Cosequin vs Dasuquin for Dogs, an Easy Guide to 3 Joint Tablets

Cosequin vs Dasuquin is a common question for owners of stiff or aging dogs. Both joint supplements are made by Nutramax Laboratories, and both start with glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM. The difference is what each adds on top, and how the doses work for small and large dogs.

This guide compares the chewable tablet versions with MSM sold on Amazon in the US, ingredient by ingredient, using the amounts printed on each label. Dasuquin with MSM comes in two strengths, Small/Medium and Large, so you will find three tablets from the two brands. It also covers dosing, safety, what the research says, and when to see a vet first.

Cosequin vs Dasuquin at a Glance

Feature	Cosequin with MSM	Dasuquin with MSM
Maker	Nutramax Laboratories	Nutramax Laboratories
Dog sizes	One tablet strength for all sizes, the number of tablets depends on weight	Small/Medium tablet for under 60 lb (27.2 kg), Large tablet for 60 lb (27.2 kg) and over
Glucosamine HCl per tablet	600 mg	600 mg (S/M), 900 mg (Large)
Chondroitin per tablet	300 mg	250 mg (S/M), 350 mg (Large)
MSM per tablet	250 mg	400 mg (S/M), 800 mg (Large)
Extra actives	Manganese 3 mg	ASU, boswellia, green tea extract
Contains soy	Not listed	Yes (soy protein isolate and ASU)

Weights in the table follow the Dasuquin dosing charts.

Cosequin with MSM, One Tablet Strength for All Sizes

Cosequin chewable tablets Tablet count links below (paid link)

What is in it. Each chicken-flavored tablet lists glucosamine hydrochloride 600 mg, sodium chondroitin sulfate 300 mg, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 250 mg, and manganese 3 mg (as manganese ascorbate).

What the brand says. Nutramax says its glucosamine (FCHG49) and chondroitin (TRH122) are combined with MSM to support healthy joints, and that the tablets suit dogs of any breed or size, young or senior. The listing says Cosequin is made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients and that every batch is quality inspected.

Other ingredients. Brewers dried yeast, dextrose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, natural and artificial flavors, and silicon dioxide.

Who it suits. Owners with dogs of different sizes who want one bottle for all of them, and owners who prefer a tablet with no soy listed. For a dog over 60 lb (27.2 kg), the chart calls for 3 tablets a day at first.

💊 See the brand’s daily dosing chart

Dog Weight	First 4 to 6 Weeks	After 6 Weeks
15 lb (6.8 kg) and under	1/2 tablet	1/2 tablet every other day
16 to 30 lb (7.3 to 13.6 kg)	1 tablet	1/2 tablet
31 to 60 lb (14.1 to 27.2 kg)	2 tablets	1 tablet
Over 60 lb (27.2 kg)	3 tablets	1 to 2 tablets

Tablets per day, as shown on the Cosequin label image on Amazon.

Our Nutramax Cosequin for dogs review looks at the Cosequin version with MSM and hyaluronic acid (HA) in more detail.

Dasuquin with MSM, Small/Medium and Large Dogs

Dasuquin with MSM comes in two tablet strengths. The listings say the Small/Medium tablet is for dogs under 60 lb (27.2 kg) and the Large tablet is for dogs over 60 lb (27.2 kg). On the dosing charts, the Small/Medium chart ends at 59 lb (26.8 kg) and the Large chart starts at 60 lb (27.2 kg).

Dasuquin for small and medium dogs Tablet count links below (paid link)

Small/Medium tablet. Each tablet lists glucosamine hydrochloride 600 mg, MSM 400 mg, sodium chondroitin sulfate 250 mg, avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) 45 mg, boswellia serrata extract 20 mg, and green tea extract 16 mg.

💊 See the brand’s daily dosing chart

Dog Weight	First 4 to 6 Weeks	After 6 Weeks
Under 10 lb (4.5 kg)	1/2 tablet	1/2 tablet
10 to 29 lb (4.5 to 13.2 kg)	1 tablet	1/2 tablet
30 to 59 lb (13.6 to 26.8 kg)	2 tablets	1 tablet

Tablets per day, as shown on the Dasuquin Small/Medium label image on Amazon.

Dasuquin for large dogs Tablet count links below (paid link)

Large tablet. Each tablet lists glucosamine hydrochloride 900 mg, MSM 800 mg, sodium chondroitin sulfate 350 mg, ASU 90 mg, boswellia serrata extract 40 mg, and green tea extract 32 mg. That is twice the MSM, ASU, boswellia, and green tea extract of the Small/Medium tablet.

