Quick answer: there's no single right age. Start a joint supplement when your dog shows early signs of stiffness (after a vet check), when they reach middle or older age, or earlier in adulthood if they're a large breed, prone to hip or elbow problems, or very active. Wait until a puppy has finished growing unless your vet advises otherwise. Be aware that no good trial shows a supplement prevents arthritis in a young, healthy dog; keeping your dog lean has far better evidence. When the time is right, we'd recommend MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews: all six key joint actives in one soft chew, with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Transparency note: this page is written by MedPaw, which makes a joint supplement. Sources are linked so you can check them. Checked 9 October 2026.
When to start: a quick guide
When to consider a joint supplement, by situation
| Your dog | When to consider starting | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy, still growing | Usually not yet, unless your vet advises it | A complete puppy food, sensible exercise, staying lean |
| Large or giant breed, or a breed prone to hip or elbow dysplasia | From young adulthood, once your vet says growth is complete | Weight, controlled exercise, screening results of the parents |
| Working, sporting or very active dog | From adulthood | Warm-ups, fitness, avoiding repetitive high-impact work |
| Middle-aged dog with no signs | A reasonable time to start if you want to | Keeping weight down as activity drops |
| Senior dog | Now: it's not too late | A vet check, pain relief if needed, comfort at home |
| Any age, showing stiffness or limping | After a vet check, alongside their plan | Diagnosis first; a supplement isn't a treatment |
Large and giant breeds grow for longer than small breeds, so ask your vet when your dog has finished growing. More detail: joint supplements for young dogs, large breed puppies, middle-aged dogs and whether it's too late to start an older dog.
Why age is only part of the answer
Arthritis is mainly a disease of ageing. A Royal Veterinary College VetCompass study found 2.5% of UK dogs were diagnosed with osteoarthritis in a year, at an average age of 10.5 years at first diagnosis (RVC). But age wasn't the only factor. Dogs above average weight had 2.3 times the odds, and some breeds, such as Rottweilers, were at much higher risk than crossbreeds. So a heavy Labrador or a Rottweiler may need support years earlier than a lean small crossbreed. See which breeds are most at risk.
Early signs it might be time
- stiffness when getting up, especially after rest or in cold weather
- hesitating before jumping into the car or onto the sofa
- slowing on walks or lagging behind
- sitting or lying down awkwardly
- licking at a joint, or grumpiness when touched
These signs are easy to put down to "just getting old". Read the early signs of joint problems.
When to see a vet instead
A supplement isn't a painkiller. Book a vet visit first if your dog has a limp lasting more than a day or two, a sudden or severe limp, a swollen or hot joint, signs of pain such as yelping or panting at rest, weakness or wobbliness in the back legs, or stiffness with weight loss or lethargy. Your vet can check what's going on and whether pain relief is needed. See when to take a limping dog to the vet.
What matters more than when you start
Weight. In a lifetime study of Labradors, dogs fed to stay lean lived a median 1.8 years longer, and by age 10, 42% had hip arthritis on X-ray compared with 79% of their littermates who ate more (University of Pennsylvania, 2002). No supplement has shown anything close to that. After weight come regular, steady exercise, non-slip flooring, ramps for the car and, as dogs age, physiotherapy or hydrotherapy if your vet suggests it.
Does starting early prevent arthritis?
Honestly, we don't know. The trials of joint supplements are mostly in dogs that already have arthritis, and they look at comfort and mobility, not prevention. A 2022 review of 72 of those trials found the clearest benefit for omega-3, while glucosamine and chondroitin did not relieve pain (Barbeau-Grégoire et al., 2022). The PDSA says joint supplements are "often prescribed for dogs with arthritis, or for those with a high chance of developing it," and that they help some dogs but not all (PDSA).
So starting early in a high-risk adult dog is reasonable, and supplements are safe to give long term, but it's no substitute for keeping your dog lean. Our preventative joint supplement guide covers the early-start approach in more detail.
How MedPaw fits
MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews at a glance
| Main amounts per chew | MSM 185mg, glucosamine 170mg, chondroitin 70mg, green-lipped mussel 70mg, Boswellia 30mg, plus hyaluronic acid |
| Also | Vitamin C 33mg, vitamin E 24 IU, zinc 3mg |
| Format | Soft chicken and bacon flavour chew, given like a treat |
| How many | By weight, doubled for the first three weeks (see the product page) |
| Contains | Mollusc (green-lipped mussel) and gluten (brewer's yeast) |
| Guarantee | 60 days from delivery, for any reason; nothing to send back |
We'd suggest waiting until your dog has finished growing before starting MedPaw. It isn't suitable for dogs with a shellfish allergy, and it's a complementary feed, not a medicine, so ask your vet first if your dog has a health condition or takes medication.
Our recommendation: if your adult dog is starting to slow down, is middle-aged or older, or is a high-risk breed, and your vet has ruled out anything that needs treatment, start MedPaw now rather than waiting. Give it six to eight weeks, and if you're not happy, email us within 60 days for a refund. Try MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews.
For older dogs, see the best joint supplements for senior dogs; if your dog's back legs look thinner, read the best supplement for a dog losing muscle.
At what age should dogs start taking joint supplements?
There's no fixed age. Most owners start when they see early stiffness (after a vet check) or when their dog reaches middle or older age. Large breeds, breeds prone to hip or elbow dysplasia and very active dogs may start in young adulthood, once they've finished growing.
Can puppies have joint supplements?
Usually a growing puppy just needs a complete puppy food and sensible exercise. Don't add supplements to a growing puppy's diet unless your vet recommends one. See our guide to protecting a large breed puppy's joints.
Should I start joint supplements before my dog shows signs?
It's reasonable for high-risk adult dogs, and supplements are safe to give long term, but there's no good evidence that they prevent arthritis. Keeping your dog lean has much stronger evidence.
Is it too late to start joint supplements in an old dog?
No. Most dogs with arthritis are diagnosed as seniors, and the supplement trials studied dogs that already had arthritis. Get a vet check first so any pain is treated, then give a supplement six to eight weeks. Read is it too late to start joint supplements?
When should a Labrador or German Shepherd start joint supplements?
Many owners of large, at-risk breeds start once their dog has finished growing, which your vet can confirm. Keeping them lean matters even more than the supplement.
How do I know my dog needs a joint supplement?
Watch for stiffness after rest, reluctance to jump, slowing on walks and awkward sitting. If you see a limp or signs of pain, see your vet first.
