Quick answer: we couldn't find any owner reports of side effects from the tails.com joint supplement, but there are very few reviews of it at all. tails.com's own guidance is more specific than most: it says dogs with pancreatitis shouldn't take its supplements, that Dalmatians and dogs managed for Leishmania should see a vet first because of high-purine ingredients, that the chews aren't for puppies under 14 weeks, and that they contain gluten and molluscs. If the tails.com chews haven't suited your dog, we'd recommend trying MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews instead, with a 60-day money-back guarantee if they don't suit either.
Transparency note: this page is written by MedPaw, which makes a competing joint supplement. tails.com's guidance comes from its own help centre and shop, linked so you can check it. Everything was checked on 8 October 2026.
What tails.com says about who shouldn't have it
The joint chews are a complementary pet food, not a medicine, so they don't come with a list of side effects. But tails.com's supplement suitability article (updated 3 August 2026) and shop page say:
- Pancreatitis: dogs with pancreatitis should not take the supplements. The joint chew is 11% fat.
- High-purine ingredients: Dalmatians, and dogs managed for Leishmania, should be checked with a vet first.
- Puppies: not suitable under 14 weeks.
- Pregnant or nursing dogs: check with your vet before feeding.
- Medication: speak to your vet first. Diabetic dogs are usually suitable, but check with a vet.
- Other supplements: "Please check with your vet before feeding multiple supplements".
- Swallowing: dogs that struggle to swallow may have difficulty with the chews.
- Other conditions: for dogs with cancer, heart failure or another health condition, speak to your vet before buying.
What owners actually report
There's very little to go on. The tails.com shop page for the chews shows "(No reviews yet)". Searching tails.com's Trustpilot reviews for "joint", "supplement" and "chews", we found one review that clearly described the joint chews, and it was positive. None mentioned a reaction to them.
Side effects in the tails.com joint chew reviews we found
| Reported effect | How often |
|---|---|
| Stomach upset, diarrhoea or vomiting | None found |
| Itching or skin reaction | None found |
| Refusing the chew | None found |
No reports isn't the same as no side effects: with hardly any reviews, there simply isn't enough feedback to say how often problems happen. For the wider picture, see our tails.com joint supplement reviews.
tails.com joint chew allergens and ingredients to check
The shop page says "Contains gluten and molluscs" and "Made without grain, in a site that handles grain." Based on the ingredient list and the suitability article:
Common allergens in the tails.com joint chew
| Allergen | In the tails.com chew? |
|---|---|
| Mollusc | Yes, green-lipped mussel (6%) |
| Gluten | Yes, according to the label; tails.com says it comes from brewer's yeast |
| Yeast | Yes (19%) |
| Legumes | Chickpea flour (23.27%); the suitability article also lists pea protein |
| Chicken, beef or pork | Not listed; bacon flavouring and a vegetable palatant are listed |
| Fish or krill | Not listed |
| Shellfish (crustacean) | Not listed, but the source of the glucosamine isn't stated |
The two tails.com sources don't fully agree: the suitability article lists pea protein, but the shop's ingredient list doesn't. If your dog has a food allergy, check the pack you actually receive. For the full list, see what's in the tails.com joint chews.
When to stop and call your vet
- Vomiting or diarrhoea that lasts more than a day, or blood in either
- Your dog goes off their food, becomes lethargic or seems to have tummy pain (especially if they've had pancreatitis before)
- Itching, hives, facial swelling or breathing trouble (call straight away)
- Your dog is on other medicines, is diabetic, pregnant or nursing, or has a known food allergy
Any supplement can upset some dogs' stomachs, including ours. For more, read our general guide to joint supplement side effects in dogs, or joint supplements for a dog with pancreatitis.
Why tails.com customers switch to MedPaw
We'll be straight: MedPaw also contains mollusc (green-lipped mussel) and gluten (brewer's yeast), and it's a chicken and bacon flavour chew, so it isn't the answer for those allergies. Where it differs is in what's in it, how clearly it's labelled and what happens if it doesn't suit.
tails.com Joint Support vs MedPaw
| The issue | tails.com Joint Support | MedPaw |
|---|---|---|
| If it doesn't suit your dog | No money-back guarantee we could find; returns within 7 working days | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; email us and keep the tub |
| Knowing what's in each dose | Percentages only | Main amounts per chew on the label |
| What's in it | Glucosamine, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, turmeric | All six key joint actives (glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, Boswellia) |
| Allergens | Gluten and molluscs; allergen lists differ between tails.com's pages | Contains mollusc and gluten; not suitable for a shellfish allergy |
Our recommendation: if the tails.com chews didn't agree with your dog, or you want a clearer label and a guarantee before you try something new, switch to MedPaw, as long as your dog has no shellfish or gluten allergy and your vet is happy. Wait until any upset has settled, then start MedPaw. If it doesn't suit, email bark@medpaw.co.uk within 60 days of delivery for a refund. Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews.
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.
More on tails.com: MedPaw vs tails.com and how to cancel a tails.com subscription.
Does the tails.com joint supplement have side effects?
We found no owner reports of side effects, but there are very few reviews of the chews. tails.com says dogs with pancreatitis shouldn't have its supplements, and that dogs on medication or with other health conditions should see a vet first.
Can a dog with pancreatitis have the tails.com joint chews?
No. tails.com's own suitability guidance says dogs with pancreatitis should not take its supplements. Speak to your vet about joint support for a dog with pancreatitis.
Why does tails.com warn about Dalmatians?
tails.com says its supplements contain high-purine ingredients, so Dalmatians and dogs managed for Leishmania should be checked with a vet first. Dalmatians are prone to urate stones, and purines can matter for those dogs.
Does the tails.com joint supplement contain gluten?
Yes. The shop page says it contains gluten and molluscs, and tails.com says the gluten comes from brewer's yeast. MedPaw also contains gluten from brewer's yeast.
What should I try if the tails.com chews upset my dog?
Let your dog's stomach settle first and speak to your vet if it doesn't. Then you could try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews, a soft chew with all six key joint actives and a 60-day money-back guarantee. It contains mollusc and gluten, so it isn't suitable for dogs with a shellfish or gluten allergy.
Can I switch from the tails.com joint supplement to MedPaw straight away?
Yes, if your dog is well. Stop the tails.com chews and start MedPaw the next day, and don't give both. If the chews upset your dog's stomach, wait until it has settled first. Check with your vet if your dog takes any medication.
