Cosequin vs Dasuquin: Which Joint Supplement Is Right for Your Dog?

Cosequin and Dasuquin sit side by side on the same shelf, come from the same company, and each is marketed as the joint supplement brand veterinarians recommend most. So which one should your dog take, and is Dasuquin really worth the higher price?

The short version: the two products share the same core formula, and Dasuquin adds a few extra ingredients on top, the most important being ASU (avocado/soybean unsaponifiables). This guide compares the exact amounts per tablet, explains what ASU actually does, and gives a simple way to decide which one fits your dog.

Cosequin vs Dasuquin at a Glance

The table compares the two most popular retail versions for dogs, using the amounts published by the manufacturer on cosequin.com and dasuquin.com.

Two things stand out. First, the glucosamine and chondroitin doses are in the same range: a large dog gets a comparable daily amount from either brand once the feeding chart is followed. Second, everything in Dasuquin's extra rows (ASU, boswellia, green tea, more MSM) is what you pay the difference for.

What Cosequin and Dasuquin Have in Common

• Same manufacturer. Both are made by Nutramax Laboratories in the United States.
• Same core ingredients. Both use the company's FCHG49 glucosamine hydrochloride and TRH122 sodium chondroitin sulfate, the two building blocks of cartilage that most joint supplements are built around.
• Same way of giving it. Both start with a loading phase of four to six weeks at a higher dose, then drop to a lower maintenance dose.
• Same formats. Both come as chewable tablets and soft chews, in versions for dogs and for cats.
• Same goal. Both are designed to support normal cartilage and joint function. Neither is a pain medication.

The Real Difference: ASU

ASU stands for avocado/soybean unsaponifiables, a fraction extracted from avocado and soybean oils. It is the ingredient that defines Dasuquin.

The most cited dog study on ASU was published in Arthritis Research & Therapy in 2009. Researchers induced knee osteoarthritis in two groups of eight dogs and gave one group ASU for eight weeks. The dogs that received ASU developed smaller cartilage lesions and less damage to the bone under the cartilage than the placebo group. Laboratory work on cartilage cells, carried out by researchers connected to Nutramax, also found that ASU combined with glucosamine and chondroitin reduced inflammatory signals more than glucosamine and chondroitin alone.

Those results are encouraging, but keep their limits in mind: the dog study was small, used an experimental injury model rather than naturally aging dogs, and measured joint tissue rather than how well the dogs walked. ASU is a reasonable extra for dogs with established arthritis. It is not a proven cure.

Dasuquin also adds boswellia serrata (an herbal extract traditionally used for inflammation), decaffeinated green tea extract and a higher dose of MSM, a sulfur compound commonly added to joint products.

Dosage by Weight

Both brands use a loading phase, then a maintenance dose. These are the manufacturer's feeding charts for the tablets in the table above.

*Dasuquin's chart uses slightly different weight bands (under 10 lbs, 10 to 29 lbs, 30 to 59 lbs, 60 lbs and over), so the small dog rows are shown as ranges. Always follow the label on the exact product you buy.

Note how the dose for a dog over 60 lbs changes the math: Cosequin needs up to three tablets a day during loading, while the large dog Dasuquin needs two. Compare the cost per day for your dog's weight, not the price per bottle.

Which One Should Your Dog Take?

Choose Cosequin if:

• Your dog is young or middle aged and active, and you want to support joints before problems start.
• Your dog has a soy allergy. ASU is derived partly from soybean oil.
• Your dog has a sensitive stomach. Veterinarians at PetMD note that some dogs get digestive upset from the ASU in Dasuquin and do better on Cosequin.
• Budget matters. Cosequin generally costs less for the same core ingredients.

→ Check Cosequin with MSM for Dogs on Amazon

Choose Dasuquin if:

• Your dog has diagnosed osteoarthritis or hip or elbow dysplasia.
• Your dog is a large or giant breed, where the large dog tablet keeps the daily tablet count down.
• Your dog is recovering from joint surgery and your veterinarian recommends the extra ingredients.
• Your dog has been on Cosequin for a few months with little change, and your veterinarian suggests trying the ASU formula.

