Nutramax is the brand family behind Cosequin, Dasuquin, Denamarin, Proviable, Welactin and Solliquin, made in the United States by Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences, Inc. of Lancaster, South Carolina. The lines are organised by body system rather than by strength: joint, liver, gastrointestinal, skin and coat, and calming. The confusing part for owners is that several of those lines overlap, some versions are sold only through veterinary clinics, and the published evidence behind them is much stronger for a few ingredients than for others.
Quick answer: Nutramax makes joint supplements (Cosequin, Dasuquin), a liver supplement (Denamarin), probiotics (Proviable), omega-3s (Welactin), calming chews (Solliquin) and several smaller lines. Cosequin and Dasuquin share the same glucosamine and chondroitin base; Dasuquin adds avocado/soybean unsaponifiables. Evidence quality varies sharply by ingredient, and a 2012 systematic review in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine rated the evidence for joint nutraceuticals as low overall, with omega-3 fatty acids in dogs the exception.
Who makes Nutramax products, and are they prescription?
Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. splits its business: veterinary supplements are sold by Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences, Inc., and human supplements by Nutramax Laboratories Consumer Care, Inc. The company’s site describes over 30 years in the category and states that finished products undergo chemistry and microbiology analysis before release.
None of these are drugs. They are nutritional supplements, so no prescription is needed — but several formulations are labelled veterinarian-exclusive and are only distributed through clinics or a vet’s online store. Dasuquin Advanced and Denamarin Advanced both fall into that group. That distribution split, not potency alone, is why some products never appear on retail shelves.
What are the main Nutramax dog product lines?
| Line | Category | Core ingredients (per manufacturer pages) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosequin | Joint | Glucosamine hydrochloride (FCHG49), sodium chondroitin sulfate (TRH122); some versions add MSM, omega-3s or HA | Retail |
| Dasuquin | Joint | Same glucosamine/chondroitin base plus avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU, NMX1000) and Boswellia serrata | Retail |
| Dasuquin Advanced | Joint | Dasuquin base plus a proprietary blend of Boswellia, Curcuma longa, green tea extract and alpha-lipoic acid; some versions add eggshell membrane | Veterinarian-exclusive |
| Denamarin | Liver | S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and silybin | Retail; Advanced is vet-exclusive |
| Proviable | Gastrointestinal | Seven bacterial strains plus fructooligosaccharide prebiotic | Retail |
| Welactin | Skin & coat | Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) | Retail |
| Solliquin | Calming | Described by Nutramax as three key calming ingredients | Retail |
| Cobalequin, Crananidin, Dermaquin, Imuquin | B12, urinary, skin, immune | Varies | Mostly clinic |
How do Cosequin and Dasuquin differ?
They share a base. Nutramax’s own product pages list glucosamine hydrochloride (FCHG49) and sodium chondroitin sulfate (TRH122) in both. Dasuquin adds avocado/soybean unsaponifiables, which the company describes as working synergistically with glucosamine and chondroitin, plus Boswellia serrata extract. Dasuquin Advanced layers on a proprietary blend containing Boswellia, Curcuma longa extract, green tea extract and alpha-lipoic acid.
The amounts differ too, and the labels are public. Here is what Nutramax lists on the two pages, quoted directly:
| Per unit | Cosequin Chewable Tablets Plus MSM | Dasuquin Advanced Soft Chews (small/medium) | Dasuquin Advanced Soft Chews (large) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glucosamine hydrochloride | 600 mg | 600 mg | 900 mg |
| Sodium chondroitin sulfate | 300 mg | 250 mg | 350 mg |
| MSM | 250 mg | 400 mg | 800 mg |
| ASU powder | — | 45 mg | 90 mg |
| Proprietary botanical blend | — | 70 mg | 140 mg |
| EPA, DHA, ETA | — | 65 mg | 85 mg |
| Manganese | 3 mg | 1 mg | 3 mg |
Two things worth noticing. Chondroitin per unit is not automatically higher in the premium line, and the number of units a dog is given differs by product and body weight, so per-unit figures alone don’t tell you the daily total. Always work from the label on the pack you own, or your vet’s instruction. If you want the head-to-head in more depth, our detailed Dasuquin and Cosequin comparison walks through both labels side by side, and there are dedicated breakdowns of what owners report about Cosequin and of the Advanced formulation specifically.
How strong is the evidence behind these ingredients?
This is where honesty matters more than brand loyalty. The evidence is uneven.
