7 Best Glucosamine for Cats of 2023 — Reviews & Top Picks

Glucosamine is known to help relieve joint problems in humans, and it can probably do the same thing for your cat. Whether your cat has arthritis or just sore joints in old age, this supplement may put some pep back in your cat’s step and provide them with healthier, happier, and less painful quality of life. Glucosamine supplements are easy to come by, with many brands available on the market. Some come in pill form and others in liquid. Some are chews and others are capsules.

But which glucosamine supplements are the best? We decided to put the most popular brands to the test to find out which come out on top. We have identified seven excellent options that we want to share with you! Without further ado, here are our reviews of the best glucosamine supplements for cats on the market.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2023)

The 7 Best Glucosamine for Cats

1. Nutramax Cosequin Capsules Joint Health Cat Supplement — Best Overall

Nutramax Cosequin capsules work to keep cartilage from breaking down while supporting the healthy production of new cartilage as your cat ages. Cosequin is a natural supplement that is completely safe for cats, so you do not have to worry about dealing with any side effects with regular use. Cosequin is thought to support joint health and provide relief to cats that suffer from arthritis. It may also prevent urinary tract infections.

This product is safe for cats of all ages and can be administered as a capsule or sprinkled onto food at mealtime, making it easy to treat even picky cats. The capsules are stored in an airtight bottle that is easy to open. Unfortunately, this product is not fast-acting for all cats, depending on their overall health. It may take a few weeks to start seeing improvements in your cat’s health.

All in all, we think this is the best glucosamine for cats available.

2. NaturVet VitaPet Senior Glucosamine Cat Soft Chews  — Best Value

Formulated by veterinarians and made in the United States, NaturVet VitaPet senior glucosamine soft chews are designed specifically for senior cats. However, the soft chews are safe for kittens over 12 weeks of age to use. NaturVet VitaPet is the best glucosamine for cats for the money because it contains a range of essential vitamins and minerals to support a healthy immune system, so cats can enjoy their golden years.

Each package contains a 30-day supply so you do not have to order them often to stay stocked. These wheat-free chews are soft and formulated to provide a flavor that cats cannot resist. In fact, these treats are so tasty, cats have been known to eat them all up when left accessible to them, which could cause adverse reactions. Therefore, this product should be stored somewhere your cat cannot get to, like in a cabinet.

3. PurePaw Nutrition Premium Dream Glucosamine  — Premium Choice

What is special about this product is that it is suitable for both dogs and cats, offering convenience for multi-pet households that are concerned about joint health. The glucosamine in this product helps rebuild joint cartilage and reduce inflammation, so your furry family member stays comfortable as they get older. PurePaw Nutrition Premium Dream also contains CoQ10, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to support a healthy heart and immune system and to help relieve allergy reactions.

It comes in a liquid form and has no taste, so it can be mixed into food or poured onto treats, and your cat likely will not even know that it is there. This formula is made in the United States. It can be stored on a shelf because no refrigeration is necessary. The biggest downside is that the formula is quite expensive compared to many of the other options on our list.

4. NaturVet Glucosamine DS Cat Soft Chews

This is another product that caters to both cats and dogs. It is designed to provide hip and joint support so daily exercise is more enjoyable. In addition to glucosamine, NatruVet soft chews contain chondroitin and MSM, which work to strengthen the connective tissues for better flexibility and movement overall. Antioxidants are included to kill free radicals that can damage your cat’s joints as time goes on.

The chewable tablets may have to be hidden in treats to get your cat to take them. But once ingested, the formula is time-released into your cat’s system for long-lasting effectiveness. The package contains 120 chews, and most cats need only one chew each day for optimal results. The biggest problem we came across is that the container does not seem to be airtight, which could dry the chews out over time.

5. VITAFUL PetJoint Turmeric & Glucosamine

VITAFUL PetJoint is more than just a glucosamine supplement. It contains turmeric as an anti-inflammatory and curcumin, which works powerfully as an antioxidant. This formula is hypoallergenic and is designed to provide pain relief in the joints and bones. This product also helps relieve minor joint stiffness, so playing and climbing are more enjoyable.

The soft chews are naturally flavored with irresistible bacon and liver, so there is no need to sneak them into your cat’s meals to get them to digest it. Most cats love these chews so much, they can be used in place of treats once a day. You will not find any corn, wheat, soy, or grains in the ingredients list. However, this formula may not work well for cats with serious joint and hip problems.

6. VetriScience Laboratories GlycoFlex Supplement

This glucosamine product is specially designed for cats and works to strengthen their back legs within just a few weeks. These small chews look like the average treat, and because they are flavored with real chicken, most cats cannot resist them. As the name suggests, Vetriscience Laboratories GlycoFlex is proudly formulated using thoroughly researched scientific data to ensure results in older cats.

With New Zealand green-lipped mussels, this supplement offers impressive anti-inflammatory benefits that make getting around easier for cats with sore joints. The packaging is subpar, so you will probably have to store the supplements in another container after opening for the first time. Also, this product does not contain some of the beneficial ingredients, like turmeric, that other options on our list do.

