What is Cosequin and how does it work?
Cosequin is a line of joint supplements for dogs, cats, and horses manufactured by Nutramax Laboratories. Cosequin is patented, scientifically researched, and recommended by veterinarans to help your pets maintain healthy joints and mobility. All Cosequin supplements are made with high quality glucosamine and chondroitin because these ingredients have been scientifically formulated to help support and maintain joint health and prevent cartilage breakdown.
Why should I use Cosequin in my pet?
As dogs and cats age, their joints become less flexible which may affect their mobility, ability to exercise, and quality of life. Cosequin products may help older pets stay active. They also offer joint support for overweight animals, working breeds, as well as healthy animals. If your pet has an early need for joint support, one of the Cosequin products might be just right for them.
How should Cosequin be used?
Different strengths of Cosequin are available to meet your pet's needs. If your dog has a more advanced need for joint support, a product like Cosequin Soft Chews Plus with MSM might be necessary. Other pets may only need lower levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, so regular strength Cosequin for Small Animals may be a good fit.
What are the side effects?
The manufacturer does not report any major side effects associated with Cosequin. Some pets may experience mild gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea similar to what may occur when switching brands of pet food. Feeding Cosequin with a meal may reduce the chances of gastrointestinal upset.
What should I do if a side effect occurs?
In cases of mild gastrointestinal upset, the manufacturer states that they will usually resolve themselves. Administering Cosequin with a meal may help alleviate this.
Discontinue use if lameness worsens and contact your veterinarian. Seek immediate emergency veterinary care if you know of or suspect an overdose in your pet.
Do I need a prescription for Cosequin?
No. All Cosequin products are over-the-counter nutritional supplements, not drugs.
What are the differences between Cosequin products?
The main difference between the varieties of Cosequin is the number and amount of active ingredients in each capsule, chewable tablet, or powder. Cosequin DS has twice the amount of glucosamine and chondroitin than regular strength Cosequin. Cosequin for Small Animals is recommended for dogs and cats under 24 lbs. If your dog weighs more than that, Cosequin DS Chewable Tablets or Capsules may be better suited for their needs. Other products may have ingredients like MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) as well.
How long does Cosequin need to work?
Because Cosequin is a nutritional supplement, it works more gradually than prescription medications. Most products have a recommended initial administration period of 4 to 6 weeks. Individual pets' responses to Cosequin will vary, and some pets may show dramatic improvements in a shorter period of time.
Is Cosequin better than other joint support supplements?
Nutramax Laboratories claims Cosequin is superior to other similiar joint supplements because even though other products may contain the same ingredients (glucosamine, chondroitin, etc.), Cosequin is made with the high purity glucosamine and low molecular weight chondroitin. These qualities make Cosequin more easily absorbed the digestive system so your pet receives more benefits from the supplement. Nutramax Laboratories also manufactures Cosequin under stringent quality control standards like those adopted by the pharmaceutical industry.
Can I give my dog a joint supplement labeled for human use?
Many human joint supplements use substandard glucosamine and chondroitin. Thanks to Nutramax's strict manufacturing guidelines, each tablet, capsule, or serving of powder contains exactly what is stated on the bottle. These ingredients have been shown to be safe in pets.
Do I still need to give my pet Cosequin if their dry pet food contains glucosamine and chondroitin?
Most likely yes you would still need to give your pet Cosequin if you want to properly support their joints. The amounts and qualities of glucosamine and chondroitin in some commercial pet food brands is often inferior to Cosequin. Your pet would need to consume more than their daily requirements of food to get the same amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin included in Cosequin.
My pet won't accept Cosequin Chewable Tablets. What should I do?
If your pet won't accept the chewable tablets, there are multiple options you can try. You can crumble up the tablets and mix them in with your pet's wet food or with treats. Another option is to hide the tablets inside Pill Pockets. You can also try switching to Cosequin Capsules or even Soft Chews.
Can I give my cat or dog Cosequin even if they're taking an NSAID for joint pain?
Because Cosequin is an over-the-counter supplement, it can be given to pets who are already taking Rimadyl, Carprofen, Vetprofen, etc. However, because every pet may react to supplements differently, consult with your veterinarian before administering it to your pet if they are already taking a prescription joint pain reliever.
Is it safe to give my dog Cosequin if they are on Proin?
Nutramax Laboratories does not list any specific cautions regarding Cosequin and Proin or other medications to treat urinary incontinence, however you should consult your veterinarian before starting your pet on a new supplement regimen, especially if they are already taking other medications.
Can I give canine products to my cat or vice versa?
No. Only give Cosequin products to the animals listed on the label and according to the dosing guidelines and your veterinarian's instructions. Canine formulas tend to have higher concentrations of glucosamine and chondroitin which would be too much for cats.
Will Cosequin affect my dog's diabetes?
Animals with diabetes may require close monitoring of their blood glucose levels while using glucosamine-containing supplements like Cosequin. Consult with your veterinarian.
If my pet has food allergies should I give them Cosequin?
Some pets may be allergic to the beef flavoring in Cosequin Chewable Tablets. If your pet shows signs of a reaction, stop administering Cosequin, and seek veterinary care. Cosequin Capsules do not have any flavoring in them and may be a suitable alternative for pets with food sensitivities.
Some pets with shellfish allergies may react poorly to the Green Lipped Mussel (perna canliculus) in Cosequin Bonelets Plus, while others may be allergic to the glucosamine derived from shellfish sources. Itching may be a sign of an allergic reaction caused by the shellfish. If your dog becomes itchy after taking Cosequin or has any other kind of reaction, stop administering the supplement and seek veterinary care. Consider a hypoallergenic joint supplement for pets with shellfish allergies like PhyCox Max HA Soft Chews.
Can I give Cosequin for life?
At the maintenance dose levels, Cosequin is designed for long-term administration. Unless your veterinarian recommends something else, your pet may benefit from daily joint supplements for life. Cosequin may also be used to help prevent joint deterioration in younger dogs.
What is an Optimized Formula and should I give my horse this?
Both Cosequin products for horses help maintain your animal's joint health. Cosequin Optimmized simply has higher levels of active ingredients than original Cosequin Equine Concentrated Powder. If your horse is involved in heavy activity, they may benefit from the extra glucosamine Cosequin Optimized provides. One serving of Cosequin EQ Optimized Formula contains 14,400 mg of glucosamine versus the 10,800 mg of glucosamine per serving of Cosequin Equine.
Should I switch from original Cosequin Equine to Cosequin Optimized?
If you are pleased with the results you see with Cosequin Equine, then continue giving it to your horse as directed. However, if your horse will be involved with increased physical activity (i.e. an intense competition schedule), then you may want to switch to Cosequin Optimized Formula for its extra active ingredients.
Is Cosequin made in China?
No. Cosequin and other products by Nutramax Laboratories are manufactured in the United States.