Glucosamine is a very promising treatment for Arthritis and hip dysplasia in pets and is backed by numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. In these studies, Glucosamine has been shown to rehabilitate cartilage and reduce the progression of arthritis, significantly lessen pain from arthritis, and increase mobility in dogs and cats. However, one glucosamine product can be very different from another.

When your pet's pain relief and health is at stake, you need to know how to choose between competing products and see through the marketing hype. There are six factors that you need to take into your decision before purchasing any glucosamine product. These are:

• Amount of glucosamine per daily dose
• Type of Glucosamine
• Quality of Ingredients
• Delivery System
• Synergistic Ingredients
• Price Per Day
  • It is very important to compare price per day and not price per product, as many companies try to fool you by providing 60 capsules or 32 oz. and not telling you until after you purchased that you must use 6 capsules or 2 oz. per day. Be careful to always compare price per day.

Did you know that the absorption rate and bio-availability of the glucosamine in pills is significantly less than that when glucosamine is delivered in liquid form? The "claimed fact" that pills are the only and best way to obtain glucosamine is simply not true.

According to the Physician's Desk Reference "only 10 to 20% of vitamins and minerals in any pill form is absorbed by the human body." Furthermore, the National Advisory Board states that 100 MG consumed in tablet form translates to a minute stabilized 8.3 MG or 8.3% concentrated in the blood, as compared to 98% in liquid form.

Glucosamine provided in liquid form is absorbed more quickly, much more fully, and provides greater and longer lasting relief.

Due to this, we have given two ratings for the capsule products since we need to be comparing apples with apples. The overall rating is a rating that is compared to all products. The capsule rating is a rating as it stands among only products which provide glucosamine in pill form.

Here we review the leading liquid glucosamine products, prices in US$...

Syn-flex™
Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose for
10 pound pet: 156 mg
30 pound pet: 312 mg
75 pound pet: 625 mg
125 pound pet: 1250 mg

Type of Glucosamine: both Glucosamine Sulfate and Glucosamine HCL
Quality of Glucosamine: Pharmaceutical Grade
Delivery System: Liquid
Synergistic Ingredients:
Chondroitin Sulfate, Boswellin, Yucca Powder, Manganese Ascorbate, Bromelaine, Vitamin C, Omega 3 Fatty Acid, Omega 6 Fatty Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin E

Price per day for 10 pound pet: $0.11
Price per day for 30 pound pet: $0.23
Price per day for 75 pound pet: $0.46
Price per day for 125 pound pet: $0.94

Rating Rationale: A combination of both glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride delivered by liquid will ensure maximum absorption. The high quality glucosamine, and eleven nutritional synergistic ingredients Chondroitin Sulfate, Boswellin, Yucca, Manganese, Bromelain, Vitamin A, C, and E, and essential fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega 6 combine to make a high quality, yet inexpensive product.
Manufacturer: Activex America, Inc.
Availability: Activex America will ship Syn-flex worldwide direct to you door. Free shipping in U.S. and Canada. You can order from their website.
Overall Rating: 8 stars
Website: Order Synflex for Animals

Vet-Flex™
Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose for
10 pound pet: 100 mg
30 pound pet: 100 mg
75 pound pet: 100 mg
125 pound pet: 100 mg
Type of Glucosamine: Glucosamine Sulfate
Quality of Glucosamine: not known
Delivery System: Liquid
Synergistic Ingredients:
100 mg. of MSM, 300 mg. of Mucopolysaccharides
Price per day for 10 pound pet: $0.62
Price per day for 30 pound pet: $0.62
Price per day for 75 pound pet: $0.62
Price per day for 125 pound pet: $0.62

Rating rationale: There is a very low amount of glucosamine, unknown quality of ingredients, a lack of dosage information, and an unproven system of Chondroitin delivery. There is a reason why the price is low, because the product has very little in it besides flavoring. The only thing this product has going for it is that it is in liquid form.

Manufacturer: One Source Plus, Inc.
Availability: Available direct from website
Overall rating: - 1 Star
Website: http://www.cortaflex.com
A note on MSM: There is little credible evidence that this substance is of any value. Worse yet, many MSM containing products are contaminated with DMSO, a substance that should not be taken orally. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an industrial compound that has been touted as a relief for inflamed joints. While it may give temporary relief, it is unproven and may cause skin irritation and diarrhea. Interestingly, the claim to fame for MSM is that it supplies the body with extra sulfur. Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate products contain plenty of available sulfur.

