Best Dog Food For Cane Corsos: Puppy, Dry, Wet, Fresh & More Options

A relatively new breed in the U.S., Cane Corsos have risen in popularity over the last 10 years, now ranking in the AKC’s top 20 most popular breeds. A muscular, large-boned breed, Corsos are majestic, noble, loyal creatures who make excellent guard dogs due to their commanding presence. Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, Corsos are affectionate, ready-to-please, easily trainable, and highly intelligent, which explains why they’re now a beloved breed in the States.

However, finding the ideal dog food for this massive breed’s nutritional requirements can be challenging. They require a lot of fuel and calories for energy and muscle maintenance. Fortunately, we’ve researched hundreds of dog food brands and formulas and have determined The Farmer’s Dog, Orijen, Spot & Tango’s Unkibble to be among the best dog foods for Cane Corsos in all life stages. We also give you specific advice on how a super-healthy diet can benefit a few health issues this breed can face.

At A Glance: Best Dog Food For Cane Corsos

Fresh (All Life Stages)	Puppies	Adult Dry	Adult Wet	Seniors
The Farmer’s Dog	Orijen	Spot & Tango	JustFoodForDogs	Now Fresh
Visit Website	View on Amazon	Visit Website	Visit Website	View on Amazon
Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review

All of the dog foods we’ve included in our reviews meet or exceed Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional guidelines, are made in the U.S., and contain no corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial ingredients, or artificial preservatives.

Nutritional Needs & Feeding Guidelines For Cane Corsos

Cane Corsos, also called Corsi, average 90-110 pounds as adults and are muscular, highly energetic dogs with hearty appetites. They require a diet rich in animal protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates to provide enough fuel for their size and energy levels. Although the Cane Corso is generally a healthy breed compared to many others, these majestic pups are prone to a few medical issues, some of which can be supported with a high-quality diet.

Easing Joint Problems

As with many large dogs, Cane Corsos are particularly prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis. A premium diet and portion control are crucial to prevent weight gain or obesity, which can significantly increase the risk of developing joint problems and worsen symptoms of early-onset joint diseases. You may want to look for dog food that includes joint-friendly ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, green-lipped mussels, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Reducing The Risk Of Canine Bloat

Cane Corsos are also at a higher risk of developing canine bloat, called gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV). Bloat is a serious, life-threatening condition that occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid, which causes the stomach to twist and subsequently block off blood flow to vital organs.

To reduce the risk of canine bloat, some experts recommend avoiding dog food with high-fiber and high-fat content and food containing corn and soy. Recent research has shown that dry dog foods in which an oil or fat was listed among the first four ingredients were associated with a 2.4 times increase in the risk of developing bloat.

The way you feed your pup can also make a big difference. It’s recommended that you feed your Cane Corsos at least two meals daily rather than one large meal. The rapid ingestion of food also heightens the risk of bloat, so you may want to get a slow-feed dog bowl to keep your pup from gobbling up his food too fast. Also, make sure your Corso has access to plenty of water.

Keeping Their Immune System Strong

Two other fairly common health issues with Corsos are ear infections and demodectic mange. This skin condition occurs when the Demodex canis mite, which normally resides in dogs’ skin, overpopulates due to a dog’s immune system being unable to keep the mites under control. It’s believed that some animals with demodectic mange may have an inherited immune defect that fails to keep the mites from overpopulating.

A high-quality diet full of antioxidants and immune-boosting superfoods may help decrease the risk of your Corsi developing ear infections and demodectic mange. You may want to look for dog food rich in natural pro-immune ingredients such as blueberries, carrots, kale, spinach, sweet potatoes, oily fish (e.g., salmon), and chia seeds, as well as probiotics.

Beyond Basic Ingredients

All dog food should include protein, carbs, fat, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. But many of the most nutritious premium dog foods are fortified with additional ingredients that have major health benefits for your furry friend. Here are a few you’ll want to look for and how they support your pup’s health. For your convenience, we’ve listed these premium ingredients in our reviews.

• Fruits & vegetables: excellent natural sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support immune health
• Fish oil and/or flaxseed: sources of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids Docosahexenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) that support brain and eye development and skin, coat, joint, and immune health
• Glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate (often from chicken meal*): maintains healthy joints
• Prebiotics & probiotics: support digestion and a healthy level of good gut bacteria (often includes dried chickory root, a powerful natural prebiotic)
• Taurine: supports cardiovascular, eye, and brain health, immune system function, and benefits many other body functions 
• L-carnitine: an amino acid derivative that helps the metabolism of fats (particularly beneficial for older, less active dogs) 
• Organ meats: excellent source of premium quality protein and fat as well as vitamins A, B, D, and E, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc
• Chia seeds: rich in plant protein, fiber, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, phosphorus

*A note about meat meal: Quality pet food brands often use meat meal in their recipes, which can be a very healthy source of protein for your pup (as long as the “meat” is named, e.g., chicken meal, lamb meal, etc.). A meal can be made from the meat, tissue, organ meat, bone, stomach, and intestines of the named animal. But meal doesn’t include by-products like hair, feathers, beaks, heads, blood, hooves, hide trimmings, etc.

