However, the majority of dog foods are marketed as being healthy and rich in glucosamine. We have reviewed the top eight glucosamine dog foods below, to give you a selection of the best. Among other things, we will provide you with the most up-to-date information on ingredients, vitamins, and taste. If you are unfamiliar with this natural supplement, don’t worry. To provide you with all the details you need, we have also included a buyer’s guide. Let’s get started!
Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.
In this article
A Glance at Our Winners in 2025
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Blue Buffalo Protection Dog Food |
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Best Value
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Diamond Naturals Glucosamine Dog Food |
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Premium Choice
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Instinct Raw Boost Glucosamine Dog Food |
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dry Glucosamine Dog Food |
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Royal Canin Large Joint Care Dry Dog Food |
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Check Price |
The 8 Best Dog Foods with Glucosamine
1. Blue Buffalo Protection Dog Food – Best Overall
| Primary Ingredients: | Whitefish, Menhaden Fish Meal, Brown Rice |
| Caloric content: | 3,619 kcal/kg, 377 kcal/cup |
As our top pick, we recommend Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food. It is an all-natural, holistic formula. Protein, carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals are all present in healthy amounts. Cold-formed and concentrated with essential nutrients, the “life source bits” throughout the kibble will also benefit your pup. With brown rice, this food is available in fish, chicken, and lamb varieties. There are also bags available in 6, 15, and 30 pounds. The kibble is easy to chew and digestible, making it a tasty meal for all breeds and sizes.
In addition to real meat, Blue Buffalo includes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as well as joint pain-relieving glucosamine. No corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or preservatives are included in this formula. With this dry dog food, your pup’s immune system is supported, their coat is cared for, and muscles, bones, teeth, and joints are maintained. The product is made in the United States and is high in protein. As a whole, this is the best dog food you can get that contains glucosamine.
- Formula packed with vitamins and minerals
- There are no artificial ingredients
- Easily digestible
- Rich in omega-3s and omega-6s
- Suitable for all breeds
- None that we are aware of
2. Diamond Naturals Glucosamine Dog Food – Best Value
| Primary Ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice |
| Caloric content: | 3,400 kcal/kg, 347 kcal/cup |
This is a great option for dogs suffering from joint pain and owners who need an affordable option. Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food comes in chicken, egg, and oatmeal flavors that your dog will love. This kibble is available in bags of 6, 18, or 35 pounds and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The natural and holistic dog food is made in the USA with cage-free chicken and without corn, wheat, fillers, or artificial colors or preservatives. The food is also a staple of many senior diets. Further, it is easy to digest due to the probiotics and is great for all sizes.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are both included in the formula to relieve arthritis pain and creaky joints. In Diamond Naturals dog food, chicken meal is listed as the second ingredient, but its high protein content suggests that it is of higher quality. It is also important to note that this is the only flavor of the senior diet, and dogs can get bored with eating the same thing every day just like we do. Aside from that, this is the best dog food with glucosamine you can buy.
- Natural ingredients
- Formula packed with vitamins and minerals
- Cage-free chicken included
- Great for senior dogs
- Easily digestible
- One flavor only
3. Instinct Raw Boost Glucosamine Dog Food – Premium Choice
| Primary Ingredients: | Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Salmon Meal, Chicken |
| Caloric content: | 4,169 kcal/kg, 478 kcal/cup |
Featuring cage-free chicken, our premium choice is Instinct Raw Boost Dry Dog Food. Featuring easy-to-chew kibble bits along with freeze-dried chunks of real chicken meat, the formula is also grain-free. The ingredients in this natural dog food include protein, probiotics, omegas, and antioxidants. Additionally, it contains calcium, phosphorous, and natural DHA for brain and eye health. Furthermore, this brand promotes mobility by using both glucosamine and chondroitin. There are no grains, corn, soy, wheat, potatoes, or by-product meal in the Instinct formula, and it uses non-GMO fruits and vegetables. Bags are available in 4-pound or 24-pound sizes.