💊 See the brand’s daily dosing chart

Dog Weight	First 4 to 6 Weeks	After 6 Weeks
60 to 120 lb (27.2 to 54.4 kg)	2 tablets	1 tablet

Tablets per day, as shown on the Dasuquin Large label image on Amazon. The maximum weight on the chart is 120 lb (54.4 kg), so ask your vet about the dose for a heavier dog.

What the brand says. Nutramax says its ASU (NMX1000) works synergistically with glucosamine and chondroitin to help support healthy joints and cartilage. Synergistic means the ingredients are said to work better together than each one alone. The listings describe the green tea extract as decaffeinated and MSM as a source of sulfur used to support cartilage.

Other ingredients. Brewers dried yeast, dextrose, lecithin, microcrystalline cellulose, mixed tocopherols, natural and artificial flavors, silicon dioxide, and soy protein isolate. The Large tablet also lists magnesium stearate.

Who it suits. Owners who want the added ASU, boswellia, and green tea extract. For dogs over 60 lb (27.2 kg), the Large chart starts at 2 tablets a day, where the Cosequin chart starts at 3. It is not a fit for a dog known to react to soy.

Ingredients Side by Side, per Tablet

Active Ingredient	Cosequin with MSM	Dasuquin S/M	Dasuquin Large
Glucosamine HCl	600 mg	600 mg	900 mg
Sodium chondroitin sulfate	300 mg	250 mg	350 mg
MSM	250 mg	400 mg	800 mg
ASU	None listed	45 mg	90 mg
Boswellia serrata extract	None listed	20 mg	40 mg
Green tea extract	None listed	16 mg	32 mg
Manganese	3 mg	None listed	None listed

Compared with the Dasuquin Small/Medium tablet, Cosequin has more chondroitin (300 mg vs 250 mg), while Dasuquin has more MSM (400 mg vs 250 mg). Both have 600 mg of glucosamine. The Dasuquin Large tablet is higher than Cosequin in glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM. Since the dose depends on how many tablets your dog takes, the daily amounts section below shows what a dog actually gets.

How the Formulas Differ

Writing for PetMD, veterinarian Dr. Barri Morrison says ASU works with glucosamine and chondroitin to maximize the benefits, and that most veterinarians may recommend Dasuquin for dogs because the ASU provides the most support.

Daily Amounts by Dog Size

Each chart gives a different number of tablets per day, so the amount per tablet does not show what your dog actually gets. The tables below take the tablets per day from each brand’s chart for the first 4 to 6 weeks and multiply them by the amounts on the label.

🐕 A 20 lb (9.1 kg) dog, daily amounts in the first 4 to 6 weeks

Per day	Cosequin with MSM	Dasuquin Small/Medium
Tablets	1 tablet Chart row, 16 to 30 lb (7.3 to 13.6 kg)	1 tablet Chart row, 10 to 29 lb (4.5 to 13.2 kg)
Glucosamine	600 mg	600 mg
Chondroitin	300 mg	250 mg
MSM	250 mg	400 mg
ASU	Not listed	45 mg
Boswellia	Not listed	20 mg
Green tea extract	Not listed	16 mg
Manganese	3 mg	Not listed

🐕 A 50 lb (22.7 kg) dog, daily amounts in the first 4 to 6 weeks

Per day	Cosequin with MSM	Dasuquin Small/Medium
Tablets	2 tablets Chart row, 31 to 60 lb (14.1 to 27.2 kg)	2 tablets Chart row, 30 to 59 lb (13.6 to 26.8 kg)
Glucosamine	1200 mg	1200 mg
Chondroitin	600 mg	500 mg
MSM	500 mg	800 mg
ASU	Not listed	90 mg
Boswellia	Not listed	40 mg
Green tea extract	Not listed	32 mg
Manganese	6 mg	Not listed

🐕 An 80 lb (36.3 kg) dog, daily amounts in the first 4 to 6 weeks

Per day	Cosequin with MSM	Dasuquin Large
Tablets	3 tablets Chart row, Over 60 lb (27.2 kg)	2 tablets Chart row, 60 to 120 lb (27.2 to 54.4 kg)
Glucosamine	1800 mg	1800 mg
Chondroitin	900 mg	700 mg
MSM	750 mg	1600 mg
ASU	Not listed	180 mg
Boswellia	Not listed	80 mg
Green tea extract	Not listed	64 mg
Manganese	9 mg	Not listed

In these three examples, both give the same amount of glucosamine. Cosequin gives more chondroitin, and Dasuquin gives more MSM plus its extra ingredients. For an 80 lb (36.3 kg) dog, Dasuquin Large reaches the same glucosamine with 2 tablets instead of 3.

