Dasuquin vs Cosequin: Ingredients, Cost and What the Evidence Shows

Dasuquin vs Cosequin: What Is in Each Formula

All figures per tablet or chew, from Nutramax's own product pages: Cosequin Chewable Tablets with MSM, Dasuquin with MSM Chewable Tablets (small to medium / large dog), and Dasuquin Advanced Soft Chews.

Sources: Nutramax product pages on cosequin.com and dasuquin.com, read November 4, 2026. Nutramax lists chondroitin at "up to 10% moisture." Dasuquin Advanced with ESM adds 175 mg / 335 mg eggshell membrane (product page).

The Other Formulas, Briefly

Both brands sell several variants, and the ingredient differences inside each brand are bigger than most comparison pages admit.

• Dasuquin (no MSM): the same glucosamine, chondroitin, ASU, boswellia and green tea as Dasuquin with MSM, minus the MSM.
• Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews: the tablet formula plus 50 mg (small/medium) or 75 mg (large) of EPA and DHA from fish oil.
• Dasuquin with Omega-3s: a different, single-size scored chew with 700 mg glucosamine, 335 mg chondroitin, 250 mg MSM, 56 mg ASU, 24 mg boswellia and 40 mg EPA plus DHA.
• Cosequin Soft Chews with MSM plus Omega-3s: 600 mg glucosamine, 300 mg chondroitin, 400 mg MSM and 55 mg EPA plus DHA. No ASU.
• Cosequin Senior Soft Chews: the same as the omega-3 chew plus 250 mg of a yeast extract supplying beta-glucans.

Cost Per Day

Prices move constantly and differ by retailer and count. These are the per-unit prices shown in Google Shopping listings when we checked on November 4, 2026, multiplied by the label's daily amount for a 30 to 59 lb dog. Use them for the ratio, not as a quote.

Daily amounts from the Nutramax label charts. Listing prices from Google Shopping (Walmart, Tractor Supply) on November 4, 2026; a 60-plus lb dog needs the large-dog Dasuquin formula, which we did not price. PetMD puts Cosequin at about 20% cheaper overall.

Formats and Palatability

What the Evidence Actually Says About Glucosamine and Chondroitin

This is the part no ranking comparison page covers, and it is the part that matters most for what you spend.

The 2022 meta-analysis. Barbeau-Grégoire and colleagues pooled 57 articles covering 72 trials of diets and supplements in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis. Omega-3-enriched diets and omega-3 supplements showed clear analgesic efficacy, cannabidiol showed efficacy to a lesser degree, and collagen was weak. For glucosamine-chondroitin products, the review reported a "very marked non-effect"; of the nine trials it assessed in that category, only one showed improvement, on a non-validated subjective tool at a single time point.

The placebo-controlled dog trials.

• Moreau et al., Vet Rec 2003: 71 dogs, double-blind, placebo-controlled. A chondroitin, glucosamine and manganese ascorbate product (the Cosequin-style formula) did not improve force-plate gait measures at 60 days; carprofen and meloxicam did.
• Scott et al., Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2017: 60 dogs, 90 days, double-blind, placebo-controlled. A glucosamine-chondroitin product with an added ingredient produced no difference from placebo in activity monitor counts, and owner scores improved equally in both groups, a reminder of how strong the placebo effect is on owners.
• Kampa et al., Front Vet Sci 2023: 75 dogs with hip osteoarthritis, block-randomised, double-blind. After 4 weeks, peak vertical force rose with carprofen and two marine omega-3 products; the glucosamine-chondroitin group changed by −0.05 against placebo's +0.08.
• Gupta et al., J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 2012: owner-observed pain fell with glucosamine-chondroitin, but on the force plate only the undenatured collagen group improved.

The positive one. McCarthy et al., Vet J 2007 randomised 35 dogs to a glucosamine-chondroitin product or carprofen and found significant improvements in vet-scored pain, weight-bearing and severity by day 70, slower than with carprofen. It had no placebo group and relied on subjective scoring, which is the pattern the meta-analysis penalised.

Where the guidelines land. The 2023 COAST international consensus guidelines list chondroitin, glucosamine and ASU as minority recommendations: 4 of 9 panelists at Stage 2 (mild) and 3 of 9 at Stage 3 (moderate). Those who did not support them cited insufficient clinical evidence, cost, variable efficacy and variable product quality.