Glucosamine and chondroitin. A systematic review by Vandeweerd and colleagues (J Vet Intern Med, 2012) assessed 22 controlled trials across horses, dogs and cats and concluded that the strength of evidence was low for all nutraceuticals studied except omega-3 fatty acids in dogs. That review predates some later work, but nothing since has overturned its core message: glucosamine and chondroitin trials in dogs have generally been small and methodologically limited. Our broader explainer on how glucosamine works in dogs covers the mechanism and its limits.
Avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU). The most-cited canine work is Boileau et al. (Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2009), a laboratory model rather than a client-owned dog trial. Dogs underwent anterior cruciate ligament transection and received either placebo or ASU at 10 mg/kg per day for eight weeks. The ASU group showed smaller macroscopic lesions on the tibial plateaus, less severe cartilage lesions, reduced loss of subchondral bone volume, and lower cartilage levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and MMP-13. That is genuine structural evidence of a mechanism — but it is a surgical model, over eight weeks, and it does not establish that a dog with naturally occurring arthritis will walk more comfortably.
Omega-3 fatty acids. The strongest signal in the whole category. Roush and colleagues published two 2010 papers in JAVMA. In the randomised, blinded force-plate study, 38 client-owned dogs with osteoarthritis received either a typical commercial food or a test food containing 3.5% fish oil omega-3 fatty acids. Mean peak vertical force improved significantly in the test-food group (a 5.6% change between day 90 and day 0) but not in the control group, and 82% of test-food dogs improved on that measure versus 38% of controls. Those figures describe what the study measured; they are not a target for you to replicate at home.
SAMe and silybin. Here the published work is tied to a specific clinical scenario rather than to general “liver support”. Skorupski et al. (J Vet Intern Med, 2011) randomised tumour-bearing dogs receiving CCNU chemotherapy to concurrent Denamarin or CCNU alone. Increased liver enzyme activity occurred in 84% of dogs on CCNU alone versus 68% of those on concurrent Denamarin, and dogs on CCNU alone were significantly more likely to have treatment delayed or discontinued because of raised ALT. Center et al. (Am J Vet Res, 2005) examined SAMe’s influence on hepatic effects of prednisolone in dogs. A separate double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial by Rème et al. (Veterinary Therapeutics, 2008) looked at SAMe tablets and age-related mental decline in dogs. Note that these studies concern defined clinical scenarios, not general “liver detox”.
Probiotics and calming ingredients. Proviable-DC’s label states seven strains and a guaranteed minimum of 5 billion CFU per capsule, with named NCIMB strain numbers — unusually transparent labelling for the category, since strain identity is what published probiotic research is tied to. Evidence for calming supplements in dogs remains limited, and Solliquin’s public pages describe three key calming ingredients without publishing a trial.
Which Nutramax line matches which situation?
| Situation | Line most often discussed | Honest caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy adult dog, breed prone to hip or elbow problems | Cosequin | Preventive benefit in healthy dogs is not established by trials |
| Vet-diagnosed osteoarthritis, owner wants a supplement alongside medical care | Dasuquin or Dasuquin Advanced | A supplement is an adjunct, not a substitute for prescribed arthritis medication |
| Dog on a hepatotoxic drug, or with abnormal liver values | Denamarin, under veterinary supervision | Abnormal liver enzymes need a diagnosis first |
| Loose stool after antibiotics, travel or a diet change | Proviable | Diarrhoea lasting more than a day or two is a vet visit |
| Dull coat, flaky skin | Welactin | Skin disease has many causes; omega-3s address only some |
| Stress around fireworks, travel, boarding | Solliquin | Evidence is thin; behavioural cases benefit from a behaviour plan |
How long before anything changes?
Set expectations from what studies measured, not from marketing. In the Roush force-plate trial, the significant improvement in weight bearing was recorded at day 90. The Boileau ASU model ran eight weeks. Nutramax’s own Cosequin and Dasuquin labels are structured around an initial 4-to-6-week period followed by a lower maintenance level, which tells you the manufacturer itself does not expect an overnight change.
A practical way to judge it: pick two or three things you can actually observe — willingness to use stairs, how long the dog takes to settle after a walk, whether they get up smoothly from lying down — and note them before starting and again at set intervals. Vague impressions after two weeks are the least reliable data you will ever collect on your own dog.
Common mistakes owners make with Nutramax products
- Treating “vet-exclusive” as “stronger for every dog.” It signals distribution and formulation complexity, not that your dog needs it.
- Doubling up unknowingly. Giving Dasuquin Advanced alongside a joint-support diet and a separate fish oil can stack omega-3s and glucosamine from several directions. Tell your vet everything the dog receives.
- Buying from unverified third-party sellers. Nutramax states that every batch is tested and guaranteed to meet label claims — a guarantee that only applies to product bought through the manufacturer, a clinic, or an authorised retailer.
