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Wellaroo
The science

Glucosamine + chondroitin

Two building blocks of cartilage, used for joints for decades. Both are in Joint & Mobility, and shark cartilage is a natural source of chondroitin. Placebo-controlled dog trials have not shown a clear difference.

Dog trials: unclear

Placebo-controlled dog trials have not shown a clear difference.

In Joint & MobilityIn Shark Cartilage
What the research adds up to

Glucosamine and chondroitin are 2 of the molecules cartilage is built from, and they have been used for joints for decades. In dogs, placebo-controlled trials of 60 and 75 dogs have not shown a clear difference from placebo. A 70-day trial saw less pain on glucosamine–chondroitin, but it had no placebo group.

Glucosamine
Dog trials: unclear. Placebo-controlled dog trials have not shown a clear difference.
Chondroitin
Dog trials: unclear. Placebo-controlled dog trials have not shown a clear difference.
Shark cartilage
Nutrient data. No dog trial of the cartilage itself. See chondroitin.
In
Joint & Mobility, Shark Cartilage
What the research found in dogs

In 75 dogs with hip osteoarthritis, marine oils improved how dogs loaded the sore leg.

Placebo-controlled trial, 75 dogs, 6 weeks · Front Vet Sci, 2023

Read the study
Mean change in peak vertical force, the weight a dog puts through the sore leg, after 6 weeks. 75 dogs with hip osteoarthritis. Results varied widely from dog to dog. The vets’ scores did not change in any group.
How the study worked
Who75 pet dogs with hip osteoarthritis, in 5 groups.
DesignBlock-randomised and double-blind. The placebo was sunflower oil.
Length6 weeks, measured at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6.
MeasuredPeak vertical force on a force plate, and a vet’s orthopaedic score.
ResultWeek 6 change, mean ± SD: EAB-277 4.45 ± 4.23, carprofen 4.21 ± 6.52, PCSO-524 4.14 ± 4.65, glucosamine–chondroitin 1.08 ± 5.49, placebo −0.33 ± 3.65. Glucosamine–chondroitin lay between placebo and the other groups.

Every other study

Dog studies first. Each card says where the study was done, how it was set up and what it found.

  • In dogsSystematic review and meta-analysis, 72 trials

    Review of joint diets and supplements in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis

    Omega-3 diets and supplements showed clear pain relief. Glucosamine with chondroitin did not show a clear effect on pain.

    Barbeau-Grégoire et al. · Int J Mol Sci · 2022Read the paper (free)
  • In dogsPlacebo-controlled trial, 60 dogs, 90 days

    A glucosamine–chondroitin supplement against placebo in dogs with osteoarthritis

    Activity monitors showed no difference between groups. Owner scores improved in both groups equally, which the authors read as a placebo effect in the owners.

    Scott et al. · Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol · 2017Read the abstract
  • In dogsPlacebo-controlled trial, 7 to 10 dogs per group, 150 days

    Collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin in dogs with arthritis

    Glucosamine 2,000 mg with chondroitin 1,600 mg a day caused no change in liver or kidney tests. Only the collagen group improved on the force plate.

    Gupta et al. · J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) · 2012Read the abstract
  • In dogsDrug-controlled trial, 35 dogs, 70 days, no placebo group

    Glucosamine–chondroitin against carprofen in dogs with osteoarthritis

    Vets scored less pain by day 70 on glucosamine–chondroitin, with a slower start than carprofen. With no placebo group, the trial cannot separate the supplement from the placebo effect.

    McCarthy et al. · Vet J · 2007Read the abstract
  • In dogsPlacebo-controlled trial, 71 dogs, 60 days

    A glucosamine–chondroitin product, carprofen and meloxicam in dogs with osteoarthritis

    Carprofen and meloxicam improved how the dogs loaded their sore leg. The glucosamine–chondroitin product did not show a clear change.

    Moreau et al. · Vet Rec · 2003Read the abstract
  • In the labLab analysis of 16 human supplements

    BMAA and mercury in shark cartilage supplements

    15 of 16 shark cartilage supplements contained the neurotoxin BMAA (86 to 265 µg/g). All held low levels of mercury.

    Mondo et al. · Food Chem Toxicol · 2014Read the abstract

Safety notes

  • Glucosamine 2,000 mg with chondroitin 1,600 mg a day for 150 days caused no change in dogs’ liver or kidney tests. (Gupta 2012)
  • 15 of 16 human shark cartilage supplements held the neurotoxin BMAA. Those were capsules, not our treat. We have not published a BMAA test of our cartilage. (Mondo 2014)
Joint & MobilityShark CartilageAll 22 ingredients

This page describes ingredient research. It is not veterinary advice. Wellaroo products have not been tested in a trial of their own. Talk to your vet about your dog’s health.