The weight bands on the two charts do not line up exactly. As a result, at some weights the totals differ. A 12 lb (5.4 kg) dog, for example, starts on 1/2 Cosequin tablet (300 mg glucosamine) or 1 Dasuquin Small/Medium tablet (600 mg glucosamine). A 30 lb (13.6 kg) dog starts on 1 Cosequin tablet or 2 Dasuquin tablets.

After the first 4 to 6 weeks, both charts lower the daily dose for most weights. The higher starting period is often called a loading phase, and the lower amount after it is the maintenance dose. Follow the dosage chart on the bottle you buy, or your vet’s advice if it differs.

Other Cosequin and Dasuquin Versions

Each formulation has its own ingredient panel and dosing chart, so compare them before switching from the tablets in this guide.

Safety, Side Effects, and Allergens

VCA Animal Hospitals lists mild stomach upset, such as gas and soft stools, as possible side effects of glucosamine and chondroitin. If you see signs of an allergic reaction, stop the supplement and contact your vet. Writing for PetMD, Dr. Morrison says glucosamine and chondroitin are safe to give to your pet long-term.

For MSM, VCA Animal Hospitals lists stomach upset, diarrhea (diarrhoea), decreased appetite, tiredness, and restlessness as possible side effects. VCA also says a pet can develop a sensitivity with repeated use.

If your dog gets more than the label dose, for example by getting into the bottle, VCA says to call your veterinary office right away. If you miss a dose, VCA says to give it when you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and go back to the regular schedule. Never give two doses at once.

What the Research Says

The research on the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs is mixed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) cites a 2007 review of 16 veterinary trials that found glucosamine products gave a moderate level of comfort, and a 2017 article that concluded the clinical benefit remains questionable. VCA notes that few supplements have been tested in rigorous trials.

For ASU, a 2009 study in dogs with a surgically induced knee injury found that ASU reduced early cartilage and bone changes linked to osteoarthritis. These were research dogs rather than pets with everyday arthritis, and the study tested ASU on its own, not the Dasuquin tablet.

Supplements like these are often used alongside other care. The AKC lists obesity among the risk factors for osteoarthritis, so keeping your dog at a healthy weight is an important part of joint care, alongside anything your vet recommends.

How Long Before You See a Change

VCA says glucosamine and chondroitin may take several weeks before the full effects are seen. For MSM, VCA says it should start to take effect within 1 to 2 weeks, and it often takes up to 8 weeks before the benefits may be seen.

Watch your dog’s mobility, such as how it gets up after resting, takes the stairs, and handles walks and play. If nothing changes, or things get worse, talk to your vet.

How to Choose Between Cosequin and Dasuquin

For a dog that reacts to soy, Cosequin with MSM is an alternative to consider, since its label does not list soy. If your dog takes other medicines or has a health condition, ask your vet which one fits before you start. VCA also advises care when switching brands, because the active ingredients may not be the same.

When to See a Vet First

A supplement cannot tell you what is causing a joint problem. The AKC says to have your dog checked by a vet if you suspect osteoarthritis. The vet may examine the joints and recommend X-rays, which help rule out other conditions that cause similar signs.

The AKC says large and giant breeds are more at risk, naming the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Golden Retriever. Other risk factors include age, obesity, past injuries such as ligament tears, and elbow or hip dysplasia. If you share your home with one of the giant dog breeds, ask your vet about joint care as your dog grows.

The AKC also lists easing recovery from joint surgery among the uses of glucosamine. If your dog has had surgery or is due for it, ask your vet before starting a supplement.

For a wider look at the options, see our guide to hip and joint supplements for dogs.

Cosequin vs Dasuquin FAQ

Final Thoughts

Both supplements share the same base and the same maker. Dasuquin adds ASU, boswellia, and green tea extract and has a Large tablet with higher amounts per tablet for big dogs. Cosequin keeps things simple with one tablet strength for every size and no soy listed.

Whichever you choose, follow the label for the product you buy and your vet’s advice. If your dog is limping, seems to be in pain, or takes other medicines, see your vet first.

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