Quick answer: Dasuquin Advanced is Nutramax’s top-tier joint formula — the standard Dasuquin core (glucosamine, chondroitin, and ASU) plus a botanical blend of boswellia, turmeric, green tea, and alpha-lipoic acid, with added omega-3s. It is a genuinely strong, dose-disclosed supplement from the most vet-recommended brand, and the addition of ASU and boswellia gives it a real edge over plain glucosamine products. Its two catches are cost (it is vet-exclusive and premium-priced) and a proprietary blend that lumps four botanicals into one combined number.
Below are the exact per-chew amounts from Nutramax’s official page, an honest read on whether ASU earns its keep, and how Advanced stacks up against both regular Cosequin and a broader 18-active chew.
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What makes Dasuquin Advanced different
Nutramax sells joint supplements in a tiered lineup. Cosequin is the retail base. Dasuquin adds avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU). Dasuquin Advanced is the vet-exclusive top tier that keeps the ASU and layers on a researched botanical blend. It is sold in two strengths — one for small-to-medium dogs, one for large dogs — and it is only available through veterinary channels, which is part of why it costs more.
Dasuquin Advanced Soft Chews: the real label
Here is exactly what one soft chew contains, from Nutramax’s official product page:
| Per soft chew | Small to Medium Dogs | Large Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Glucosamine Hydrochloride (FCHG49) | 600 mg | 900 mg |
| Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) | 400 mg | 800 mg |
| Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate (TRH122) | 250 mg | 350 mg |
| Proprietary blend (Boswellia serrata w/ AKBA, Curcuma longa, green tea EGCG, alpha-lipoic acid) | 70 mg | 140 mg |
| Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU, NMX1000) | 45 mg | 90 mg |
| EPA, DHA, ETA (omega-3s) | 65 mg | 85 mg |
| Manganese (as manganese ascorbate) | 1 mg | 3 mg |
Credit where due: Nutramax prints a number beside almost everything. The one gap is that boswellia, turmeric, green tea, and alpha-lipoic acid are bundled into a single 70 mg (or 140 mg) “proprietary blend,” so you cannot see how much of each your dog actually gets.
Does ASU actually work?
ASU (avocado/soybean unsaponifiables) is the ingredient Nutramax builds the Dasuquin story around, and the honest picture is “promising, not proven.” Laboratory and cartilage-cell research suggests ASU can help slow the enzymes that break cartilage down and support its repair, and it has some supportive human osteoarthritis data. High-quality canine clinical trials on ASU specifically are limited, so much of the case rests on mechanism and combination studies rather than large dog RCTs. It is reasonable to expect a modest benefit, but temper expectations.
The botanicals are on firmer footing. Boswellia serrata has a real canine trial behind it: in a multi-center study, about 71% of dogs with chronic joint disease showed reduced stiffness and pain after roughly six weeks. And the omega-3s (EPA/DHA/ETA) are the single best-supported joint ingredient in dogs — controlled trials show improved weight-bearing and even reduced need for prescription pain medication. Those are the parts of Advanced doing the heaviest evidence-based lifting.
Dasuquin vs Cosequin: which Nutramax formula?
Both come from the same lab. The difference is scope.
| Cosequin DS Plus MSM | Dasuquin Advanced (S/M) | |
|---|---|---|
| Glucosamine HCl | 600 mg | 600 mg |
| Chondroitin sulfate | 300 mg | 250 mg |
| MSM | 250 mg | 400 mg |
| ASU | No | 45 mg |
| Boswellia / turmeric / omega-3 | No | Yes (blend + 65 mg omega-3) |
| Availability | Retail | Vet-exclusive |
| Price tier | Lower | Highest |
If budget is the deciding factor and your dog does fine on the basics, Cosequin is the value pick. If you want the ASU-plus-botanical upgrade and don’t mind buying through your vet, Advanced is the more complete Nutramax option. See our full Cosequin review for the base-tier breakdown.
