Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Extend Joint Care for Dogs Supplement (2024 Vet Review)

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt Profile Picture

By Dr. Joanna Woodnutt

Extend Joint Care for Dogs Supplement Review

Vet approved

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt Photo

Written by

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt

BVM BVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

As your dog gets older, they become more likely to experience stiffness and soreness as a result of degenerative joint disease, or arthritis. Implementing a strategy to slow the deterioration of your dog’s arthritis, and therefore keep them mobile later in life, can be successful. Strategies to improve the health of your dog’s joints and keep them healthy for as long as possible would include a combination of joint supplements with exercise management. Extend Joint Care is an example of a joint supplement that is available for dogs. But what is it and how does it work?Divider 1

What is Extend Joint Care for Dogs?

Extend Joint Care is a supplementary powder formulated to improve and maintain your dog’s joint health. It contains four active ingredients, which when combined aim to promote healthy joints through joint lubrication and better cushioning from cartilage. It is suitable for all dogs, no matter their age, size, and breed, and can be useful for the prevention of arthritis, not just for when signs of arthritis become apparent.

What Ingredients are in Extend Joint Care for Dogs?

Extend Joint Care contains:
  • Glucosamine
  • MSM
  • Collagen
  • Ascorbic Acid

Glucosamine is a joint-health-promoting compound that is commonly used in human arthritis cases. However, in Extend Joint Care this glucosamine is in the form of Glucosamine Hydrochloride, which is more easily and efficiently absorbed than other forms, like the human version, Glucosamine Sulphate. It also contains methlysulfonylmethane (MSM), which is another chondroprotectant, which means it preserves and restores cartilage in the joint.

As well as these chondroprotectants, Extend Joint Care also contains some important building blocks used for maintaining joint tissue in the form of chicken collagen and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Dog in Pain
Photo Credit: CC0 Public Domain, pxhere

Divider 8

How Does Extend Joint Care Work?

  • Glucosamine is an amino acid, which is one of the building blocks of protein within the body. It is used to form healthy joint tissue, forming glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid. Both of these are essential components of joint fluid and cartilage. Over time, as a joint is repeatedly used, there is natural wear and tear damage to the cartilage and fluid. Glucosamine allows efficient repair of this damage, ensuring the joint is padded and lubricated well.
  • Methylsulfonylmethane is an important source of biological sulfur, which your dog’s body depends on for the normal function of tissue and cells. It is also a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, is an antioxidant and it improves absorption of vital vitamins including vitamin C.
  • Joint health and turnover of cells within the joints rely on the availability of collagen. Extend Joint Care provides collagen in the form of chicken collagen, as well as containing ascorbic acid, which is vitamin C. Ascorbic acid has an important role in the production of collagen within the body as well as reducing inflammation and fighting infection.

Does Extend Joint Care have Side Effects?

Whilst any medication or supplement can disagree with some more sensitive bellies, there is no evidence to suggest that Extend Joint Care causes any side effects. Previous studies have shown a potential link between glucosamine causing stomach upsets or more frequent urination in some dogs, but this doesn’t seem to be the case with Extend Joint Care. However, should you ever spot any potential side effects in your dog whilst on a supplement or medication, it is important to speak to your veterinarian so that it can be recorded, and the medication stopped if needed.

Although it is always sensible to advise and seek input from your veterinarian before starting any new supplement or medication, Extend Joint Care is not known to react to any other medication which your dog may be already taking.Extend Joint Care Nutritional Dog Supplements

How to Use Extend Joint Care

Extend Joint Care is an oral supplement in the form of a powder, which should be given daily for the maximum beneficial effect. Let’s look at how to give your dog Extend Joint Care:

How Much Does My Dog Need?

Extend Joint Care is a supplement formed from natural ingredients. The recommended dose for any age, size, and breed of dog is one packet per day. However, because of the safety margin of this product, you may choose to trial giving slightly more to your large breed dog, or a little less to your small breed dog.

How Long Does It Take For Extend Joint Care to Work?

Although Extend Joint Care starts working immediately on an invisible level within the cells of the joints, it can take a little time before those changes will become apparent to you from the outside. Many glucosamine products recommend giving an increased dose for six weeks, after which results should be apparent. An initial dose increase is not necessary with Extend Joint Care, and results should be apparent within two weeks, although many owners have reported noticing improvement much sooner than this.

dog taking vitamins
Photo Credit: ALPA PROD, Shutterstock

Divider 4

Where Can You Buy Extend Joint Care for Dogs?

Extend Joint Care is a non-prescription product, which means it is available from pet stores, pharmacies, and online.

As is the case with many medicinal products which are available online, care should always be taken that you are receiving authentic goods. There are increasing numbers of scams around, selling knock-off products on third-party sales sites. This does not only risk wasting your money on medication that is not certified to work, but also risks your dog’s health, since the knock-off product may contain dangerous ingredients.

What Else Can I Do to Help My Dog With Arthritis?

Supplementation with joint protectants like glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM, as well as natural anti-inflammatories and protein sources will certainly help to delay onset and slow progression of arthritis by creating a healthier joint. But what else can you do to help your dog’s mobility?

Diet management

Keeping your dog trim will help reduce pressure on the joints, reducing soreness and as well as wear and tear damage to the cartilage. If your dog is carrying a little extra weight and is also struggling with arthritis, shifting a few pounds should help them to move more comfortably. If you think your dog needs to lose weight, but you are unsure how much they should be eating, speak to your veterinarian about attending regular weight clinics

Exercise management

Even if your dog has arthritis, it is important that they remain mobile, in order that they don’t become stiff. Regular exercise should be encouraged, but expectations for that exercise should be reduced. Even if your dog used to comfortably manage two or three hours of walking a day, or tirelessly chased balls or toys, it is important not to push an arthritic dog to their limit. Not all dogs will show signs of pain at the time, and often with arthritis the stiffness or soreness appears hours later, after a period of rest. Small amounts of exercise frequently will help to stop weight gain and keep joints more flexible.

Hydrotherapy and physiotherapy

If your arthritic dog’s pain is controlled, they may be a suitable candidate for physiotherapy or hydrotherapy. These practices will strengthen muscles, stabilize joints, correct any asymmetry, and help to restore a normal gait.

Pain relief and anti-inflammatories

Whilst supplements will help manage early arthritis, there will likely come a point where additional medication is needed to help with pain and improve quality of life. Speak to your veterinarian if you think your dog may be in pain, as there are many options of safe medications that can be used alongside joint supplements.

Catahoula Bulldog
Photo Credit: Acrysmith, Wikimedia

Divider 5

Conclusion: Extend Joint Care for Dogs

Joint supplements which contain glucosamine have been around for a while and are thought to be beneficial to your dog’s joint health and long-term mobility. Importantly, they are not just useful for when you’ve noticed signs of arthritis, stiffness, or soreness in your dog, they can be beneficial at promoting good joint health even before the signs are there. Since the popularity of joint supplements has increased, new products are created, each containing additional beneficial ingredients rather than glucosamine alone.

The combination of active ingredients in Extend Joint Care works together to protect cartilage from damage, reduce inflammation and provide the building blocks for repairing and maintaining the joint tissues. For this reason, Extend Joint Care is likely to be beneficial to your dog, helping them stay active and mobile for longer. However, it is important to recognize that a supplement alone may not be suitable in advanced arthritis and your dog may require additional medication to control pain and reduce inflammation, in order to keep them comfortable, with a good quality of life. Speak to your veterinarian if you are unsure whether your dog may need something more than a joint supplement.

See Also:

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database