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.
A Quick Glance at Our Top Picks (2023 Update)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
The Farmer’s Dog (Beef Recipe) Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Custom-made formulas
High in omega-3 fatty acids
Convenient
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Best Value
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Jolly Joints Dry Dog Food
Chicken as first ingredient
Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
No artificial flavors or preservatives
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Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet Joint Dry Dog Food
Omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine
Formulated for joint health
Created by veterinarians and nutritionists
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Best for Puppies
American Journey Active Life Puppy Dog Food
Real chicken as first ingredient
Fatty acids for joint health
No wheat, soy, meat byproductby-products, artificial ingredients
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Vet’s Choice
Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Chicken Dry Dog Food
Clinically proven to improve mobility
Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
Glucosamine and chondroitin
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The 8 Best Dog Foods for Hip Dysplasia
1. The Farmer’s Dog (Beef Recipe) Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
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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
Cons
Subscription only
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.
Custom-made formulas
High in omega-3 fatty acids
Convenient
- Custom-made formulas
- High in omega-3 fatty acids
- Convenient
Subscription only
- Subscription only
Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, barley, natural flavor
Protein content: 26%
Fat content: 15%
Calories: 395 kcal/cup
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This food has no artificial flavors or preservatives, wheat, soy, or meat byproductby-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
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.
Chicken as first ingredient
Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
No artificial flavors or preservatives
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
Strong fish smell
Not appropriate for large breeds
- Strong fish smell
- Not appropriate for large breeds
Main ingredients: Brewer’s rice, trout, salmon meal, corn gluten meal, poultry byproductby-product meal, dried egg product
Protein content: 30%
Fat content: 12%
Calories: 401 kcal/cup
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
- American Journey Active Life Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetable Puppy Food – Best for Puppies
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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.
Omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine
Formulated for joint health
Created by veterinarians and nutritionists
- Omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine
- Formulated for joint health
- Created by veterinarians and nutritionists
May cause poor quality stool
May cause dull coats
- May cause poor quality stool
- May cause dull coats
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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
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 byproductby-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 byproductby-products, artificial ingredients
Cons
Kibble may be too large for small puppies
Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food is the vet’s choice for 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.
Real chicken as first ingredient
Fatty acids for joint health
No wheat, soy, meat byproductby-products, artificial ingredients
- Real chicken as first ingredient
- Fatty acids for joint health
- No wheat, soy, meat byproductby-products, artificial ingredients
Kibble may be too large for small puppies
- Kibble may be too large for small puppies
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
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
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.
Clinically proven to improve mobility
Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
Glucosamine and chondroitin
- Clinically proven to improve mobility
- Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Glucosamine and chondroitin
Only available with a prescription
May cause constipation/hard stool
- Only available with a prescription
- May cause constipation/hard stool
Main ingredients: Chicken, water, beef, liver, beef lungs, brewers brewer’s rice, dehydrated pork meat solubles dehydrated, flaxseed
Protein content: 8%
Fat content: 7%
Calories: 472 kcal/can
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
Cons
May be hard
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.
Chicken as first ingredient
Good source of glucosamine and chondroitin
No wheat, gluten, or soy
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Good source of glucosamine and chondroitin
- No wheat, gluten, or soy
May be hard
- May be hard
This food contains chicken as the first ingredient and no artificial flavors, colors, or byproductby-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 byproductby-products
Cons
Avocados may have adverse effects in dogs
Dogswell Happy Hips Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew Recipe Grain-Free Canned Dog Food is specifically designed to support joint health, especially in hips. High-quality protein derived from chicken is the first ingredient, followed by fruits and vegetables for complete and balanced nutrition. The minerals are chelated for improved nutrient absorption.
Good source of chondroitin and glucosamine
Good source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
No artificial flavors, colors, or byproductby-products
- Good source of chondroitin and glucosamine
- Good source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
- No artificial flavors, colors, or byproductby-products
Avocados may have adverse effects in dogs
- Avocados may have adverse effects in dogs
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, water, chicken liver, salmon, dried egg product, peas, potato starch
Protein content: 8%
Fat content: 4%
Calories: 309 kcal/can
This food has no grains, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Some reviewers said this food caused digestive upset for their dogs and they had to discontinue feeding. It’s also worth considering if a grain-free food is appropriate for your dog, since many dogs do better on diets with grain.
Pros
Chicken as first ingredient
Chelated minerals for better nutrient absorption
Cons
May cause digestive upset
Grain-free may not be appropriate for all 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.
Chicken as first ingredient
Chelated minerals for better nutrient absorption
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Chelated minerals for better nutrient absorption
May cause digestive upset
Grain-free may not be appropriate for all dogs
- May cause digestive upset
- Grain-free may not be appropriate for all dogs
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 that 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.
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 that causes pain and discomfort.
- 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 that causes pain and discomfort.
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. Finally, the vet’s choice is Hill’s.
Sources
PetMD American Kennel Club Canine Arthritis Resources and Education
Featured Image Credit: Conner Baker, Unsplash
- PetMD
- American Kennel Club
- Canine Arthritis Resources and Education
