What Can I Give My Older Dog to Help Support Their Joints and Mobility?

Start with a vet check, a healthy weight and gentle daily movement, then add a joint supplement with research in dogs behind its ingredients. Omega-3s (EPA and DHA), green-lipped mussel, undenatured type II collagen (UC-II®), collagen peptides, eggshell membrane and turmeric have all been tested in dogs with joint stiffness, and several showed measurable improvements in mobility, comfort or quality of life. North Hound Life, a Canadian natural dog supplement company, makes a supplement built around each of these ingredients, and Hip & Joint Health, Hip & Joint Elite+, Omega 3+, Pure Collagen and Turmeric Wellness+ are notified with Health Canada as veterinary health products for animals. [1,2]

Key points

A change in how your older dog moves is worth a vet visit, not something to write off as “just getting old.”
Healthy weight, the right kind of activity and a home that’s easier to get around do a lot of the work.
Omega-3s have some of the strongest research in dogs. Green-lipped mussel, UC-II collagen, collagen peptides and eggshell membrane have each shown improvements in randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
Different ingredients support joints in different ways, so combining supplements that do different jobs is a common and reasonable approach.
Introduce one product at a time, follow each label, and tell your vet everything your dog takes.

Why is my older dog slowing down?

Slowing down is common in older dogs, but age itself isn’t a diagnosis. Stiffness, trouble getting up or hesitating on the stairs can come from osteoarthritis, an old or new injury, muscle loss or another health issue. Osteoarthritis is a common, progressive joint condition in dogs that can cause stiffness and less interest in walks or play. [3]

These causes can look alike at home, so start with your vet, whether you see a conventional or holistic vet. A short video of your dog getting up or walking normally can be really useful at the appointment.

Five ways to support your older dog’s mobility

Book a veterinary assessment. Ask your vet to check both body condition and muscle condition. A dog can carry extra weight and still be losing muscle. [4]
Keep a healthy weight. Extra weight means extra load on sore joints, and veterinary pain management guidelines name weight management and diet as key parts of joint care. [2]
Choose comfortable activity. Shorter, steadier walks often work better than occasional long ones. Ask your vet or a rehab practitioner before starting strengthening exercises. [1]
Make home easier to get around. Non-slip runners on smooth floors, a supportive bed that’s easy to step into and a ramp to the car or couch take strain out of everyday moves. [1]
Add targeted nutritional support. This is where joint supplements come in. The next section explains each ingredient and what the research in dogs found.

Which joint-support ingredients have research in dogs?

Most pet parents read the label before they buy. Here’s what each common ingredient is, what studies in dogs found, and where you’ll find it in the North Hound Life range.

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA)

What it is: marine omega-3 fatty acids. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are the two most studied for joint support.

The research: omega-3s are among the best-supported nutritional options for dogs with joint stiffness. In a randomized, double-blinded trial of 38 dogs with osteoarthritis, dogs fed a food enriched with fish oil omega-3s improved how much weight they put on their most affected leg over 90 days, measured on a force plate. 82% of dogs in the omega-3 group improved, compared with 38% in the control group. A 2022 systematic review also found evidence of benefit from omega-3-enriched diets and supplements in dogs with osteoarthritis. [5,6]

What to look for: the amount of EPA and DHA per serving, not just the total amount of oil.

Where to find it: Omega 3+ is 100% Canadian harp seal oil, providing 270 mg EPA, 360 mg DHA and 171 mg DPA (docosapentaenoic acid) per teaspoon. The studies above used fish oil. Seal oil supplies the same EPA and DHA, plus DPA. [7]

Green-lipped mussel

What it is: a shellfish native to New Zealand (Perna canaliculus). As a whole-food powder, it naturally contains omega-3 fatty acids, glycosaminoglycans, amino acids and trace minerals.

The research: in a double-blind study, 31 dogs with arthritis were fed a complete dry food with or without 0.3% green-lipped mussel powder. After six weeks, the mussel group had significantly better overall arthritis scores, with improvements in joint pain and swelling. In a separate randomized, double-blind trial, 45 dogs with osteoarthritis completed eight weeks on a green-lipped mussel preparation, carprofen (a prescription anti-inflammatory) or a placebo. The mussel group did better than placebo on some veterinary and owner assessments, though not as well as carprofen overall. [8,9]

Where to find it: Hip & Joint Health is 100% New Zealand green-lipped mussel powder, the same whole-powder form used in the 31-dog feeding study. [10]

Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II®)

What it is: a form of type II collagen, the main collagen in cartilage, processed at low temperatures so it keeps its natural structure. It’s used in milligram amounts and is thought to work through oral tolerance, where the immune system in the gut learns to respond more calmly to type II collagen.

