As cats age, they can develop medical issues and end up with cartilage loss and arthritis. Degenerative joint disease and arthritis are common in cats, so starting your cat on a joint supplement early in life is one way to combat joint issues and help keep your furry friend healthy and active in their later years.
In our reviews of the best joint supplements for cats, you’ll find supplements that will help prevent joint issues and alleviate them if the worst happens to your cat.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
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Best Overall
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Nutramax Cosequin Chicken Flavored Supplement for Cats |
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Best Value
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Nutramax Cosequin Soft Chews Joint Supplement |
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CHECK PRICE |
Premium Choice
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Vetriscience GlycoFlex III Joint Supplement |
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CHECK PRICE |
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Zesty Paws Core Elements Supplement for Cats |
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Pet Naturals Hip and Joint Cat Chews |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 5 Best Joint Supplements for Cats- Reviews & Top Picks 2024
1. Nutramax Cosequin Chicken Flavored Supplement for Cats – Best Overall
| Active Ingredients | Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Manganese |
| Product Form | Capsule |
| Life Stage | Kitten, Senior, Adult |
| Food Form | Supplement |
Our pick for the best overall joint supplements for cats goes to the Nutramax Cosequin Chicken Flavored Supplement for Cats. The capsules are specifically designed to protect your feline against cartilage breakdown. They also help protect your cat’s bladder.
Nutramax improves your cat’s mobility, keeping them active well into their elder years. Of course, cats love the chicken flavor as well. The only drawback we found with this supplement is that it contains artificial colors, which most of us don’t want in our feline supplements.
- Protects existing cartilage from damage
- Improves mobility
- Helps with your cat’s bladder health
- Artificial colors included
2. Nutramax Cosequin Soft Chews Joint Supplement – Best Value
| Active Ingredients | Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Omega 3s |
| Product Form | Soft Chew |
| Life Stage | Kitten, Adult, Senior |
| Food Form | Supplement |
One of the best joint supplements for cats for the money is the Nutramax Cosequin Soft Chews Joint Supplement. With a 60-count option, this supplement is affordable and contains no artificial colors to detract from promoting your cat’s health.
It also contains Omega 3 Fatty Acids for overall health. The only drawback we noticed with this supplement is that some cats don’t like the soft chews’ texture or taste. However, the fact that it contains Omega 3’s and no artificial colors makes it worth trying.
- Contains Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- Affordable
- Contains no artificial colors
- Some cats don’t like the texture and taste
3. Vetriscience GlycoFlex III Joint Supplement – Premium Choice
| Active Ingredients | Glucosamine, MSM, Perna Canaliculus, DMG, Vitamin E, Ascorbic Acid, Manganese, Grape Seed Extract, L-Glutathione, Selenium |
| Product Form | Soft Chew |
| Life Stage | Adult, Senior |
| Food Form | Supplement |
At number three on our list is Vetriscience GlycoFlex III Joint Supplement for Cats. It’s our premium choice because it’s vet-approved and said to help alleviate arthritis pain in your furry feline. The soft chews are also vet-made and work to increase your pet’s mobility as they age. It’s suitable for adults and senior cats, and the chicken flavor will have your feline asking for more.
Some owners have reported their cats not liking the taste, and there are reports of the chews being too large for some older cats to eat.
- Increases mobility
- Said to help with arthritis issues
- Chews are too large
- Some cats dislike the taste
4. Zesty Paws Core Elements Supplement for Cats
| Active Ingredients | Salmon Oil, Omega 3 fatty acids |
| Product Form | Liquid |
| Life Stage | Senior, Adult |
| Food Form | Food topping, Supplement |
Zesty Paws Core Elements Supplement for Cats is number four on our list of the best joint supplements for cats. Though it’s not specifically for joints, it’s an excellent supplement to add to your cat’s diet. It contains 100% wild-caught salmon for a taste that most cats love and is easy to use.
As a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, Zesty Paws is designed to support healthy skin and fur. The only drawback to this supplement is the pump has been known to leak or stop working, and the supplement isn’t specifically for improving the structure of cartilage.
- Contains 100% wild-caught salmon
- Easy to use
- Cats tend to like the taste
- Isn’t for improving cartilage structure
- The pump has been known to leak or stop working
5. Pet Naturals Hip and Joint Cat Chews
| Active Ingredients | Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, and Perna Canaliculus |
| Product Form | Soft Chew |
| Life Stage | Senior, Adult, Kitten |
| Food Form | Supplement |
Since cats can benefit from joint support supplements at all ages, we’ve put Pet Naturals Hip, and Joint Cat Chews at number five on our list. One of the best-selling points for this supplement is that it contains no artificial ingredients, wheat, or corn products.
All active ingredients are specific supplements to support healthy cartilage and joints. In addition, Pet Naturals is designed for cats of every age, not just for senior cats. It has been reported that some cats refuse to eat this soft chew and that it’s too hard for older cats to chew.
- No artificial ingredients, wheat, or corn
- Ingredients are all joint supporting
- Great for all ages, not just senior cats
- Some cats dislike the flavor
- Too hard for seniors with dental problems
Signs That Your Cat Has Joint Problems
While you don’t want to wait until your cat is elderly to start giving them joint supplements, sometimes joint problems develop without your noticing. In the first section of our buyer’s guide, we’ll show you signs that your cat may have joint issues on the horizon.
As a cat owner, you know your cat is great at hiding pain. So, you must look for these common signs of arthritis and joint deterioration.
- Your cat is overall less active
- Your cat is sleeping a lot more than he used to
- Your cat has lost interest in grooming himself
- His litter box behavior has changed
An overweight cat will also put much more pressure on their joints, leading to early deterioration. If you notice any of these signs in your feline, or even a couple of them, it’s best to make an appointment with your vet to rule out any joint issues.
They can tell you the best course of treatment for your feline and recommend the best joint supplements for your cat.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
How to Choose the Right Joint Supplement for Your Cat
Choosing the right joint supplement for your cat can be tricky if you’re unsure what to look for. Supplements that contain ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM are the best, and the formulas help protect and strengthen your cat’s joints as they age.
In addition, supplements with these ingredients keep cats active and have been known to alleviate the pain of some arthritis conditions. If possible, choose a joint supplement that has Omega 3s since they’re known to reduce inflammation in the joints and make cats with arthritis more comfortable. However, since not all joint supplements contain Omega 3s, consider adding them to your cat’s diet instead.
Our Joint Supplements for Cats Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about joint supplements for cats. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our reviews of the best joint supplements for cats this year. For improving your cat’s mobility and protecting existing cartilage, our number one pick, Nutramax Cosequin Chicken Flavored Supplement for Cats, is ideal.
For affordability and the addition of Omega 3 fatty acids, Nutramax Cosequin Soft Chews Joint Supplement is the best for a budget. Our premium choice is the Vetriscience GlycoFlex III Joint Supplement for Cats. Whatever your choice of supplement is for your feline, remember that love is vital to a happy, healthy cat.
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