How Dasuquin Advanced compares to an 18-ingredient chew
Dasuquin Advanced is broad for a Nutramax product, but a few notable joint ingredients still are not in it — green-lipped mussel, UC-II collagen, hyaluronic acid, and eggshell membrane among them. Pure Majesty Pets’ Hip & Joint Chews list 18 named actives that include Dasuquin’s core (glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, boswellia, turmeric, omega-3) plus green-lipped mussel, UC-II, hyaluronic acid, eggshell membrane, ginger, astaxanthin, and more.
| Dasuquin Advanced | Pure Majesty Hip & Joint Chews | |
|---|---|---|
| Named active ingredients | ~10 | 18 |
| ASU | Yes | No |
| Green-lipped mussel & UC-II | No | Yes |
| Every ingredient’s mg printed | Most (4 botanicals in one blend) | Actives named, individual mg not itemized |
| Where to buy | Vet only | Direct, ~$0.38–$1.15/day |
Here is the fair summary. Dasuquin Advanced discloses milligrams for most of its actives, and its ASU is something the Pure Majesty chew does not have — if ASU is your priority, Dasuquin owns that. Pure Majesty counters on breadth and access: 18 actives, including the green-lipped mussel and UC-II that the strongest canine research supports, bought directly rather than through a vet visit. Its honesty gap is the mirror image of Dasuquin’s — it names all 18 ingredients but does not itemize each amount. For an older dog easing into support, the gentler Senior Dog Mobility Chews cover similar ground in a softer chew, and collagen makes a natural companion — see our best collagen for dogs guide.
When to see your vet
Because Dasuquin Advanced is vet-exclusive, you will likely start it during a visit — use that visit well. A supplement supports joints over months; it does not treat a sudden problem. If your dog is acutely lame, won’t put weight on a leg, or is clearly painful, that points to something like a cruciate tear, fracture, or infection that needs an exam and possibly imaging. Vets can prescribe true pain relief (NSAIDs such as carprofen or grapiprant) that supplements cannot replace. Never give human anti-inflammatories — ibuprofen and acetaminophen are toxic to dogs. And pair any supplement with weight control and low-impact exercise, which do more for arthritic joints than any capsule.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dasuquin Advanced worth the extra cost?
If you specifically want ASU plus boswellia and omega-3 from the most vet-trusted brand, yes. If you mainly want broad ingredient coverage at a lower price, a wider retail chew delivers more actives per dollar.
Is Dasuquin Advanced better than regular Dasuquin?
It adds the botanical blend (boswellia, turmeric, green tea, ALA) and omega-3s on top of the ASU core, so it is more complete — at a higher price and vet-only availability.
Can I buy Dasuquin Advanced without a vet?
It is marketed as veterinarian-exclusive, so it is typically sold through vet clinics and their authorized partners rather than general retail.
How long until Dasuquin Advanced works?
Nutramax recommends a four-to-six-week initial period. The boswellia and omega-3 components often show up around that same window in studies.
What if my dog can’t tolerate the chew?
A measured liquid glucosamine lets you dose to weight for dogs that spit out chews, and our glucosamine for dogs guide covers forms and dosing.
The bottom line
Dasuquin Advanced is a legitimately strong formula and the most complete option in Nutramax’s own lineup, with ASU and boswellia as real differentiators. Its downsides are price and vet-only access. If you want the widest ingredient coverage — including the green-lipped mussel and UC-II that top the current evidence — without a clinic visit, a broad retail chew such as Pure Majesty’s 18-active formula is the more accessible alternative. Whichever you choose, make weight and exercise part of the plan, start it with your vet’s blessing, and see our complete hip and joint guide for the wider routine.
Sources
- Nutramax Laboratories — Dasuquin Advanced Soft Chews, official product facts and label (dasuquin.com), 2026.
- Reichling J, et al. “Dietary support with Boswellia resin in canine inflammatory joint and spinal disease.” Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde, 2004;146(2):71–79.
- Roush JK, et al. “Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis.” JAVMA, 2010;236(1):67–73.
- Barbeau-Grégoire M, et al. “A 2022 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Enriched Therapeutic Diets and Nutraceuticals in Canine and Feline Osteoarthritis.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022;23(18):10384.
- Gupta RC, et al. “Comparative therapeutic efficacy and safety of type-II collagen (UC-II), glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic dogs.” Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2012;96(5):770–777.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian about your dog’s health and before starting any new supplement.