Glucosamine
Our ingredient score: 4 / 5 · Glucosamine or chondroitin · How We Score
Glucosamine is one of the building blocks of joint cartilage. It is added in the hope of supporting cartilage and keeping joints flexible, but published evidence in cats is lacking. That is why it is often used in foods made for cats that are older, overweight or starting to have joint problems. It is usually added together with chondroitin sulfate, in the hope that the two together support joint health.
Glucosamine also appears on labels as Glucosamine Hydrochloride.
Common Questions
Why is glucosamine paired with chondroitin in cat food?
The two are usually added together in the hope of supporting joint health, but there is little published evidence in cats that the pair works.
Is glucosamine safe for cats?
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that the body uses to build joint cartilage, and some cat foods add it as glucosamine hydrochloride. The Merck Veterinary Manual names glucosamine as one of the most common nutraceuticals used for arthritis pain in dogs and cats, while noting that a systematic review found no evidence of a benefit for pain. A cat with arthritis or another medical condition should have its veterinarian weigh in.
Source: merckvetmanual.com
Why is glucosamine in cat food?
Glucosamine is added to support joints. It is a building block of cartilage, the cushion at the ends of bones, and makers include it in senior and mobility recipes on the idea that extra glucosamine helps cartilage stay flexible. Proof that it helps cat joints is limited, and the amount in a food is usually small.
Does glucosamine work for cats with arthritis?
Current evidence does not show that it does. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports a systematic review and meta-analysis that found no evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin had an effect, and concluded the evidence did not support them for arthritis pain management in dogs and cats. A cat that is stiff or slow to jump should see a veterinarian before any supplement is tried.
Source: merckvetmanual.com
What is the difference between glucosamine and glucosamine hydrochloride?
Glucosamine hydrochloride is glucosamine bound to hydrochloric acid to make a stable salt that can be added to food. Glucosamine sulfate is another salt form. On a label, the hydrochloride name just tells you which form was used. Pettings lists all of them on one glucosamine page, since the active part is the same.
How does Pettings score glucosamine?
Pettings gives glucosamine 4 out of 5 and lists it as a cat food ingredient used for joint support. It appears on 2 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. The score covers glucosamine in any of its salt forms. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.
How Foods With Glucosamine Compare
Glucosamine is on the label of 2 of the 149 dry cat foods we list.