Besides being made in the USA, there are no artificial flavors or preservatives in this product. All breeds and sizes of dogs will benefit from this minimally processed food. One point to note is that the first ingredient listed is chicken meal, even though it is claimed to contain no by-products. Additionally, chicken meal contains glucosamine. The levels of this nutrient are good, but it is not listed as a free-standing nutrient. Also, this kibble is only available in one flavor.
- There are no artificial ingredients
- Contains vitamins and minerals
- It is easy to digest
- Cage-free chicken used in this recipe
- Provides glucosamine from chicken meal
- There is only one flavor available
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Glucosamine Dry Food
| Primary Ingredients: | Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine), Peas, Pea Protein |
| Caloric content: | 3,592 kcal/kg, 415 kcal/cup |
Our fourth pick is the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Dry Dog Food. You can choose from salmon, duck, or chicken in this tasty dish. This formula is also grain-free, containing no corn, wheat, or soy. Furthermore, there are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or chicken by-product meals in this product. Alternatively, your dog will benefit from the natural ingredients that are packed with protein and carbohydrates. Additionally, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals are included, plus glucosamine and chondroitin. Those supplements are also derived from chicken meal in this formula.
Blue Buffalo is an easy-to-digest and eat dog meal that works for dogs of all sizes. Life source bits are a characteristic of this brand and are made in the USA. It is important to note, however, that this formula contains a high amount of peas and ingredients derived from peas, and there are some concerns about this ingredient and heart health.
- An all-natural product
- Artificial ingredients are not used
- Mineral- and vitamin-rich formula
- Digestion-friendly
- The product contains a high level of pea products
5. Royal Canin Large Joint Care Dry Food
| Primary Ingredients: | Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Wheat |
| Caloric content: | 3,526 kcal/kg, 314 kcal/cup |
Large Joint Care Dry Dog Food from Royal Canin is our Joint care Dry food choice for providing optimal nutrition to large dogs with joint problems. The food is formulated with ingredients that help support joint health, including chondroitin. It also has chicken meal as a top three ingredient, so we are confident with all that ground-up bone in the mix, this food is high in glucosamine. Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are both compounds that have been shown to be beneficial for treating osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is derived from marine shells such as lobster, crab, or shrimp, while chondroitin sulfate derives from the cartilage of animals such as cattle or sheep tracheas.
It also contains omega-3 fatty acids and collagen to help keep joints healthy and lubricated. On the negative side, this food contains a significant amount of corn and wheat, which are not suitable for grain-sensitive dogs.
- Includes added chondroitin
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids and collagen
- A nutrient-dense, protein-rich food
- Great for large breeds
- It is the chicken meal that provides glucosamine in this food
- Grain-sensitive dogs may have trouble digesting
6. Purina ONE SmartBlend Dry Dog Food
| Primary Ingredients: | Lamb (Source of Glucosamine), Rice Flour, Whole Grain Corn |
| Caloric content: | 3,972 kcal/kg, 380 kcal/cup |
Next on our list is Purina ONE SmartBlend Adult Dry Dog Food. With a high protein content, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, this kibble is also a natural formula. Some dogs enjoy a softer meaty morsel as well as the standard kibble bites. In addition to 15 and 27.5-pound resealable bags, you can also choose a 3.8-pound bag that comes in a four-pack for travel convenience. Formulated with real beef as the first ingredient, it is available in only one beef and salmon flavor. Further, there are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or poultry by-product meals.
However, you should be aware that Purina One contains corn, soy, and wheat. Except for that, the dual-bite kibble is great for pups of all sizes and easy on the teeth. The American-made formula is lower in omegas than other dog foods and may be harder for pets with food sensitivities to digest.