The research: a 2023 scoping review of 14 studies on undenatured type II collagen, most of them randomized and placebo-controlled, reported reduced lameness and improved activity and mobility, with the greatest benefit at around four to five months. In a 2019 randomized study of 60 dogs with osteoarthritis, mobility scores improved by about a third after 30 days on UC-II, a similar improvement to the group given robenacoxib, a prescription anti-inflammatory. [11,12]

Where to find it: Hip & Joint Elite+ contains 20 mg UC-II® per serving. [13]

Boswellia

What it is: a resin from the Boswellia serrata tree, rich in boswellic acids.

The research: studies in dogs have reported benefits for comfort and joint signs, mainly when Boswellia was combined with other joint ingredients, which is how it’s most often used. [11]

Where to find it: Hip & Joint Elite+ contains 120 mg Boswellia serrata extract (65% boswellic acids) per serving, alongside UC-II, collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. [13]

Collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen)

What it is: collagen broken down into small peptides during processing, which makes it easy to absorb and mix into food.

The research: in a 2024 placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 31 dogs with osteoarthritis, dogs given specific bioactive collagen peptides for 12 weeks showed significant improvements in several gait measurements on a force-plate treadmill and in quality-of-life scores on the Canine Brief Pain Inventory. [14]

Where to find it: Pure Collagen is hydrolyzed grass-fed bovine collagen peptides, and Hip & Joint Elite+ includes 820 mg of hydrolyzed type I collagen per serving. The 2024 study used a specific branded peptide formulation. [13,15]

Eggshell membrane

What it is: the thin layer between an eggshell and the egg white. It naturally contains collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid.

The research: in a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 51 dogs, eggshell membrane improved owner-rated joint function and pain after just one week, and quality of life and veterinarian-rated pain after six weeks. A blood marker of cartilage breakdown also fell significantly compared with placebo. [16]

Where to find it: Eggshell Membrane is 100% Canadian hydrolyzed eggshell membrane. The study used a natural (non-hydrolyzed) branded eggshell membrane. [17]

Turmeric

What it is: a root (Curcuma longa) whose natural compounds, called curcuminoids, have been studied for joint comfort. Black pepper is traditionally paired with turmeric.

The research: in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 61 dogs with osteoarthritis, a turmeric extract given for eight weeks produced a significant improvement in the veterinarians’ overall assessment compared with placebo. Force-plate measurements didn’t differ between the groups. [18]

Where to find it: Turmeric Wellness+ is organic turmeric root powder with organic MCT coconut oil, ginger and black pepper. The study used a concentrated turmeric extract. [19]

Glucosamine and chondroitin

What they are: two of the most familiar ingredients in joint formulas, also found naturally in green-lipped mussel and eggshell membrane.

The research: a 2022 systematic review didn’t find convincing evidence that the glucosamine and chondroitin products it examined eased joint pain on their own. [6]

Can I combine joint supplements?

Yes. Joint health involves several processes, and different ingredients support them in different ways. That’s why many pet parents use more than one joint supplement, and why we recommend Hip & Joint Health and Hip & Joint Elite+ together.

A few steps make it easier:

Start one product at a time. A week or two on the first product before adding the next makes it easy to tell how your dog handles each.
Check labels for overlap. For example, Hip & Joint Elite+ already contains collagen peptides, so you may not need Pure Collagen as well.
Tell your vet everything your dog takes, including food, treats and any medication, so they can check for interactions.

How do I choose a joint supplement for my dog?

Look for:

A full ingredient list, including any fillers or inactive ingredients
The amount of each active ingredient per serving
Research in dogs on the same ingredient and form
Clear directions by weight
Allergen information, such as shellfish, egg, poultry or beef
A Health Canada notification number (NN) for products sold in Canada, which shows the product has been notified as a veterinary health product for animals

How can I tell whether a supplement is helping?

Before you start, pick a few everyday moments to watch: getting up from bed, a familiar walk, how easily your dog settles afterwards. Jot down notes at similar times of day. Your vet may also use a questionnaire such as the Canine Brief Pain Inventory or LOAD to track progress. [20]

Studies in dogs have shown changes in as little as one week for eggshell membrane, six to eight weeks for green-lipped mussel, and around three months for omega-3s and collagen. Every dog is different, so agree on a review date with your vet.

