Glucosamine and chondrotin supplements have been proven effective for humans for keeping the cartilage of joints healthy. Since glucosamine is a precursor for glycosaminoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans are one of the major components in joint cartilage, supplemental glucosamine is often used to help prevent cartilage degeneration and treat arthritis. The same glucosamine treatments used by humans are effective in dogs, as well. Whether you choose to spend your money on the glucosamine supplements that are flavored and made for dogs, or to share the same glucosamine supplements that you take for yourself with your dog, they are both effective. The supplements made for dogs are frequently more expensive than the quality glucosamine supplements that are made for humans. It is important to pay attention to dosing. Obviously you should not give a 3 pound chihuahua the same concentration of the supplement as is meant for a full grown human being. Here is a chart to guide in dosing:
| Dog Weight | Glucosamine Concentration per day | Chondrotin Concentration per day |
| < 25 pounds | 500 mg | 400 mg |
| 25-50 pounds | 1,000 mg | 800 mg |
| 51-75 pounds | 1,500 mg | 1,200 mg |
| > 75 pounds | 2,000 mg | 1,600 mg |
A handy trick to get your dog to eat a non-flavored glucosamine pill is to dip it in peanut butter. The peanut butter is sticky, so the dog cannot just eat the peanut butter from around the pill and leave the pill. The other option, of course, is to put the pill at the very back of the dogs mouth, and then gently rub his throat to make him swallow.
