Quick answer: the main drawbacks with Synoquin are how little you can check and how long it takes to get going. VetPlus doesn't publish the amount of each ingredient per tablet on its UK pages, there are very few public reviews (14 ratings on eBay, and 2 on VetPlus's Trustpilot page, both about a different product), the loading phase runs for six weeks at up to 4 tablets a day, and there's no money-back guarantee from VetPlus. Owners have also complained that the capsules are hard to give and that it's expensive, and it contains krill and pork liver flavouring. If any of that sounds familiar, we'd recommend trying MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews instead: a soft chew dogs take like a treat, with the amount of each main active on the label, a three-week loading phase, 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 quoted word for word with links so you can check them. Ratings and quotes were checked on 8 October 2026.
The most common Synoquin complaints and drawbacks
We found very few negative reviews of Synoquin itself, so this is based on a small sample of around 15 reviews and forum posts, plus the practical drawbacks in VetPlus's own dosing guide. It shows what came up, not how common each issue is.
Synoquin complaints and drawbacks (our small sample and VetPlus's guidance)
| Complaint | How often | What reviewers said |
|---|---|---|
| Amounts not published | VetPlus's UK pages | Glucosamine, chondroitin and krill are listed, but not how much of each is in a tablet |
| Very few reviews | Every source we checked | 14 ratings on eBay, 2 Trustpilot reviews about a different VetPlus product, none at VetUK |
| Capsules hard to give | Two reviews | Capsules are harder to give than the chewable tablets, and one owner was sent capsules instead of tablets for an elderly dog who couldn't swallow them |
| Long, costly loading phase | Built into the dosing guide | Six weeks at 2 to 4 tablets a day; a 120-tablet medium tub runs out before the loading phase ends |
| Price | A forum discussion | Expensive compared with general glucosamine supplements, especially for large dogs during the loading phase |
| No money-back guarantee | None from VetPlus | VetPlus doesn't sell direct, so returns depend on the vet or retailer you buy from |
Sources: eBay reviews, VetPlus on Trustpilot, a VetMediUK Feefo review and an Omlet forum thread. Frequencies are from a small sample.
"A nightmare to give them"
Synoquin comes as both chewable tablets and capsules in each size, and the two owners who mentioned capsules weren't happy:
- The chewy tablets seemed to have been replaced with capsules, which are "A nightmare to give them." (eBay reviewer, February 2017)
- One owner ordering for an elderly dog who couldn't swallow capsules was sent capsules instead of tablets (VetMediUK, Feefo).
Check which version you're ordering. Older packs and many listings also still say "Synoquin EFA", while VetPlus's current UK pages call it simply "Synoquin".
"It's £62.50 for 120 tablets !"
Price came up in an owner forum discussion, especially for large dogs during the loading phase:
- "It's £62.50 for 120 tablets !" (Chickabee, Omlet forum, June 2014)
- "Synoquin can be expensive and not pure." (lillybettybabs, Omlet forum, June 2014)
VetPlus recommends a six-week loading programme of 2 tablets a day for small dogs, 3 for medium and large dogs up to 40kg, and 4 for dogs over 40kg (VetPlus medium breed page). A 120-tablet medium tub at 3 a day lasts 40 days, so it runs out just before the loading phase ends. Using Pets at Home's listed prices (via Trolley), the loading phase costs nearer £49 a month for a 25kg dog.
What's in it? VetPlus doesn't say
VetPlus lists glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 from krill as the key ingredients, but its UK pages don't give amounts per tablet. The only figures we found were from a New Zealand retailer, Vetpost, which we couldn't confirm for UK packs, and the amount of EPA and DHA from the krill isn't published anywhere. VetPlus also calls Synoquin "clinically proven", but its product pages don't cite a study, so we couldn't check it.
Allergens matter too: krill is a crustacean, so Synoquin isn't suitable for dogs with a shellfish allergy, the tablets contain pork liver flavouring, and VetPlus's pages don't carry an allergen warning.