Best Fresh Dog Food For All Life Stages

Fresh dog food is one of the healthiest diets you can feed your Cane Corso. We love the following companies who personalize your pup’s meals for age, breed, weight, activity level, and other factors and deliver them right to your door. Their meals are formulated by board-certified animal nutritionists to contain the perfect balance of nutrition for your furry friend.

The Farmer’s Dog Review

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Our favorite fresh dog food delivery service for quality and competitive pricing, The Farmer’s Dog offers human-grade meals using USDA whole-food protein, vegetables, and fruits fortified with vitamins and minerals to meet every breed’s nutritional requirements, including growth of large-sized dogs (70 pounds or more as an adult). They even pre-portion your pup’s meals for convenient feeding.

The Farmer’s Dog offers grain-free beef, chicken, pork, and turkey recipes, which are gently cooked in USDA kitchens and flash-frozen to preserve nutrients and freshness. While The Farmer’s Dog requires a subscription, they regularly deliver your pup’s super healthy meals right to your door, and you can cancel anytime. If you’re wary of grain-free dog food, be sure to check our review of Ollie below, which offers several grain-inclusive recipes.

Each recipe includes different ingredients, but here’s a breakdown of their turkey formula.

• First 5 ingredients: USDA turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, and spinach
• Formula highlights: human-grade & whole-food ingredients, limited ingredients, omega-fatty acids (from salmon oil), taurine, and chelated minerals
• Guaranteed analysis (dry-matter basis): crude protein 38% (min), crude fat 26% (min), crude fiber 2% (max)
• Calories: 282 kcal per 1/2 pound

• Price: Starts at $2.00 per day

Our readers have access to 50% off your first box. No code is needed; just use this link, and the discount will be applied! You can also visit our dedicated The Farmer’s Dog coupons page.

Full Review Of The Farmer’s Dog

Ollie Fresh Review

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Another of our favorite fresh-frozen dog food delivery services, Ollie is similar to The Farmer’s Dog in that it uses only human-grade, whole-food ingredients carefully chosen by animal nutritionists for optimal health in all life stages. All recipes meet AAFCO guidelines for large breeds like Corsos. Ollie offers five fresh recipes: beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, and pork. All are grain-inclusive except the beef formula.

Although the packs aren’t portioned for individual meals, they include a measuring scoop and a plastic container to store unused food for later use. Ollie also gives you the cost-saving options of subscribing to half-fresh meals or a mixed-bowl plan, which includes half-fresh and half-gently baked dry food. They offer a 100% money-back guarantee on your starter box.

• First 5 ingredients: lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, chickpeas, and kale
• Formula highlights: human-grade & whole-food ingredients, limited ingredients, organ meat, salmon oil, chia seeds, and taurine
• Guaranteed analysis (wet food basis): crude protein 10% (min), crude fat 7% (min), crude fiber 2% (max)
• Calories: 1804 kcal ME/kg

Price

• Starts at $2.50 per day

Our readers can get 50% off their first order. Use this link to take advantage of this offer (no discount code needed).

Full Review Of Ollie

Best Dog Food For Cane Corso Puppies

To ensure that your Corsi puppy is getting the ideal balance of nutrients and calories, it’s extremely important to feed him puppy food formulated for large breeds. Large-breed puppies experience rapid growth rates until about eight months of age, making them more sensitive to excessive or deficient calories and nutrients in certain dog foods.

Research has shown that excess energy (e.g., high-fat content), calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in the diets of large-breed puppies can have alarming negative consequences in the development of joint problems later in life. You’ll need to keep your Corsi on puppy food until he’s nearly fully grown, around 15-18 months.

Orijen Amazing Grains Puppy Large Breed Review

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Although it’s pricy, Orijen’s large-breed puppy food is packed with all-natural, high-quality ingredients to give your puppy the best start to life. This formula boasts an impressive 90% of premium animal ingredients, including tasty organ meats. These include both free-run poultry and wild-caught fish.

