If your Yorkie has started to skip mid-walk, holding one back leg up for a few steps before carrying on as if nothing happened, it is easy to feel anxious. That little hop is one of the most common signs of a luxating patella, often called a slipping kneecap. It is a well-known condition in small dogs, and many dogs live comfortably with it.
This guide explains what is going on in the knee, how vets usually approach it, and what you can do at home. We also look honestly at where a joint supplement fits, and just as importantly, where it does not.
Choosing a joint supplement for a Yorkie with a slipping kneecap
A supplement cannot move a kneecap back into its groove, and that is why the formula matters when you choose one. What it can do is support the joint and the tissues around it while your vet leads the plan.
The table below compares MedPaw, our own product, with five well-known UK options, starting with how many of the six key joint actives each one contains.
UK dog joint supplements compared, ingredient by ingredient
| 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.
For a Yorkie, the top 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. The others contain between two and four.
A knee that slips is working harder than most, so broad support for the joint and surrounding tissues is a sensible thing to look for. MedPaw also adds omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, plus vitamins C and E and zinc.
Format matters with a small dog too. MedPaw is a soft chew, so there is no crushing tablets or opening capsules. There is a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save if you would like it to arrive automatically. It supports comfort and mobility alongside your vet's advice.
Meet MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max If you would like all six key actives in one soft daily chew for your Yorkie, you can read the full details here.
What a luxating patella actually is
The patella is the kneecap. It normally glides up and down in a groove at the front of the knee. With a luxating patella, it slips sideways out of that groove. It can happen in one back leg or both.
Most of the time the kneecap slips towards the inside of the knee. Vets call this medial patellar luxation, and it is the more common type in smaller dogs. Slipping to the outside is less common and is seen mostly in larger dogs.
Small breeds are commonly affected, and Yorkshire Terriers are a small breed. Rather than guessing how likely it is for any one dog, ask your vet how it applies to yours.
Why it happens
A luxating patella is generally hereditary and linked to the shape of the knee, so in most dogs it is simply how the joint was built. Occasionally an injury is the cause. You have almost certainly not done anything wrong.
Extra weight does not directly cause the kneecap to slip. It can, however, make the condition more troublesome and add risk if surgery is ever needed. Keeping a Yorkie lean is one of the most useful things an owner can do.
Why this matters for supplements
This is a mechanical problem. The kneecap is not tracking properly, and no supplement can put it back in place. That is true of every joint product on the market. What a supplement can do is help support the joint and surrounding tissues as part of a wider plan led by your vet.
Signs your Yorkie may show
The classic sign is the skip. Your dog suddenly lifts a back leg whilst walking or running, sometimes tucked up close to the body or stretched out behind. After a few steps the leg goes back down and they carry on normally.
Other signs owners notice include:
- A limp that comes and goes
- A bowlegged stance in the back legs
- A cracking or popping sound when the knee bends
- Brief stiffness before your dog seems to recover
- An occasional yelp, although some dogs show no discomfort beyond the short limp
In some dogs the kneecap stays out of place. These dogs tend to have a stiff, awkward, bowlegged gait, and the leg will not extend properly. Several of these signs also appear with other orthopaedic problems, so only a vet can tell you what is really going on.
How vets diagnose and manage it
Diagnosis usually comes from a hands-on examination of the knee. It is often picked up by chance at a routine check or a visit for something unrelated. X-rays, CT or MRI can show the condition, but they are not normally how it is diagnosed.
Vets grade the condition by severity, and that grade guides whether careful management or surgery is the better route. This is why a proper assessment comes first.
Non-surgical management
Many dogs with milder luxation, particularly small breeds, keep a good quality of life without an operation. Management may include:
- Anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by your vet
- Weight loss where needed
- Temporary exercise restriction
- A joint supplement, if your vet recommends one
Restriction can be as simple as stopping stair-running and sofa-jumping and keeping to short lead walks. If crate rest is needed, it usually lasts several weeks and sometimes longer. Settling can take time, and flare-ups may follow exercise or appear for no obvious reason, so management may need revisiting over your dog's life.
