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The Hard Truth About Dog Supplements

Most Dog Joint Supplements Don’t Work. Here’s why..

Author

Bryan Reisberg
January 29, 2026

We REALLY Need to Talk About Joint Supplements

Hey Dog Juice Community,

Bryan (Maxine’s Dad) here.  I want to talk to you directly because there’s something that’s been bothering me, and if you love your pets as much as I love mine, this is something you’ll wanna hear…

TLDR:if you don’t want to read all this, we’re launching our own hip & joint supplement with some of the brightest minds in canine wellness. I’m tired of using products that don’t work for my dog. Tap below to get the facts. But I highly encourage to read below. I explain everything.

For a long time, the pet industry, including brands I respect, has relied on joint supplement formulas that aren’t strongly supported by modern veterinary research.

Not because they don’t care about dogs (or maybe they don’t I have no idea). But because the ingredients are safe, familiar, inexpensive, and extremely high-margin.

That’s how glucosamine and chondroitin became the default, and there are a number of modern, peer-reviewed studies that have disproven their efficacy. So why are big brands still using these ingredients?

They’re cheap and easy to source and pet parents recognize the ingredients.  Also these brands aren’t required to demonstrate consistent, meaningful benefits in measures pet parents actually care about, like comfort, stiffness, or mobility.

When you look at the current body of veterinary research across many studies, the takeaway is fairly consistent:

Glucosamine and chondroitin do not show reliable, meaningful benefits for dogs with osteoarthritis-related discomfort.

Here is a recent study that confirms this.
Here is another study that confirms this.

What Joint Discomfort Actually Is (and Why That Matters)

Here’s the part most labels don’t explain: Joint discomfort in dogs is not primarily a cartilage-loss problem. It’s largely driven by chronic inflammation and pain signaling.

That distinction matters.

It’s why ingredients with the strongest evidence today are not “cartilage building blocks,” but compounds that help support a healthy inflammatory response, modulate pain pathways, and promote overall movement and comfort.

This is why omega-3s, particularly EPA-forward formulations, along with specific marine-derived compounds and targeted antioxidants, tend to outperform older formulas in research outcomes that actually matter, like mobility, stiffness, and quality of life.

The science has moved on.
Most store shelves haven’t.

Why We Took Two Years and Didn’t Cut Corners

Since Maxine’s was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2019, I’ve been on a mission to give her the best care possible. And when I found out the joint supplements I was using were doing next to nothing, I promised Maxine, and this community, that I would do something about it.  So I kicked down doors and assembled some of the smartest minds in canine wellness to create a hip and joint supplement rooted in science.

Together, we:

  • Reviewed the research honestly

  • Focused on ingredients with meaningful, consistent scientific support

  • Sourced high-quality ingredients instead of defaulting to the cheapest options

  • Built a formula around evidence, not tradition

Then I made a decision that changed how we operate going forward.

We’re going to be radically transparent.

I’m going to share:

  • Why every ingredient is included

  • What the science supports and where it’s still evolving

  • How dosing actually works

  • Where ingredients come from

  • What we’re still learning along the way

No black boxes.
No “just trust us.”

You’ll be part of the process.

The Next Phase of Little Chonk: The Joy of Movement

This isn’t just a product launch. It’s the next chapter of Little Chonk. Everything we’re building, from supplements to treats to gear, ladders back to one core belief:

Movement is joy.

Mobility supports quality of life. When dogs can move comfortably, they play more.
They explore more.
They stay themselves for longer.

That’s what we’re here to protect.

Why I’m Saying This Now

I don’t think pet parents need fear.
I think they deserve honesty.

So here it is, plainly:

  • Many joint supplements exist because they’re profitable, not because they’re evidence-led

  • Our understanding of joint discomfort has evolved

  • We’re choosing to evolve with it, openly and transparently

Our new joint supplement is launching soon. And when it does, you won’t just see a product. You’ll see the research, the sourcing, and the reasoning behind every decision.

We’re building this with you, not behind closed doors.  If you want more info about where to buy, the science, or more info about our experts, tap the link below to sign up. 

Thank you for being a part of this journey.

More very soon,
Bryan 

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Need this job:

@thebraleyfamily

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