The guarantee catch
We found no manufacturer money-back guarantee or subscription. VetPlus doesn't sell direct, so if Synoquin doesn't work for your dog, returns and repeat orders depend on the vet or retailer you bought it from.
Why Synoquin customers switch to MedPaw
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews differ from Synoquin on exactly the points that make it hard to give and hard to check.
Synoquin vs MedPaw on the complaints and drawbacks
| The complaint | Synoquin | MedPaw |
|---|---|---|
| Knowing what's in it | Amounts not published on VetPlus's UK pages; no MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid or Boswellia listed | 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 |
| Dog won't take tablets or capsules | Pork liver flavoured chewable tablet, or capsule | Soft chicken and bacon chew, given from your hand like a treat |
| Loading phase | Six weeks at 2 to 4 tablets a day | Double for just the first three weeks |
| Getting your money back | None from VetPlus; depends on the seller | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; email us and keep the tub |
| Subscription | None from VetPlus; depends on the seller | Pause, change or cancel any time from your account, or just email us |
Our recommendation: if your dog fights you over tablets or capsules, you want to see how much of each main active is in a dose, or you'd like a guarantee in case it doesn't suit your dog, switch to MedPaw. Swap rather than stack: stop Synoquin 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.
Synoquin's rating, in context
Synoquin's best-known rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 14 ratings on eBay, with 9 written reviews dated 2017 to 2026, and that's for the small breed capsules only (checked 8 October 2026). VetPlus's own Trustpilot page scores 3.2 from just 2 reviews, both about Aprylic, a different product, and VetUK shows no product reviews. Synoquin is mainly sold through vets, VetPlus doesn't sell it direct, and Trustpilot notes VetPlus hasn't been inviting reviews, so a high score from 14 ratings tells you very little about how the tablets most dogs get will work for yours.
To be fair to Synoquin, the owner reviews that exist are positive, it contains omega-3 from krill, which MedPaw doesn't, and once the loading phase is over it's cheaper per month than MedPaw for most dogs.
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
Synoquin's weak spot isn't bad reviews; it's how little you can check. Amounts aren't published on VetPlus's UK pages, there are very few reviews, the loading phase is long and costly, capsules can be a struggle, and there's no manufacturer guarantee. If that's where you are, MedPaw is the alternative we'd recommend. For more, read our Synoquin alternatives guide, or our YuMOVE reviews if you're also weighing up YuMOVE.
More on Synoquin: MedPaw vs Synoquin, a side-by-side comparison.
What are the most common complaints about Synoquin?
There are very few negative reviews. Owners have complained that the capsules are hard to give and that it's expensive, especially during the six-week loading phase. The bigger drawbacks are that VetPlus doesn't publish amounts per tablet on its UK pages, there are very few public reviews, there's no manufacturer money-back guarantee, and it contains krill and pork liver flavouring.
Is Synoquin any good?
The few public reviews are positive: the small breed capsules average 4.8 out of 5 from 14 ratings on eBay. But that's a very small sample, and with no amounts published on VetPlus's UK pages it's hard to check what your dog is getting. If you want a soft chew with the main amounts on the label and a 60-day money-back guarantee, MedPaw is the alternative we'd recommend.
Is Synoquin EFA the same as Synoquin?
Yes. Older packs and many listings say Synoquin EFA. VetPlus's current UK pages call it Synoquin, still with glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 from krill. We found no announcement of a formula change.
How many Synoquin tablets should my dog have?
For the first six weeks: 2 a day for small dogs, 3 for medium and large dogs up to 40kg, and 4 over 40kg. After that, 1 tablet of the right size a day, or 2 for dogs over 40kg.
What's the best alternative to Synoquin?
If your dog won't take tablets or capsules, you want to see how much of each main active is in a dose, or you want a guarantee, we'd recommend MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews: a soft chew given like a treat, all six key joint actives with the main amounts on the label, a three-week loading phase and a 60-day money-back guarantee with nothing to send back. Swap rather than stack, and give it six to eight weeks.
Can I switch from Synoquin to MedPaw straight away?
Yes. Stop Synoquin 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.
