "Disappointing" (May 2025), describes a dog's limp coming back within two weeks of switching to Riaflex, and a dog that didn't like the taste either.
Powder format and missing guidance
- It's a powder. Both Riaflex joint products are powders you mix into wet food or onto damp kibble. Fussy eaters can pick around it, which is exactly what both negative reviewers describe.
- No feeding guide for Joint Plus Pro. Its product page has a "Recommended daily levels" heading with no amounts underneath, so you'd have to ask Riaflex how much to give (Joint Plus Pro page).
- Figures that don't agree. Joint Plus HA lists 1.1g hyaluronic acid per 100g, but Riaflex's per-day figures for a medium dog showed just 4.4mg, when our own calculation from the per-100g figure gives roughly 55mg in two scoops.
- No green-lipped mussel or Boswellia in Joint Plus HA. It lists glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid only (Joint Plus HA page).
The guarantee catch
Riaflex advertises a 6-week money-back guarantee, but the terms are much narrower than the headline. It only covers Joint Plus HA (200g and 400g) and Joint Plus Pro (400g) bought direct from riaflex.co.uk, only first-time customers can claim, and it's one claim per household. You must phone first within 70 days of delivery, send back the tub even if it's empty (so you can't throw it away), and pay the return postage yourself. Original delivery charges aren't refunded either (Riaflex guarantee terms). Subscriptions can't be cancelled less than 24 hours before the next dispatch (subscriptions page).
Why Riaflex customers switch to MedPaw
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews differ from Riaflex on exactly the points above.
Riaflex vs MedPaw on the things reviewers complain about
| The complaint | Riaflex | MedPaw |
|---|---|---|
| Dog doesn't like the taste | Powder mixed into food | Soft chicken and bacon chew, given from your hand like a treat |
| Getting your money back | 6 weeks; first-time customers and certain sizes only; phone first; return the tub at your own cost | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; email us and keep the tub |
| Knowing how much to give | No published feeding guide for Joint Plus Pro | 1 chew a day up to 4kg, 2 for 5 to 17kg, 2 to 3 for 18kg and over |
| Knowing what's in it | Joint Plus HA: glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid; no green-lipped mussel or Boswellia | All six key joint actives, with the main amounts per chew on the label: MSM 185mg, glucosamine 170mg, chondroitin 70mg, green-lipped mussel 70mg, Boswellia 30mg, plus hyaluronic acid |
| Cancelling the subscription | Not within 24 hours of the next dispatch | Pause, change or cancel any time from your account, or just email us |
Our recommendation: if your dog turns its nose up at powder, you've not seen a difference with Riaflex, or you want a guarantee without hoops to jump through, switch to MedPaw. Swap rather than stack: stop Riaflex and start MedPaw the next day. Give it six to eight weeks, and if you're not happy, email us within 60 days and we'll refund you. Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews.
Riaflex's rating, in context
Riaflex Ltd is rated 3.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot from just 10 reviews (checked 8 October 2026). That profile covers horse as well as dog products: of the nine reviews we could see, one was about a horse and one was from someone who hadn't used the product yet, leaving seven about dogs, the oldest from 2020. The riaflex.co.uk profile has no reviews at all. Riaflex says it has "1000+ verified reviews" on its own site, but we couldn't see them, and reviews hosted by a brand aren't independent. With so few public reviews, a single customer moves the score, so it can't tell you much about how Riaflex will work for your dog.
To be fair to Riaflex, most of the reviews it does have are positive, particularly from owners of older and large-breed dogs, several praise its personal phone service, and Joint Plus HA lists high amounts of glucosamine, MSM and chondroitin with no loading phase.
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.
Our verdict
Riaflex is a small British brand with very little independent review evidence, a powder format that some dogs won't eat, a missing feeding guide on its Pro formula, and a guarantee hedged with conditions. The negative reviews it does have describe an upset stomach, a dog that wouldn't take it and a limp that came back. If that's put you off, MedPaw is the alternative we'd recommend. For more on the ingredients, read our guides to glucosamine and chondroitin and green-lipped mussel for dogs, or compare formats in tablets, powders or chews.
What are the most common complaints about Riaflex?
There are only a handful of public reviews. The two negative Trustpilot reviews describe an upset stomach and wind, a dog that didn't like the taste of the powder, a limp that returned after switching, and emails that went unanswered. Other drawbacks are the lack of a feeding guide for Joint Plus Pro and a guarantee limited to first-time customers.
Is Riaflex any good?
Riaflex has a 3.5 Trustpilot rating from just 10 reviews, so there isn't enough independent evidence to say. Most of those reviews are positive, but the negative ones mention stomach upset, taste and a lack of results. If those are your concerns, MedPaw is a soft chew alternative with a 60-day money-back guarantee and a subscription you can cancel any time.
Does Riaflex have a money-back guarantee?
Yes, a 6-week guarantee, but only for first-time customers buying Joint Plus HA (200g or 400g) or Joint Plus Pro (400g) direct from riaflex.co.uk. You phone first, claim within 70 days of delivery and return the tub, even if empty, at your own cost. MedPaw's guarantee lasts 60 days and you don't need to send anything back.
Does Riaflex have side effects?
One Trustpilot reviewer reported sickness and wind after starting Joint Plus HA. Joint Plus Pro contains green-lipped mussel, and Riaflex says it isn't suitable for dogs on a low phosphorus or low purine diet. If your dog has stomach problems on any supplement, stop and speak to your vet.
What's the best alternative to Riaflex?
If your dog won't eat powder, you haven't seen a difference, or you want a simpler guarantee, we'd recommend MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews: a soft chew with all six key joint actives and a 60-day money-back guarantee. Swap rather than stack, and give it six to eight weeks.
Can I switch from Riaflex to MedPaw straight away?
Yes. Stop Riaflex and start MedPaw the next day. There's no need for a gap, and you shouldn't give both. Check with your vet first if your dog takes any medication.