The fair reading: glucosamine-chondroitin is very safe and widely used, and some individual dogs may do well on it, but the controlled data in dogs do not show a consistent benefit on pain or gait. It is reasonable to try. It is not reasonable to treat it as the pain plan.

What the Vet Literature Says About ASU

ASU is the ingredient that separates Dasuquin from Cosequin, so it deserves its own look.

• Dog cartilage model: in Boileau et al., Arthritis Res Ther 2009, 16 dogs had a cruciate ligament cut to induce arthritis, then got ASU at 10 mg/kg a day or placebo for 8 weeks. The ASU group had smaller cartilage lesions on the tibial plateau (P = 0.04). That is a structural finding in induced arthritis, not a pain trial in pet dogs.
• Joint fluid: Altinel et al., 2007 found ASU raised TGF-beta growth factors in canine joint fluid over three months.
• Cell culture: Nutramax's own cited work, such as Grzanna et al., Cartilage 2020, used canine cartilage cells in culture and found the ASU, glucosamine and chondroitin combination suppressed inflammatory markers. Nutramax's statement that the combination "works better than glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate alone" rests on this kind of cell research, not on a clinical trial in dogs.
• Humans: the 3-year ERADIAS trial in 399 people with hip arthritis found no difference in joint-space loss or clinical outcomes, though 40% vs 50% of patients were classed as "progressors."

We found no published placebo-controlled clinical trial of Dasuquin itself in pet dogs with arthritis. So the honest answer to "is Dasuquin better than Cosequin?" is that it contains more plausible ingredients and costs more, and nobody has shown in a dog trial that the extra ingredients change how a dog moves.

The Cosequin Controversy

In early 2026 Nutramax agreed to pay $11.5 million to settle a California class action alleging that Cosequin dog supplements were marketed with claims, such as enhanced joint flexibility and mobility, that could not be substantiated. The settlement received preliminary approval on February 2, 2026, covers California buyers of seven Cosequin chewable and soft-chew products bought between May 3, 2016 and May 6, 2022, and pays up to $25 per product for up to six products. Nutramax also agreed to drop phrases including "supports mobility for a healthy lifestyle" from future packaging while keeping "joint health supplement" (ClassAction.org). A settlement is not a finding of fault, and it did not involve Dasuquin.

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How to Give Them, and How Much

Both brands use the same pattern: a higher loading amount for the first 4 to 6 weeks, then roughly half that for maintenance. From the label charts:

From the Cosequin and Dasuquin product pages. Soft-chew charts differ slightly; follow the label of the product you buy.

1. Get a baseline first. Before day one, write down how your dog rises, how far they walk, whether they take stairs or jump into the car. Video helps.
2. Load as labelled for 4 to 6 weeks, then drop to maintenance. Give with food.
3. Score weekly with the same questions. Owners in placebo groups improve too, so compare against your baseline notes, not your hopes.
4. Change one thing at a time. Starting a supplement, a new food and a new exercise plan in the same week makes it impossible to tell what worked.
5. Decide at 8 to 12 weeks. If nothing has changed, stop and spend the money on something with stronger evidence.
6. Fix weight first. In the arthritis literature, weight control and controlled exercise do more than any supplement. Our arthritis stages guide covers the foundations.

Side Effects and Cautions

Both are among the safest things you can give a dog, which is part of why they are so popular. From the VCA glucosamine and chondroitin monograph:

• Common: mild stomach upset, gas, soft stools.
• Rare: allergic reaction (irregular breathing, rash, facial swelling). Stop and call your vet.
• Use with caution: dogs with asthma or bronchoconstriction, dogs on a low-potassium diet, pregnant or lactating dogs.
• Drug interactions to mention to your vet: certain NSAIDs (carprofen, firocoxib, diclofenac), warfarin, heparin, insulin and other diabetes drugs, doxorubicin, sertraline.
• Allergens in the product: Dasuquin contains soy (ASU and soy protein isolate); the soft chews contain fish oil; Dasuquin tablets contain brewer's yeast. Glucosamine is commonly derived from shellfish; Nutramax's pages do not state the source, so ask the manufacturer if your dog has a shellfish allergy.

