Dasuquin and Cosequin are both made by Nutramax Laboratories, and the practical difference is what sits on top of the shared glucosamine-and-chondroitin base. Cosequin is the retail line built around glucosamine hydrochloride and sodium chondroitin sulfate. Dasuquin keeps that base and adds avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), plus botanical extracts in the higher tiers, and Dasuquin Advanced is sold only through veterinarians.
Most comparison articles stop at “Dasuquin has ASU.” That leaves out the part owners actually need: the amounts are not comparable chew-for-chew, the daily dose changes after the first six weeks, and the real cost gap depends on how many chews your dog takes, not on the sticker price of the bag.
Answer box: the short version
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Same company? | Yes. Both are Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences products. |
| Core difference | Dasuquin adds ASU (NMX1000) to the Cosequin glucosamine + chondroitin base; Dasuquin Advanced adds a boswellia/curcumin/green tea/alpha-lipoic acid blend and omega-3s. |
| Stronger per chew? | Dasuquin large-dog chews carry 900 mg glucosamine vs 600 mg in the Cosequin DS soft chew with MSM. |
| Which is easier to buy? | Cosequin is retail. Dasuquin Advanced is veterinarian-dispensed only. |
| What does the evidence say? | Mixed. Some canine trials show benefit from glucosamine/chondroitin, others show none. ASU has supportive experimental canine data. |
| Who decides? | Your veterinarian, after an actual lameness exam. A supplement is not a substitute for a diagnosis. |
What is actually in each one? (verified label amounts)
Every number below comes from a published product label, not from a marketing page. Note that some are chewable tablets and some are soft chews, so read the middle column before comparing.
| Product | Form | Glucosamine HCl | Chondroitin sulfate | MSM | ASU | Other actives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosequin DS Chewable Tablets | tablet | 500 mg | 400 mg | — | — | Manganese 3 mg |
| Cosequin DS Soft Chews Plus MSM (packaging reads “Maximum Strength”) | soft chew | 600 mg | 300 mg | 400 mg | — | — |
| Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews, small/medium dogs | soft chew | 600 mg | 250 mg | 400 mg | 45 mg | Boswellia 20 mg, green tea 16 mg, omega-3s 60 mg |
| Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews, large dogs | soft chew | 900 mg | 350 mg | 800 mg | 90 mg | Boswellia 40 mg, green tea 32 mg, omega-3s 90 mg |
| Dasuquin Advanced Soft Chews, large dogs | soft chew | 900 mg | 350 mg | 800 mg | 90 mg | 140 mg proprietary blend (boswellia/AKBA, curcuminoids NMXCC95, green tea EGCG, alpha-lipoic acid), EPA+DHA+ETA 85 mg, manganese 3 mg |
Three things fall out of that table that the usual “Dasuquin has ASU” summary hides.
First, chondroitin does not scale with glucosamine. The Cosequin DS tablet actually carries more chondroitin per unit (400 mg) than the large-dog Dasuquin chew (350 mg). If chondroitin is what your veterinarian is targeting, the premium tier is not automatically the higher-chondroitin choice.
Second, the small/medium Dasuquin chew is not a shrunken large-dog chew. It has half the ASU and half the MSM. Buying the wrong size bag changes the formula, not only the count.
Third, Dasuquin Advanced does not raise glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM or ASU above regular Dasuquin at all. Every one of those four numbers is identical. What Advanced adds is the 140 mg botanical blend, the omega-3 fatty acids and manganese. That is a meaningful difference in composition, but it is a different-ingredients difference, not a higher-dose difference. Owners who assume “Advanced” means “more of the same” are reading the name, not the label. Our full breakdown of that tier is in our Dasuquin Advanced review for dog owners.
Does the daily dose change the comparison? (yes, and nobody mentions it)
Both lines use a loading period followed by a lower maintenance dose. That means a per-chew comparison is only half the picture.
| Product (dog around 70 lb) | First 4–6 weeks | Maintenance | Glucosamine/day at maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosequin DS Chewable Tablets | 3 tablets | 1–2 tablets | 500–1,000 mg |
| Cosequin DS Soft Chews Plus MSM | 3 chews | 1–2 chews | 600–1,200 mg |
| Dasuquin Advanced Soft Chews, large dogs | 2 chews | 1 chew | 900 mg |
A 70-pound dog on two Cosequin Maximum Strength chews per day is receiving more glucosamine and more MSM than the same dog on one Dasuquin Advanced chew. The Dasuquin dog is receiving ASU and the botanical blend, which the Cosequin dog is not. So the honest framing is: Dasuquin buys you different ingredients, and only sometimes more of the shared ones. If you want the underlying ingredient science first, start with our explainer on how glucosamine works in dogs.