The Capsule Products
Reminder: Glucosamine provided in liquid form is absorbed more quickly, much more fully, and provides greater and longer lasting relief.

Due to this, we have given two ratings for the capsule products since we need to be comparing apples with apples. The overall rating is a rating that is compared to all products. The capsule rating is a rating as it stands among only products which provide glucosamine in pill form.

Arthrix™
Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose for
10 pound pet: 150 mg
30 pound pet: 300 mg
75 pound pet: 600 mg
125 pound pet: 850 mg

Type of Glucosamine: Glucosamine HCL

Quality of Glucosamine: not states

Delivery System: capsule pill

Synergistic Ingredients: MSM, ester-c, arthrix, trace of Omega 3

Price per day for 10 pound pet: $0.47
Price per day for 30 pound pet: $0.93
Price per day for 75 pound pet: $1.30
Price per day for 125 pound pet: $2.33

Rating Rationale: Arthrix is a fairly expensive capsule product. With the glucosamine in powder form delivered in a capsule, the glucosamine will not be fully absorbed and it may take 6-10 weeks to notice relief if any at all occurs. This product lacks a number of nutritional ingredients that are essential to a well-balanced, fully effective treatment for arthritis in dogs and cats. Furthermore, the glucosamine used in Glucosamine HCL, a less expensive and not as fully studied as Glucosamine Sulfate. Also, the dosage of glucosamine is less than optimal. A 125 pound pet should be receiving about 1250 mg, not 850 mg, for example.

Manufacturer: Kala Health, Inc.
Availability: Available direct from website
Overall Rating: 2 Stars (among all products)
Capsule Rating: 2 Stars (among pill products only)
Website: http://www.arthrix.com

Cosequin DS™
Amount of Glucosamine per daily dose for
10 pound pet: 125 mg
30 pound pet: 500 mg
75 pound pet: 750 mg
125 pound pet: 1000 mg

Type of Glucosamine: Glucosamine HCL
Quality of Glucosamine: "high purity"
Delivery System: capsule tablets
Synergistic Ingredients: Manganese, Chondroitin
Price per day for 10 pound pet: $0.19
Price per day for 30 pound pet: $0.77
Price per day for 75 pound pet: $1.17
Price per day for 125 pound pet: $1.55

Rating Rationale: A good amount of glucosamine, however, it is glucosamine HCL, which has not shown to be as effective as glucosamine sulfate. Furthermore, in pill form, the glucosamine HCL and chondroitin sulfate will not be absorbed very well and provide less than optimal treatment for your pet's arthritis. This product also lacks a number of synergistic ingredients like Omega 3 and 6, Boswellin, Bromelain, and Yucca.

Manufacturer: Nutramax Laboratories, Inc.
Availability: From your veternarian
Overall Rating: 2 Stars (among all products)
Capsule Rating: 3 Stars (among pill products only)
Website: http://www.cosamin.com

Summary
In summary, we recommend products that contain pharmaceutical grade, high quality, liquid glucosamine sulfate or a mixture of both glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine HCL. The best products are also combined with ingredients that work synergistically with glucosamine to help rebuild cartilage, stop pain, reduce inflammation, and increase mobility. These include:

• Chondroitin Sulfate
• Boswellin
• Yucca Powder
• Manganese Ascorbate
• Bromelaine
• Vitamin C
• Omega 3 Fatty Acid
• Omega 6 Fatty Acid
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E

While the majority of research to date has been done on capsule products, liquid products provide greater absorption and greater bioavailability meaning more effective treatment for your dog or cat's arthritis. Overall, the product that came closest to these recommendations is Syn-flex from Synflex America.

References:
1. Syn-flex product information: http://www.activexamerica.com/
2. Vet-Flex product information: http://www.cortaflex.com
3. Arthrix product information: http://www.drinkartiflex.com
4. Cosequin product information: http://www.jointjuice.com

Our recommendation for treating arthritis in animals is a liquid Glucosamine formula called Syn-flex from Synflex America.

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