Our Rimadyl guide covers what to watch for if your dog is also on an NSAID.

When to See the Vet Instead

Book a regular appointment if stiffness is getting worse despite 8 to 12 weeks of a supplement, if your dog is slowing on walks or avoiding stairs, or if you want a real pain plan. For moderate and severe arthritis the COAST panel was unanimous that an NSAID or an anti-NGF antibody is the appropriate first-line treatment; a supplement is an add-on.

Which to Ask Your Vet About

• A young or middle-aged dog with no signs, just a risk factor (large breed, past injury): neither product has evidence for prevention. Lean, fit and an omega-3-rich joint diet is the guideline-backed start.
• A dog with mild stiffness: Cosequin is the cheaper trial of the same base; Dasuquin if your vet specifically wants ASU. Ask about a therapeutic omega-3 dose too.
• A dog already diagnosed with moderate arthritis: ask what the pain plan is first. A supplement on its own is not one.
• A dog on an NSAID, warfarin or insulin: mention the supplement so your vet can check the VCA interaction list.
• A dog with a soy, fish or shellfish allergy: read the ingredient panels above before choosing.

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Where HempMy Pet Fits

We sell hemp, not glucosamine, so we have a commercial interest in this topic; here is what we can and cannot say. Full-spectrum hemp extract supports joint comfort and mobility; it is a different kind of supplement from Dasuquin or Cosequin rather than a stronger version of them, and some owners use both.

The evidence picture is worth knowing. The same 2022 meta-analysis that found a "very marked non-effect" for glucosamine-chondroitin reported efficacy for cannabidiol "to a lesser degree" than omega-3s. In the COAST guidelines, CBD was a minority recommendation at moderate stages, the same 3 of 9 as glucosamine, and a majority recommendation (6 of 9) for severe stages. The panel's reservations were limited evidence, cost and "variability in product quality between suppliers." That last one is the one we can answer: we breed, grow, extract and bottle on our own Colorado farm and publish a certificate of analysis for every batch.

In our own 90-day study, overseen by Dr. Robin Downing with Colorado State University researchers, 30 of the 32 dogs that completed it showed a benefit and 94% of owners reported improved quality of life. It was an open-label pilot with no placebo group, so it is a signal, not proof. An independent 2024 crossover study of 37 dogs found owner-reported pain scores fell 46.2% on full-spectrum hemp oil at 2 mg/kg twice daily (Frontiers 2024). Our dosing guide and side-effects guide cover the practical details, including the liver-enzyme finding your vet will want to know about.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I give my dog Dasuquin or Cosequin?
If your vet wants your dog on a Nutramax joint supplement, the practical difference is ASU, boswellia and green tea extract, which Dasuquin adds and Cosequin lacks, at a higher price. Neither has strong clinical evidence: a 2022 meta-analysis of 72 dog and cat trials found what it called a very marked non-effect of glucosamine-chondroitin products on osteoarthritis pain. Cosequin is the cheaper way to try the glucosamine-chondroitin base; Dasuquin is the version to try if your vet specifically wants ASU. Neither replaces a pain plan your vet prescribes.

Why is Cosequin cheaper than Dasuquin?
Because it contains fewer ingredients. Both share Nutramax's glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate base, and Dasuquin adds avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), Boswellia serrata extract and decaffeinated green tea extract. PetMD estimates Cosequin runs about 20% cheaper. In Google Shopping listings we checked on November 4, 2026, Cosequin Maximum Strength Plus MSM tablets were about $0.33 a tablet and Dasuquin soft chews about $0.52 a chew.

What is the Cosequin controversy?
In 2026 Nutramax agreed to an $11.5 million settlement of a California class action alleging its Cosequin dog supplements were advertised with joint-health and mobility claims that could not be substantiated. The settlement covers California buyers of seven Cosequin chewable and soft-chew products between May 2016 and May 2022 and requires phrases such as supports mobility for a healthy lifestyle to come off future packaging. A final approval hearing was set for August 13, 2026, and a settlement is not a court finding of fault.