How do I calculate the real cost per day?
Retail prices move constantly, so the useful thing is the arithmetic, not a price we quote today.
Cost per day = (bag price ÷ chews per bag) × chews per day at maintenance.
Worked example, using placeholder prices you should replace with what you actually see:
- Cosequin DS Soft Chews Plus MSM, 120-count bag at $45 → $0.375 per chew × 2 chews/day = $0.75/day
- Dasuquin Advanced, 140-count bag at $110 → $0.786 per chew × 1 chew/day = $0.79/day
The gap between the two lines narrows sharply once you account for the fact that Dasuquin’s maintenance dose for a large dog is a single chew while Cosequin’s is one to two. Run the same arithmetic on the loading period separately, because a 2-chew and a 3-chew loading schedule are not the same monthly bill. Owners who compare bag prices alone routinely get this backwards.
What does the research actually support?
Evidence for oral joint supplements in dogs is genuinely mixed, and any article that tells you otherwise is selling something.
On the supportive side, a randomised, double-blind, positive-controlled trial of 35 dogs with confirmed hip or elbow osteoarthritis found statistically significant improvement in pain, weight-bearing and severity scores by day 70 in the glucosamine/chondroitin group, with a slower onset than carprofen (McCarthy et al., The Veterinary Journal, 2007).
On the skeptical side, a 2023 block-randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in 75 owned dogs with hip osteoarthritis measured peak vertical force on a force plate and found that two marine fatty acid compounds improved objective gait measures at 4 and 6 weeks, but glucosamine/chondroitin did not (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2023).
The Merck Veterinary Manual reflects that split. It notes that a systematic review and meta-analysis found no evidence of benefit and did not support glucosamine/chondroitin for pain management in canine and feline osteoarthritis, while also noting that other ingredients found in commercial products, including avocado and soybean unsaponifiables, are possibly efficacious.
For ASU specifically, the strongest canine data is experimental rather than clinical. In an anterior cruciate ligament transection model, dogs given ASU at 10 mg/kg per day for eight weeks had smaller macroscopic lesions, less severe cartilage lesions, less subchondral bone volume loss and reduced iNOS and MMP-13 in cartilage compared with placebo (Boileau et al., Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2009). That is a structural finding in a surgical model, not a demonstration that a soft chew will make your dog’s limp go away.
What that adds up to: research suggests these ingredients may support joint comfort and cartilage health in some dogs, evidence remains limited and inconsistent, and no supplement in either line is a treatment for arthritis. Neither product is a drug and neither is approved to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.
Which one fits my dog?
| Situation | Reasonable starting point |
|---|---|
| Young, healthy, large or giant breed you want to support proactively | Cosequin retail tier; simplest and cheapest to sustain long-term |
| Dog under 10 lb | Check the specific label: the Cosequin DS Plus MSM soft chew label directs half a chew daily for dogs under 10 lb, and the DS chewable tablet label directs half a tablet. Splitting accurately matters more at this size |
| First signs of stiffness, no diagnosis yet | Book the vet exam first; a supplement chosen before the diagnosis may be aimed at the wrong problem |
| Diagnosed osteoarthritis, already on a vet plan | Ask specifically about Dasuquin or Dasuquin Advanced, since ASU and the botanical blend are the ingredients you cannot get in the retail tier |
| Dog already on a fish-oil supplement | Check the omega-3 content of Dasuquin Advanced before stacking, so you are not double-dosing |
| Shellfish-sensitive dog | Flag it. Cosequin’s glucosamine is derived from shellfish per the label |
| Post-surgical recovery | Veterinarian decision, not a shelf decision |
If you are still deciding between categories rather than brands, our complete guide to dog joint supplements covers the ingredient families side by side.
What should I realistically expect, and when?
Both labels build in a four-to-six week initial period for a reason, and the clinical trial above found the glucosamine/chondroitin group reached statistical significance at day 70 rather than day 14.
- Weeks 1–2: Expect nothing measurable. Use this window to establish the habit and confirm your dog tolerates the chew.
- Weeks 3–6: The earliest point at which some owners report changes in willingness to rise, climb stairs or jump. Track it. Video your dog on the same staircase weekly rather than relying on memory.
- Weeks 6–10: If there is going to be an observable change, this is typically where it shows. Talk to your veterinarian about dropping to maintenance dosing.
- No change by week 10–12: Reassess with your vet rather than escalating the dose or adding a second product.
Common mistakes owners make with these two products
- Comparing bag prices instead of cost per day. The maintenance dose differs between the lines.
- Buying the small/medium Dasuquin for a large dog to save money. The ASU and MSM amounts are half, so you are not buying a smaller portion of the same thing.
- Stopping at week three. Neither label’s own schedule expects results that early.