Without surgery, the kneecap may continue to luxate, but many dogs still enjoy a long, happy life.
When surgery is considered
Surgery is usually considered for severe cases, or when medical management has not been enough. It reshapes the knee so the joint sits more normally. Techniques include moving where certain ligaments attach, deepening the groove the kneecap sits in, and tightening the joint capsule.
Recovery takes several weeks and often longer, with regular rechecks. The most common problem afterwards is that the kneecap slips again. Other possible complications include implant failure, under- or over-correction, fluid pockets and progressive arthritis. Overweight dogs face higher risks because of the extra strain on the knee.
Costs vary between UK practices, so ask your vet for a written estimate and check what your pet insurance covers before you decide anything.
Everyday steps that help your Yorkie
Much of the real difference comes from daily routine. Here is a practical checklist to talk through with your vet:
- Get a proper vet assessment first. The grade shapes the whole plan.
- Keep your Yorkie lean. Even a little extra weight adds pressure through the knee. Ask your vet to confirm an ideal weight and body condition score. A healthy weight may also help keep joints more comfortable as your dog gets older.
- Choose steady exercise. Regular, even lead walks help maintain muscle tone. Avoid sharp turns, repeated high jumping and sudden bursts of intense play.
- Make the home easier. Ramps or steps for sofas and beds, stair gates, and rugs or mats on slippery floors all help.
- Reduce the chance of injury. Use a lead or a secure, fenced garden so your dog is not tearing about unsupervised.
- Ask about physiotherapy. Building the muscles around the knee may help support stability and confidence. A qualified canine physiotherapist, via a vet referral, can guide safe exercises.
- Keep a simple diary. Note how often the skip happens, what triggered it and any stiffness. A short phone video is very helpful at appointments.
- Keep up rechecks. The grade and any arthritis can change over time.
Where a joint supplement fits
A joint supplement is a complementary feed. It sits alongside veterinary care, weight management and sensible exercise, and does not replace any of them. Supplements are commonly used to help support cartilage and connective tissue maintenance and overall joint health, particularly as dogs get older.
Owner experience varies from dog to dog, so it is wise to be realistic. A supplement will not change the position of the kneecap, and it cannot promise a particular result. What it can offer is nutritional support for the joint whilst the rest of your plan does the heavy lifting.
Common ingredient groups
Joint products tend to draw on a few familiar ingredient groups:
- Glucosamine and chondroitin
- Green-lipped mussel
- Omega-3 oils
- In some cases, collagen
Different products combine them differently, so it pays to read the label rather than assume.
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 provides omega-3 from green-lipped mussel and flax seed, plus vitamins C and E and zinc, and it is made with rapeseed oil and glycerine.
The feeding guide is 1 chew a day up to 4kg, 2 chews for 5-17kg and 2-3 chews for 18kg and over. The amount is doubled for the first three weeks. Daily use for 2-3 months is recommended.
Most adult Yorkies are small, so the up to 4kg guidance is likely to apply. If your dog is between 4kg and 5kg, or you have any doubt, check the pack and ask your vet. There is a 60-day money-back guarantee, and Subscribe & Save is available if you would like regular deliveries.
Comparing other UK options fairly
There are other well-known products, and the right choice depends on your dog. From the manufacturers' published information as of September 2026:
- NutraPaw Joint Support is a tablet containing glucosamine, MSM, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid, turmeric and collagen. It does not list chondroitin or Boswellia.
- YuMOVE Joint Support PLUS Max is a tablet with glucosamine, green-lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and fish oil, with chondroitin only via the mussel.
- Seraquin Joint is a chewable tablet containing glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric.
- Synoquin EFA is a tablet or capsule with glucosamine, chondroitin and krill oil.
- Nutraquin+ is a capsule with glucosamine, chondroitin and Boswellia.
Beyond ingredients, think about size, tolerance, how easily your dog takes a chew compared with a tablet or capsule, and what your vet advises. Guarantee terms differ too, and some manufacturers do not state one.