- Pure and natural
- Artificial ingredients are not used
- Resealable bag
- Protein-rich and nutrient-dense
- Wheat, soy, and corn ingredients
- Glucosamine is provided by chicken meal only
- It’s harder to digest
7. NUTRO Natural Choice Dry Dog Food
| Primary Ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Grain Barley |
| Caloric content: | 3,569 kcal/kg, 319 kcal/cup |
Vitamins, minerals, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are included in NUTRO Natural Choice Dry Dog Food. Dog food is available in 15 or 30-pound bags, and it is cooked in the United States. No GMO ingredients are used in the natural kibble, which promotes cognitive and immune health. In addition to being made with farm-raised chicken, this dog food contains no corn, soy, wheat, or chicken by-product meal. Glucosamine and chondroitin are provided by chicken meal in this formula, as we have explained with other options. Additionally, this food contains yeast as well.
Some pets may have difficulty digesting this food, although there are no artificial preservatives or colors. Lastly, although NURTO advertises a non-GMO formula, they do mention the possibility of cross-contact with genetically modified materials.
- Natural ingredients
- Artificial ingredients are not used
- A source of vitamins and minerals
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Glucosamine is provided by chicken meal
- Difficult to digest
8. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
| Primary Ingredients: | Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Sorghum |
| Caloric content: | 3,569 kcal/kg, 319 kcal/cup |
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food is available in chicken meal, brown rice, and barley flavors in 4, 15, and 30-pound bags. Within 30 days, the formula claims to improve your pooch’s joint health. There is no added glucosamine or chondroitin in the formula of this pooch meal, but the brand uses EPA from fish oil. This is a great ingredient, but without supplements, it will not be as effective.
However, Hill’s dog food does contain minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins C and E. Plus, it contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. In contrast, you will find grain, soy, and corn in the ingredients. The first item on the list is chicken meal, which is a good source of glucosamine. Finally, this dog food contains more carbohydrates and fat than other brands.
- Pure and natural
- A mineral and vitamin-rich food
- Fish oil
- Free of artificial ingredients
- Carbohydrate and fat content are high in this food
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Food with Glucosamine
Glucosamine-rich dog food is a great choice if you have an older pet. It can not only lubricate the joints but also stimulate the growth of the missing tissue. Your pup’s food should also be nutritionally sound and healthy, of course.
Glucosamine’s Role
Glucosamine is an essential supplement that helps with joint pain and promotes the growth of tissue between the bones of your pup, as we have highlighted in the reviews above. Here’s the kicker. It’s not a natural molecule found in food. Glucosamine is a chemical that’s found in shellfish, chicken bones, and feet.
When a dog food says chicken meal is the source of glucosamine, the meal will primarily contain bones in order to provide good nutritional value for the glucosamine. Most of the time, chicken meal will be used in their traditional formulas, too. Keep in mind that rendering boils out nutrients as well.
Tips When Shopping
To keep your four-legged friend healthy, you need to be aware of a couple of other ingredients.
Chondroitin
The only difference between chondroitin and glucosamine is that glucosamine is easier to absorb. Chondroitin is proven to work better when combined with other ingredients that support joint health.
Fish Oil
This is the omega-3 fatty acid EPA, which is an anti-inflammatory that can help with joint pain. However, it is usually not enough to treat severe arthritis and is best combined with glucosamine and chondroitin.
Our Selection Process For Best Dog Foods With Glucosamine
To create this buyer’s guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the dog foods with glucosamine we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the dog foods with glucosamine. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed dog foods with glucosamine to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with dog foods with glucosamine. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, feeding your dog food with glucosamine can help keep their joints healthy and pain-free. It is important to do your research to find the best food for your dog, as not all brands are created equal. Other nutrients also play a role in supporting joint health, so be on the lookout for fish oils and chondroitin also.
Our top choice overall of food with glucosamine is Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food as it is an all-natural, holistic formula packed with “life source bits.” If you’re on a bit of a budget, Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food comes in chicken, egg, and oatmeal flavors, and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
If you have any doubts or reservations, be sure to talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about adding glucosamine to your dog’s diet.
- Related Read: 10 Best Dry Dog Foods for Senior Dogs
Featured Image Credit: Olena Yakobchuk, Shutterstock