Not sure? Start with this checklist

1. Is there a diagnosis of arthritis? If yes, lean toward Dasuquin. If no, Cosequin is a sensible start.
2. Any soy allergy or history of stomach upset with supplements? If yes, choose Cosequin.
3. Over 60 lbs? Compare the cost per day using the feeding chart, not the price per bottle.
4. Already taking pain medication? Tell your veterinarian before adding any supplement.

For a wider comparison that includes green lipped mussel, omega-3 and budget options, see our guide to the best joint supplements for dogs.

What the Research Says (Set Realistic Expectations)

It is worth being honest about the evidence. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of supplements and therapeutic diets for osteoarthritis in dogs and cats found clear pain relief from omega-3 fatty acids, but no meaningful pain relief from glucosamine and chondroitin products. Earlier trials were mixed, and some did report improvements in dogs.

What this means in practice:

• Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements like Cosequin and Dasuquin are very safe and many veterinarians still use them as one part of a plan, but they should not be the only thing a dog in pain gets.
• For a dog that is already limping, the measures with the strongest evidence are weight control, pain medication prescribed by a veterinarian, controlled exercise and omega-3. Our guide to fish oil for dogs covers doses and risks.
• Give any joint supplement at least six to eight weeks before judging it, and track something concrete: how easily your dog gets up, climbs stairs or jumps into the car.

If you are not sure whether your dog's stiffness is arthritis, our checklist of the early signs of arthritis in dogs can help you prepare for the vet visit.

Cosequin vs Dasuquin for Cats

Both brands make sprinkle capsules for cats, which are opened and mixed into wet food. The difference follows the same pattern as for dogs:

Both use one capsule a day for cats under 10 lbs during the first four to six weeks, then one capsule every other day. Cats often hide joint pain: a cat that stops jumping onto the bed, struggles with the litter box edge or grooms less may be stiff rather than lazy. Older cats with joint pain frequently have other conditions too, such as kidney disease, so a veterinary check is worth it before starting.

Dasuquin vs Dasuquin Advanced

Dasuquin Advanced is a veterinarian exclusive formula: it is sold through veterinary clinics, not in regular stores. It contains the same glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and ASU as Dasuquin with MSM, plus a proprietary blend, omega-3 fatty acids and manganese, according to the manufacturer. If your veterinarian recommends it, it is usually for dogs with more advanced arthritis. Listings online that claim to sell it should be treated with caution.

Side Effects and Safety

Both supplements are well tolerated by most dogs. The issues that do come up are usually mild:

• Digestive upset such as soft stool, gas or vomiting, more often reported with Dasuquin because of the ASU. Giving the tablet with a meal often helps.
• Soy sensitivity with Dasuquin, because ASU comes partly from soybean oil.
• Treat-like flavors. Chewable tablets and soft chews are flavored, so store them out of reach. A dog that eats a whole bottle should be seen by a veterinarian.

Tell your veterinarian about every supplement your dog takes, especially if your dog has diabetes, kidney or liver disease, or is on prescription medication.

The Bottom Line

Cosequin and Dasuquin are two versions of the same idea from the same company. Cosequin delivers the core glucosamine and chondroitin formula at a lower price and suits most dogs for prevention and mild stiffness. Dasuquin adds ASU and a few extras that make the most sense for dogs with diagnosed arthritis, large breeds and dogs whose veterinarian wants the extra support. Whichever you choose, give it time, follow the loading phase, and combine it with the measures that matter most: a lean body weight, the right exercise and a pain plan from your veterinarian when it is needed.

Sources & References

• Nutramax Laboratories: Cosequin Chewable Tablets with MSM for Dogs
• Nutramax Laboratories: Dasuquin with MSM Chewable Tablets
• Nutramax Laboratories: Cosequin Sprinkle Capsules for Cats
• Nutramax Laboratories: Dasuquin Sprinkle Capsules for Cats
• Boileau C. et al. (2009). Protective effects of total fraction of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables on the structural changes in experimental dog osteoarthritis. Arthritis Research & Therapy 11:R41
• Barbeau-Grégoire M. et al. (2022). A 2022 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Enriched Therapeutic Diets and Nutraceuticals in Canine and Feline Osteoarthritis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23(18):10384
• PetMD: Cosequin vs. Dasuquin, What's the Difference?