- Stacking two joint chews. Two glucosamine products at once means an unmonitored total dose. Ask before combining.
- Assuming “Advanced” means higher dosages. The four shared actives are identical to regular Dasuquin at the same size.
- Treating a supplement as pain control. It is not an analgesic. If your dog is painful, that is a veterinary conversation, and our overview of options for dog joint pain relief explains where supplements sit relative to prescription approaches.
When to call your veterinarian instead of buying a supplement
Do not start with a chew if you see any of the following. These warrant an exam, not a shopping decision.
- Sudden, non-weight-bearing lameness, or lameness that appeared overnight
- Yelping, guarding, or aggression when a limb or the hips are touched
- Visible swelling, heat, or a joint that looks the wrong shape
- Lameness in a young, rapidly growing large-breed dog
- Reluctance to stand at all, or dragging a limb
- Lameness alongside fever, appetite loss, or lethargy
- Any dog with a known liver, kidney, or bleeding disorder, or a dog on other medication, before adding any supplement
Weight management and controlled exercise remain part of standard multimodal osteoarthritis care described in the veterinary literature, and neither product replaces them. A dog carrying extra body weight is working against every chew you buy.
FAQ
Is Dasuquin just a stronger Cosequin?
No. Dasuquin adds ASU, and Dasuquin Advanced adds a botanical blend and omega-3s. On chondroitin, the Cosequin DS tablet’s 400 mg is actually higher than the 350 mg in the large-dog Dasuquin chew.
Can I switch my dog from Cosequin to Dasuquin?
Ask your veterinarian first, and follow the new product’s initial four-to-six week schedule rather than jumping straight to maintenance. Do not run both at once.
Why is Dasuquin Advanced hard to find online?
The label states it is sold only through veterinarians, is not for internet resale, and has no generic equivalent.
How long before I see anything?
Both labels use an initial four-to-six week administration period, and the 2007 canine trial reached statistical significance at day 70. Plan on two to three months before judging.
Do these supplements have side effects?
Reported issues with oral joint supplements in dogs are most commonly digestive upset. Because glucosamine here is shellfish-derived, mention any known sensitivity to your vet. Discuss any supplement with your veterinarian if your dog takes other medication.
Are there alternatives to the Nutramax lines?
Many brands use the same ingredient families at different amounts and quality tiers. The useful comparison is always per-day totals of named, quantified actives, not marketing language. Our Cosequin review for dog owners applies that same method to the retail line.
If you are shopping the wider category after this comparison, brands such as Pure Majesty Pets also offer hip and joint chews for dogs; apply the same label-reading test to any product you consider, and take the label to your veterinarian before starting.
References
- Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences. Cosequin DS Joint Health Supplement for Dogs — Chewable Tablets (product label). https://www.cosequin.com/joint-supplement/dog/chewable-tablet/ds
- Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences. Dasuquin With MSM Soft Chews (product label, small/medium and large dog amounts). https://www.dasuquin.com/product/dasuquin-soft-chews-w-msm
- Drugs.com / Animalytix. Cosequin DS Soft Chews Plus MSM for Dogs (label reproduction), updated 2026. https://www.drugs.com/vet/cosequin-ds-soft-chews-plus-msm.html
- Drugs.com / Animalytix. Dasuquin Advanced Soft Chews For Large Dogs (label reproduction), updated 2026. https://www.drugs.com/vet/dasuquin-advanced-soft-chews-for-large-dogs.html
- McCarthy G, O’Donovan J, Jones B, McAllister H, Seed M, Mooney C. “Randomised double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis.” The Veterinary Journal, 2007;174(1):54–61. PMID 16647870. DOI 10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.02.015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16647870/
- Boileau C, Martel-Pelletier J, Caron J, Msika P, Guillou GB, Baudouin C, Pelletier JP. “Protective effects of total fraction of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables on the structural changes in experimental dog osteoarthritis.” Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2009;11(2):R41. PMID 19291317. DOI 10.1186/ar2649. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19291317/
- “Study of the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, marine based fatty acid compounds (PCSO-524 and EAB-277), and carprofen for the treatment of dogs with hip osteoarthritis: A prospective, block-randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2023. DOI 10.3389/fvets.2023.1033188. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1033188/full
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/osteoarthritis-in-dogs-and-cats/osteoarthritis-in-dogs-and-cats
Veterinary disclaimer
This article is educational and is not veterinary advice. Dietary supplements are not drugs and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Product formulations and dosing schedules change; always read the current label on the package you buy. Talk to your veterinarian before starting, stopping, combining or changing any supplement, particularly if your dog is on medication, is pregnant, or has a diagnosed medical condition. Dog Health Insider is an independent publication and is not affiliated with Nutramax Laboratories or with any brand mentioned.