Does Dasuquin have negative side effects?
Usually mild. VCA lists mild stomach upset (gas, soft stools) as the main side effect of glucosamine and chondroitin, with rare allergic reactions. Dasuquin also contains soy (ASU and soy protein isolate), fish oil in some soft chews, and brewer's yeast in the tablets, which matter for dogs with those allergies. VCA advises caution with NSAIDs, warfarin, heparin, insulin and other diabetes drugs, and in pregnant or lactating dogs.

What is the number one vet recommended joint supplement for dogs?
Nutramax markets both Dasuquin and Cosequin as the number one veterinarian-recommended joint supplement brand, Dasuquin among veterinary brands and Cosequin among retail brands. Both claims rest on surveys of small-animal vets who recommend supplements, as footnoted on Nutramax's own sites. A recommendation survey measures popularity, not effectiveness, and the international COAST arthritis guidelines list glucosamine, chondroitin and ASU only as minority recommendations.

Do vets recommend Cosequin?
Many do, and it is one of the most familiar joint supplements in veterinary practice. Evidence-based guidance is more cautious: the 2023 COAST consensus guidelines rated glucosamine, chondroitin and ASU as minority recommendations (4 of 9 panelists at the mild stage, 3 of 9 at the moderate stage), citing limited evidence, cost and product-quality variability, and a 2022 meta-analysis recommended glucosamine-chondroitin products no longer be recommended for osteoarthritis pain. Omega-3 fatty acids rated higher in both.

Can I give my dog Dasuquin and Cosequin together?
There is no reason to. Both contain the same glucosamine and chondroitin base, so giving both doubles those ingredients without adding anything Dasuquin alone lacks. If you are switching from one to the other, swap rather than stack, and follow the label's loading and maintenance amounts for the new product.

How long does Dasuquin or Cosequin take to work?
Both labels use a 4 to 6 week loading period at a higher daily amount, then drop to a maintenance amount, which reflects the slow-acting way these ingredients are thought to work. In the 2007 positive-controlled trial of a glucosamine-chondroitin product, improvement reached significance by day 70 and was slower than with carprofen. A fair trial is about 8 to 12 weeks with a written record of how your dog moves; if you see nothing by then, it is reasonable to stop.

What is the difference between Dasuquin and Dasuquin Advanced?
Dasuquin Advanced keeps the glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and ASU base and adds a 70 to 140 mg proprietary blend of boswellia, turmeric (Curcuma longa), green tea and alpha-lipoic acid, plus manganese and EPA, DHA and ETA omega-3s. The ESM version also adds 175 to 335 mg of eggshell membrane. Per PetMD, Advanced is sold through veterinarians rather than online retailers.

Is Dasuquin or Cosequin better for senior dogs?
Neither has senior-specific evidence. Cosequin makes a Senior soft chew that adds 250 mg of a beta-glucan yeast extract and 55 mg of EPA plus DHA to the standard base, and Dasuquin makes its own senior chew. For an older dog the bigger wins are weight control, controlled exercise, an omega-3 dose large enough to matter, and a vet-led pain plan; the COAST guidelines prioritise omega-3s above other nutraceuticals.

Is hemp a substitute for Dasuquin or Cosequin?
They are different kinds of product rather than interchangeable ones. Hemp extract is a cannabinoid supplement; Dasuquin and Cosequin are glucosamine-chondroitin supplements. Some owners use one, some use both. In the 2023 COAST guidelines, CBD was a majority recommendation for dogs with severe osteoarthritis (6 of 9 panelists) and a minority one at moderate stages, the same minority level as glucosamine at that stage. Tell your vet about any supplement you give alongside a prescription.

The Short Version

Same company, same base, and Dasuquin adds ASU, boswellia and green tea for roughly 50 to 60% more per day. The controlled dog evidence for the glucosamine-chondroitin base is weak, and ASU's dog evidence is mostly one induced-arthritis study. Try either for 8 to 12 weeks with notes, fix weight and exercise first, get a therapeutic omega-3 dose, and let your vet own the pain plan.

Shop Joint Support → See Our Dog Study

Arthritis in Dogs · Why Is My Dog Limping? · Rimadyl (Carprofen) · Gabapentin vs Trazodone · Hemp for Senior Dogs · Hemp for Dogs with Arthritis · Best Joint Supplements for Dogs, Ranked

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is educational and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian before starting any supplement, especially alongside prescription medication.