When should I contact my veterinarian?

Call your vet if stiffness, limping or changes in movement stick around, if things get worse, or if your dog reacts badly to a new supplement. Get care right away if your dog suddenly can’t stand, seems to be in severe pain, is dragging a leg or has been injured.

If your dog is sore, ask about pain management directly, and don’t hold off on care while you wait for a supplement to work. Never give your dog ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin or acetaminophen on your own. Human pain medications can seriously harm dogs. [21]

North Hound Life joint support products

North Hound Life is a Canadian natural dog supplement company founded in 2020 and based in Huntsville, Ontario. Every product in our joint health collection uses whole-food or targeted ingredients with no fillers. Hip & Joint Health, Hip & Joint Elite+, Omega 3+, Pure Collagen and Turmeric Wellness+ are notified with Health Canada as veterinary health products, with their notification numbers listed below.

Hip & Joint Health: 100% New Zealand green-lipped mussel powder, snap frozen and flash dried. Our foundational whole-food joint supplement. Health Canada NN.U5O3. Not for dogs with a shellfish allergy, or for pregnant or nursing dogs. See the label for full precautions. [10]

Hip & Joint Elite+: UC-II® collagen, collagen peptides, Boswellia, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, 100% active ingredients with no fillers. Our targeted formula for dogs who need more support. Health Canada NN.W3Y0. [13]

Omega 3+: 100% Canadian harp seal oil, rich in EPA, DHA and DPA. Supports joints as well as skin and coat. Health Canada NN.F3G8. Available in Canada only. [7]

Pure Collagen: hydrolyzed grass-fed bovine collagen peptides. Health Canada NN.F7A3. Not for pregnant or nursing dogs. [15]

Eggshell Membrane: 100% Canadian hydrolyzed eggshell membrane. Contains egg. [17]

Turmeric Wellness+: organic turmeric, MCT coconut oil, ginger and black pepper. Health Canada NN.Y1C1. Not for long-term use, or for dogs taking other medications, unless directed by a vet. See the label for full precautions. [19]

Where to start: Hip & Joint Health is our most popular starting point. For more support, add Hip & Joint Elite+, which does a different job. Omega 3+ pairs well with either. For a closer look at how green-lipped mussel and collagen differ, see green-lipped mussel vs collagen.

Please follow each label’s directions and your vet’s advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best thing to give an older dog for joint support?

Start with a vet check, a healthy weight and comfortable activity. For supplements, omega-3s have some of the strongest research in dogs, and green-lipped mussel, UC-II collagen, collagen peptides and eggshell membrane have each shown improvements in placebo-controlled trials. Many pet parents combine a whole-food option like green-lipped mussel with a targeted one like UC-II. [5,8,11,16]

Can I give my dog more than one joint supplement?

Yes. Ingredients that work in different ways can be combined, which is why we recommend Hip & Joint Health and Hip & Joint Elite+ together. Start one product at a time, check labels for overlapping ingredients, and let your vet know everything your dog takes.

Can a joint supplement replace my dog’s medication?

No. Don’t stop or change a prescribed medication without talking to your vet. Supplements and veterinary treatment do different jobs and can be used together under your vet’s guidance.

How long does it take for a joint supplement to work?

It depends on the ingredient. In studies of dogs, eggshell membrane showed changes within one week, green-lipped mussel within six to eight weeks, and omega-3s, collagen peptides and UC-II over about three to five months. Every dog is different. [5,8,11,14,16]

Are North Hound Life joint supplements approved by Health Canada?

Hip & Joint Health, Hip & Joint Elite+, Omega 3+, Pure Collagen and Turmeric Wellness+ are each notified with Health Canada as a veterinary health product, and each notification number (NN) is listed on the label. Notification means the product is a veterinary health product for animals, and that we follow Health Canada’s requirements for permitted ingredients, labelling and good manufacturing practices.

Are these supplements safe for every dog?

No supplement suits every dog. Check for allergens such as shellfish (Hip & Joint Health), egg (Eggshell Membrane) and beef (Pure Collagen), follow each label’s precautions, and talk to your vet if your dog has other health issues or takes medication.

This article is general education. It doesn’t diagnose your dog or replace advice from your own veterinarian.