- Stopping at the two-week mark. The manufacturer’s own labelling and the published trials both work on a multi-week horizon.
- Using a supplement to postpone a diagnosis. Limping has many causes, and several of them are not arthritis.
When to call your vet
Contact your veterinarian promptly if your dog shows sudden non-weight-bearing lameness, yelps on being touched, has swelling or heat over a joint, or deteriorates quickly. Liver-related signs — yellowing of the gums or eyes, vomiting, marked lethargy, loss of appetite — need same-day advice rather than a supplement. Diarrhoea with blood, repeated vomiting, or lethargy alongside gut signs also warrants a call. Speak to your vet before starting anything if your dog is pregnant, on prescription medication, has a shellfish allergy (some glucosamine is shellfish-derived), or is scheduled for surgery, since omega-3s can affect bleeding.
FAQ
Is Nutramax the same as Cosequin?
No. Nutramax Laboratories is the manufacturer; Cosequin is one of its brands. Dasuquin, Denamarin, Proviable, Welactin and Solliquin come from the same company.
Do I need a prescription for Nutramax products?
No. They are nutritional supplements rather than drugs. Some formulations, including Dasuquin Advanced and Denamarin Advanced, are distributed only through veterinarians.
Are Nutramax joint supplements proven to work?
The evidence is mixed. A 2012 systematic review in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found low strength of evidence for joint nutraceuticals in dogs, with omega-3 fatty acids the exception. ASU has supportive structural data from a surgical dog model. That is a reason for measured expectations, not dismissal.
What is the difference between Denamarin and Denamarin Advanced?
Both supply SAMe and silybin. Nutramax describes the chewable tablets as using a stabilised SAMe form (NMXSS75) that removes the need for enteric coating, and states that Denamarin Advanced is available exclusively through veterinarians. The company’s page also states Denamarin has no known side effects.
How many strains does Proviable contain?
Proviable-DC capsules list seven strains — Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus plantarum — with a guaranteed minimum of 5 billion CFU per capsule plus a fructooligosaccharide prebiotic.
Can I give more than one Nutramax product at once?
Combinations across categories are common in practice, but overlapping ingredients add up. Check with your veterinarian before combining, and follow each product’s own label.
References
- Vandeweerd JM, Coisnon C, Clegg P, et al. Systematic review of efficacy of nutraceuticals to alleviate clinical signs of osteoarthritis. J Vet Intern Med. 2012;26(3):448-456. DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00901.x. PMID: 22404506. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22404506/
- Roush JK, Cross AR, Renberg WC, et al. Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010;236(1):67-73. DOI: 10.2460/javma.236.1.67. PMID: 20043801. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20043801/
- Roush JK, Dodd CE, Fritsch DA, et al. Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010;236(1):59-66. DOI: 10.2460/javma.236.1.59. PMID: 20043800. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20043800/
- Boileau C, Martel-Pelletier J, Caron J, et al. Protective effects of total fraction of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables on the structural changes in experimental dog osteoarthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(2):R41. DOI: 10.1186/ar2649. PMID: 19291317. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19291317/
- Skorupski KA, Hammond GM, Irish AM, et al. Prospective randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of Denamarin for prevention of CCNU-induced hepatopathy in tumor-bearing dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2011;25(4):838-845. DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0743.x. PMID: 21689156. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21689156/
- Center SA, Warner KL, McCabe J, et al. Evaluation of the influence of S-adenosylmethionine on systemic and hepatic effects of prednisolone in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2005;66(2):330-341. DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.330. PMID: 15757136. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15757136/
- Rème CA, Dramard V, Kern L, et al. Effect of S-adenosylmethionine tablets on the reduction of age-related mental decline in dogs: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Vet Ther. 2008;9(2):69-82. PMID: 18597245. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18597245/
- Nutramax Laboratories product pages (label data quoted above): https://www.cosequin.com/joint-supplement/dog/chewable-tablet/msm | https://www.dasuquin.com/product/dasuquin-advanced-soft-chews | https://www.denamarin.com/about-denamarin-liver-health-supplements | https://www.proviable.com/proviable-dc-capsules-for-dogs | https://www.welactin.com/ | https://www.solliquin.com/about-solliquin
Veterinary disclaimer: this article is general information for dog owners and is not veterinary advice. Supplements are not medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Dosing figures quoted here are taken from manufacturer labels or published studies and are reported, not recommended — follow the label on your product and your own veterinarian’s guidance. Doghealthinsider.com is an independent publication and is not affiliated with Nutramax Laboratories, Inc.
FAQPage JSON-LD