Tolerance and allergy cautions
Glucosamine is often derived from shellfish, which may not suit dogs with seafood sensitivities, and some owners report mild digestive upset. Marine-based ingredients such as green-lipped mussel and fish oils are not ideal for dogs with fish or shellfish intolerance. Oil-based products are not tolerated by every dog.
Because MedPaw's chews contain green-lipped mussel, speak to your vet first if your Yorkie has a seafood sensitivity. The same goes for any dog already on medication or with known food sensitivities.
Introducing one sensibly
Tell your vet what you plan to use, and start at the pack's recommended amount. Allow the full 2-3 months of daily use before judging, and keep notes on how your dog moves so that any change is easier to discuss at the next check-up.
When to see a vet
Because several conditions can look similar, it is better to ask early than to wait and wonder. This guide shows how to think about urgency.
How quickly to act on knee and limping signs
Known occasional skip
An occasional skip that settles straight away. Keep your diary and raise it at the next routine check.
Changes worth a prompt appointment
A new or more frequent skip, a limp that comes and goes without settling, a bowlegged stance, clicking or popping, a stiff gait, less enthusiasm for jumping, stairs or walks, licking or guarding a knee, or weight creeping up.
Contact a vet straight away
Your dog will not put weight on a back leg, or a limp lasts more than a short while. Also act on a sudden severe limp after a fall or awkward landing, swelling, heat, repeated yelping or crying, or if your dog seems unwell, lethargic or off their food.
If your dog has had surgery, contact the surgeon if you see swelling, discharge, a sudden worsening of lameness, or the kneecap appears to slip again.
A calm, long-term view
A luxating patella can sound alarming, but for many Yorkies it becomes something to manage quietly in the background. A healthy weight, steady exercise, a home that is easy on the knees and regular vet checks do most of the work. A joint supplement, chosen with your vet and given consistently, can be one supportive piece of that picture.
Watch your dog, keep notes, and trust your instincts. If something looks different, your vet is the right person to ask.
Can a joint supplement fix my Yorkie's luxating patella?
No. A luxating patella is a mechanical problem with how the kneecap sits in its groove, and no supplement can move it back into place. A joint supplement is a complementary feed that helps support the joint and surrounding tissues alongside your vet's plan, weight management and sensible exercise. Your vet is the right person to assess the grade and advise on next steps.
How many MedPaw chews does a 3kg Yorkie need each day?
From the printed label, dogs up to 4kg have 1 chew a day, so a 3kg Yorkie has 1 chew. The amount is doubled for the first three weeks, so that is 2 chews a day to begin with, then back to 1. Daily use for 2-3 months is recommended, and a tub of 60 chews covers the doubled first three weeks and then carries on for several more weeks at 1 a day.
Is a chew easier than a tablet or capsule for a small Yorkie?
It can be, as many small dogs take a soft chew more readily than a tablet or capsule. MedPaw Hip & Joint Chews Max is a soft chew, whereas the other products we compared are tablets, chewable tablets or capsules. Every dog is different, so choose the format your dog will take calmly every day.
Should I avoid green-lipped mussel if my Yorkie has a sensitive tummy or allergies?
Green-lipped mussel is a marine ingredient, so it may not suit dogs with a known fish or shellfish sensitivity. MedPaw's chews contain it, and glucosamine is often derived from shellfish too. Please speak to your vet before starting anything if your Yorkie has food sensitivities, a delicate stomach or is on any medication.
How long should I give a joint supplement before judging whether it suits my dog?
The MedPaw label recommends 2-3 months of daily use, so it is sensible to give it that long before forming a view. Keep a simple diary or short phone videos of how often the skip happens and how your dog moves. This makes it much easier to talk through any changes with your vet at the next check.
When should I take my Yorkie to the vet about a skipping back leg?
An occasional skip that settles straight away is worth mentioning at your next routine check. Book a prompt appointment if it becomes more frequent, a limp keeps coming and going, or your dog seems reluctant to jump or walk. Contact a vet straight away if your dog will not put weight on a back leg, or has a sudden severe limp, swelling or seems unwell.