7. Pet Naturals Hip + Joint Supplement

In addition to glucosamine, this supplement is filled with goodies such as chondroitin, Perna canaliculus, and MSM to not only relieve joint pain but also help restore joint development and movement so your cat can play like a kitten again. The chews are fish-flavored and even shaped like little fish, which is fun for us but not necessarily impressive to cats.

Formulated by veterinarians, Pet Naturals Hip + Joint supplements are made without artificial ingredients or fillers like corn. But there are a few unnecessary ingredients, such as canola oil, included. Also, these supplements can result in strange-colored stools that can be alarming when first noticed.

Buyer’s Guide: Choose the Best Glucosamine for Cats

Choosing a glucosamine supplement for your cat is a serious decision to make. You must make sure that the supplement does not disagree with your furry family member’s digestive system or make them nauseous. You also must ensure that any supplements you give them do not interfere with any medications that they are already taking. In addition to checking out the recommendations on our reviews list, there are a few other things you can do to optimize the success that you have with the glucosamine supplements that you choose.

Consider Your Cat’s Symptoms

One important thing to do before choosing a glucosamine supplement for your kitty cat is to consider all the symptoms that they are displaying. Do they have just minor discomfort while moving around, or do they have a hard time getting up and laying down? Does your cat bite, nip, or growl when you try to touch their legs? Is their fur looking dry and falling out? Does their immune system seem to be taking a hit? Are allergies making things worse for them?

Many glucosamine supplements contain extra ingredients, like CoQ10, which works as an anti-inflammatory and supports neurological health. Turmeric is another anti-inflammatory that is included in some glucosamine supplements. Other supplements contain antioxidants to improve the immune system and enhance overall health. Understanding all the symptoms that your cat is dealing with will help you better decide which ingredients to look for when choosing a glucosamine supplement that will improve their quality of life.

Understand Your Cat’s Preferences

If you are not used to giving your cat supplements, you likely do not know what form of supplement they will most easily accept. Would it be a pill, a chew, powder, or liquid? It is a good idea to find out before spending money on any glucosamine supplements. You can use things around the house to mimic different forms of glucosamine supplements and see how your cat reacts to them.

For example, a cooked black bean can mimic a pill  — see if your cat allows you to administer it as such. A sprinkle of turmeric over your kitty cat’s food at mealtime will mimic a glucosamine supplement powder. If they eat the turmeric powder, chances are that they will take the supplement powder without complaint. A little water can be added to their food as liquid supplements would. After trying a few options, it should be clear what form of glucosamine supplement to invest in.

Avoid Artificial Stuff

When comparing glucosamine supplements to one another, it is important to stay away from artificial ingredients. Any supplement that includes artificial ingredients should be immediately discarded from your list because you do not know where those ingredients were derived from. Also, artificial ingredients such as ethoxyquin can be harmful to your cat’s health if consumed regularly. There are plenty of glucosamine supplements on the market that is free of such ingredients. Just read the label to be sure.

Think About Storage

Not every glucosamine supplement product is packaged the same way, so you should think about how you will want to store the supplements. Some products are packaged in plastic pouches that are designed to reseal between uses, but they are not always reliable, so you may have to transfer the supplements into a separate sealable container.

Other products come in plastic containers with screw tops and others in cardboard boxes and single-serving packets. Some products need to be stored in the refrigerator between uses, while others can be kept on the shelf. Which type of packaging do you think would best suit your lifestyle? Those are the ones that you should focus your attention on.

Always Consult With Your Veterinarian

Even though glucosamine supplements should not cause any adverse reactions in your cat, it is a good idea to consult your physician before you start administering the supplements. Your veterinarian can let you know whether there are any specific ingredients to stay away from or to look for, depending on your cat’s current health. If necessary, they will schedule a check-up to make sure your cat is really dealing with joint and arthritis problems instead of something more serious.

They may even recommend medications that your cat can take in addition to glucosamine supplements, to optimize the support that you are offering your cat. If anything, getting the green light from your veterinarian will give you peace of mind in knowing that you are providing your furry family member with the best care possible.

Conclusion

If you have a feeling that your kitty needs glucosamine to feel more vibrant, you have come to the right place. There are great options to consider that should help your furry loved one feel better in their daily life. Not all of them are created equal, however, so they all deserve careful consideration.

While we feel that every option featured on our reviews list is worthy, we highly recommend our first and second picks. Nutramax Cosequin Capsules are all-natural, they are easy to administer, and they are safe for cats of all ages. They are also designed for long-lasting, year-round relief.  NaturVet VitaPet Senior Glucosamine Soft Chews are made for seniors but are suitable for any cat over 12 weeks of age. This product is designed to effectively support joint functionality and a healthy immune function.

No matter what type of glucosamine supplement you decide to give your cat, you can rest assured that you are providing your furry family member with natural supplements that will improve their overall quality of life. Which glucosamine supplements do you think will work the best for your kitty cat? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!

Featured Image Credit By: Linn Currie, Shutterstock