Dogs love to run and play, but if your dog has mobility issues like hip dysplasia, the joint pain can prevent these fun activities. Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that can cause dysfunction and pain, often leading to arthritis or muscle atrophy as the dog ages.
Fortunately, you can help your dog manage this condition with a proper diet. Along with keeping your dog’s weight under control to minimize stress on the joints, food formulated to help with joint support can be helpful. Here are our picks for the best dog food for hip dysplasia, based on reviews from pet owners like you.
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.
A Quick Glance at Our Top Picks (2024 Update)
The 7 Best Dog Foods for Hip Dysplasia
1. The Farmer’s Dog (Beef Recipe) Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Beef, sweet potatoes, cooked lentils, carrots, beef liver |
| Protein content: | 39% |
| Fat content: | 73% |
| Calories: | 721 kcal/lb |
The Farmer’s Dog is the best overall dog food for hip dysplasia. This premium subscription dog food service provides fresh, custom-made food designed for your dog, which is then delivered directly to your door. You simply input information about your dog’s age, weight, breed, activity level, and allergies, and you receive your custom feeding profile.
From there, you choose a flavor and delivery schedule for your dog’s meals. All food is made in USDA-inspected facilities located in the US. There are four recipes in total, all of which offer complete and balanced nutrition. This review is based on the beef recipe, which offers the second-highest protein level in the product line and contains fish oil, a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids for joint health. This product is not available in stores, so you have to plan your meals appropriately.
Pros
- Custom-made formulas
- High in omega-3 fatty acids
- Convenient
2. Blue Buffalo Mobility Support Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy
| Main ingredients: | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, barley, natural flavor |
| Protein content: | 26% |
| Fat content: | 15% |
| Calories: | 395 kcal/cup |
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Jolly Joints Mobility Support Formula Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for hip dysplasia for the money. Formulated by a team of veterinarians and animal nutritionists, this food uses real chicken as the first ingredient for high-quality protein. The food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin to help support hip and joint health, as well as fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids.
This food has no artificial flavors or preservatives, wheat, soy, or meat by-product meal. Some reviewers noted that it has a strong fish smell, which may be off-putting to a dog. Others mentioned the LifeSource Bits are too small for large breeds.
Pros
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
Cons
- Strong fish smell
- Not appropriate for large breeds
3. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Joint Mobility Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Brewer’s rice, trout, salmon meal, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal, dried egg product |
| Protein content: | 30% |
| Fat content: | 12% |
| Calories: | 401 kcal/cup |
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Joint Mobility Dry Dog Food cares for cartilage health in dogs with hip dysplasia. Created with the guidance of researchers, veterinarians, and nutritionists, this dog food has plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, antioxidants, and vitamin E to support joint health and overall wellness.
This food is appropriate for dogs at all life stages and has high protein to promote lean muscle mass and a healthy weight. This dog food is only available with a prescription. Many reviewers saw good results, though some commented on the poor quality stool and dullness of their dogs’ coats.
Pros
- Omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine
- Formulated for joint health
- Created by veterinarians and nutritionists
Cons
- May cause poor quality stool
- May cause dull coats
4. American Journey Active Life Puppy Food
| Main ingredients: | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas, rice bran, brewer’s rice |
| Protein content: | 25% |
| Fat content: | 15% |
| Calories: | 365 kcal/cup |
American Journey Active Life Formula Puppy Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe Dog Food is the best choice for puppies with hip dysplasia. Designed for an active life, this puppy formula has complete and balanced nutrition to support healthy development, including real chicken as the first ingredient for muscle growth.
For joint health, the food contains DHA and ARA, two naturally occurring fatty acids. It also contains nutrient-dense ingredients like kelp, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and cranberries. The food is made with no wheat, soy, meat by-products, or artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Several reviewers said the kibble was too large for their puppies, however.
Pros
- Real chicken as first ingredient
- Fatty acids for joint health
- No wheat, soy, meat by-products, artificial ingredients
Cons
- Kibble may be too large for small puppies
5. Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, flaxseed, chicken meal, corn gluten meal, chicken fat, chicken liver flavor, fish oil |
| Protein content: | 17% |
| Fat content: | 11% |
| Calories: | 364 kcal/cup |
Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food is good dog food for dogs with hip dysplasia. Clinically proven to help your dog walk, run, and jump more easily in just 21 days, this food is excellent for supporting joint and cartilage health. It’s an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
This food not only supports joint health directly with nutrients, but it has controlled calories and L-carnitine to support a healthy weight that limits pressure on your dog’s joints. Some reviewers noticed their dogs’ stool became hard and less regular. This food is only available with a prescription.
Pros
- Clinically proven to improve mobility
- Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Glucosamine and chondroitin
Cons
- Only available with a prescription
- May cause constipation/hard stool
6. Dave’s Pet Food Naturally Healthy Joint Formula
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, water, beef, liver, beef lungs, brewers brewer’s rice, dehydrated pork meat solubles, flaxseed |
| Protein content: | 8% |
| Fat content: | 7% |
| Calories: | 472 kcal/can |
Dave’s Pet Food Naturally Healthy Joint Formula Canned Dog Food is a gluten-free pate dog food with real chicken as the first ingredient for high-quality protein. For joint health, the ingredients are a great source of glucosamine and chondroitin. This food has complete and balanced nutrition on its own, or it can be mixed with dry food.
This formula is specifically designed for older or large breed dogs with added vitamins A and D to help support mobility. It’s made without wheat, gluten, or soy. Some reviewers noted the food is a bit hard, which may be difficult for some dogs to eat comfortably.
Pros
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Good source of glucosamine and chondroitin
- No wheat, gluten, or soy
7. AvoDerm Advanced Joint Health Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken meal, peas, chicken cartilage, pea flour, garbanzo beans, tapioca flour, chicken fat |
| Protein content: | 30% |
| Fat content: | 12% |
| Calories: | 368 kcal/cup |
AvoDerm Advanced Joint Health Chicken Meal Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is specially formulated to support joint health and mobility. It contains naturally sourced chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine for joints and cartilage, as well as omega-rich avocados to support your dog’s coat and skin. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are also included for healthy fats and oils.
This food contains chicken as the first ingredient and no artificial flavors, colors, or by-products. Note that avocados contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can cause health problems. Dogs are more resistant to persin than other animals, and it’s only present in small amounts in avocado flesh, but it’s important to consider this before feeding this dog food.
Pros
- Good source of chondroitin and glucosamine
- Good source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
- No artificial flavors, colors, or by-products
Cons
- Avocados may have adverse effects in dogs
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Foods for Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition that can cause mild discomfort, but as your dog ages, this could progress to lameness and arthritis. Feeding your dog a food that’s designed to support joint health may help your dog live more comfortably with hip dysplasia and mobility issues.
Here are some things to look for:
- Omega-3 fatty acids: These fatty acids naturally occur in fish oil and flaxseed oil, which can be in their diet or given as a supplement. They have natural anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the hips.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin: Bone broth, cartilage, or additional glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can help strengthen and rebuild cartilage to support joint health.
- Calories: It’s important to keep a dog with joint or mobility issues at a healthy weight. If your dog is overweight, it can put added stress on the joints which causes pain and discomfort.
Always speak to your vet about the best food or supplement choices to help your dog live its best life with hip dysplasia.
Conclusion
Hip dysplasia can cause pain and discomfort for your dog, but plenty of dog foods are available with added joint and mobility support. The Farmer’s Dog is the best overall dog food for hip dysplasia for its omega-3 and protein content. For the best value, choose Blue Buffalo. The premium choice is Purina Pro. For puppies, choose American Journey.
Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock
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