Cosequin Joint Supplements for Pets Under Investigation

Consumer advocates are concerned that Cosequin joint supplements for pets can’t deliver the joint health benefits their manufacturer advertises.

According Cosequin’s website, animal nutritional supplement manufacturer Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences, Inc. says Cosequin contains chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine and manganese ascorbate. The company claims the ingredients are “scientifically formulated to support and maintain the health of your dog’s joints.”

The company even claims to include proprietary supplemental blends that have registered trademarks: TRH122 chondroitin sulfate and FCHG49 glucosamine. Nutramax says studies show Cosequin’s ingredients help maintain the structure of cartilage in the joints and inhibit enzymes that tend to break down cartilage.

In fact, published peer-reviewed studies were either done on different products, were poorly managed or proved just the opposite of Nutramax’s claims.

Nutramax joint supplements are marketed to dog and cat owners who have observed their pets becoming less active, have trouble navigating stairs or experience stiffness in the joints. These supplements contain ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin that are promoted as beneficial for joint health.

While it is true that glucosamine is produced by the animal’s body and is found in joint cartilage and joint fluid, research shows little evidence that oral supplements can effectively deliver that orally provided glucosamine to the affected areas.

Chondroitin is another building block of cartilage, and most of the oral supplements contain chondroitin taken from cow cartilage. Again, there is little evidence that taking chondroitin orally can help with living cartilage inside the animal that takes the supplement. Even if a small amount of the absorbed materials reaches the joints, it’s difficult to prove that an adequate amount reaches the affected joints to have any therapeutic effect.

Marketing for Cosequin Joint Supplements

Nutramax advertises its joint supplements by promoting “The Cosequin Difference,” stating that it is the top veterinarian recommended brand, and saying it is the joint supplement used by the most “pet parents.”

There’s no doubt that healthy cartilage helps bones glide over each other without friction that causes pain and stiffness. When cartilage wears down, bones rub against bones, causing pain, inflammation and perhaps even bone spurs. Still, clinical trials on humans have found no evidence that glucosamine or chondroitin can affect the loss of cartilage in patients with osteoarthritis.

In fact, no randomized, controlled scientific studies have indicated Cosequin can improve mobility, joint health or activity levels in either dogs or cats. One peer-reviewed study from the early 2000s published by the British Medical Journal’s VetRecord indicated that dogs that received Cosequin joint supplements saw no improvement in their health.

Dogs that received NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) did show signs of temporary pain relief, much like humans do when they are experiencing pain from inflammation.

Allegations that glucosamine and chondroitin supplements do not improve the joint health of animals comes on the heels of similar claims against supplements marketed for human use. For 20 years, humans have been marketed a variety of glucosamine and chondroitin pills, drinks and tablets that supposedly could provide relief from joint pain, stiffness and arthritis, but a growing body of scientific studies debunked those claims.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) both agree that glucosamine and chondroitin are not recommended to manage pain or other symptoms caused by osteoarthritis in humans.

Although there are few studies done on dogs, and even fewer completed on cats, at least one study found no difference in animals that received a placebo and those that received a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement.

Join a Free Cosequin Dog Supplements Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased Cosequin joint supplements for your dog or cat, you may qualify to join this Cosequin class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.