It also includes easy-to-digest grains like oat groats and millet and whole fruits and vegetables, such as pumpkin, collard greens, and cranberries. Essential vitamins and minerals support your puppy’s rapid growth. These and other premium ingredients give your baby Corsi the best start to life and plenty of energy to boot. Orijen also carries an excellent grain-free large-breed puppy formula.

• First 5 ingredients: chicken, whole herring, whole mackerel, chicken liver, and salmon
• Formula highlights: organ meats, DHA & EPA, chia seeds, taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 38% (min), crude fat 16% (min), crude fiber 4% (max)
• Calories: 483 kcal/cup

Price

• $105.99 ($4.71 / lb) (22.5-lb bag)

Wellness Core Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Review

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A more affordable premium option for your active puppy is this Wellness Core large-breed recipe formulated for whole-body health. With real chicken as the first ingredient, this grain-free, high-protein recipe supports your Corsi’s lean muscle and bone growth. It’s enriched with a ton of antioxidant-rich superfoods, including bananas, spinach, carrots, blueberries, kale, sweet potatoes, and more.

• First 5 ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, peas, dried ground potatoes, and turkey meal
• Formula highlights: grain-free, DHA, salmon oil, flaxseed, taurine, glucosamine, prebiotics, and probiotics
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 35% (min); crude fat 14% (min); crude fiber 5.5% (max)
• Calories: 423 kcal/cup

Price

• Check Amazon for availability (26-lb bag)

Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy (Grain-Inclusive) Review

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If you’re on a tight budget but don’t want to skimp on the quality of your puppy’s food, we highly recommend this Diamond Naturals recipe. Featuring pasture-raised lamb as the first ingredient and tummy-friendly grains, this formula is a great option for sensitive stomachs. It also includes nutrient-rich veggies and fruits, such as spinach, kale, carrots, pumpkin, blueberries, oranges, coconut, and kelp. Although some recent reviewers said it gave their puppies diarrhea, most owners are more than satisfied with how their little Boxers are thriving on this diet.

• First 5 ingredients: lamb, lamb meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, and grain sorghum
• Formula highlights: DHA, salmon oil, flaxseed, chia seeds, taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, probiotics, and L-carnitine
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 27% (min), crude fat 15% (min), crude fiber 3.5% (max)
• Calories: 414 kcal/cup

Price

• $35.99 ($1.80 / lb) (20-lb bag)

Best Dry Dog Food For Cane Corso Adults

All adult Cane Corsos require a large-breed dog food that’s formulated for the extra nutritional needs of dogs over 70 pounds. Depending on their weight and height, adult Corsos require between 1,800 and 2,100 calories per day. These powerhouses also need plenty of animal protein, so look for a formula that contains 25-30% protein. Higher protein and moderate fat levels (10-18%) will help maintain their lean muscles.

Spot & Tango Unkibble Review

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Arguably one of the healthiest and tastiest dry dog foods on the market, Spot & Tango’s Unkibble is a shelf-stable favorite of many pup parents. A healthy step up from kibble and much less expensive than fresh dog food, Unkibble is a minimally processed dehydrated dog food made with human-grade, whole-food ingredients. Another huge plus, Spot & Tango customizes your pup’s meals for his weight, breed, and activity level.

Unkibble comes in three recipes: beef & barley, chicken & brown rice, and cod & salmon. All meet the AAFCO nutritional levels for all life stages, including the needs of large breed dogs. Spot & Tango also offers fresh-frozen meals. While this company requires a subscription, you can cancel anytime. And you can try it out with their two-week trial that offers a full money-back guarantee. The following details are for the Unkibble beef & barley recipe.

• First 5 ingredients: beef, barley, flaxseeds, carrots, and green beans 
• Formula highlights: human-grade, chicken-free, organ meats, omega fatty acids (from fish oil & flaxseed), and chelated minerals
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 27% (min); crude fat 22% (min); crude fiber 4% (max)
• Calories: 4,426 kcal/kg

“While I do not have a Corsi, I own a large Pitbull mix named Daisy. She is about 75 pounds and is close to 11 years old. I tried this food for her, and she loves it. Daisy has had some food allergy issues and is a picky eater. In particular, she has lost interest in her kibble. The UnKibble is now her favorite food. She cannot get enough of it. She scarfs it up fast and looks at me for more. Even when I mix this in with regular kibble, she loves it. Since starting UnKibble, she has had more energy and less smelly bowel movements. This is probably the best quality dry food we have ever tried.”

– Danielle DeGroot, pet parent of multiple rescued mixed breeds

Price

• Starts at $1.00 per day

Looking for a Spot & Tango promo code? Visit our dedicated Spot & Tango coupon page to check out the latest offer and save.

Full Review Of Spot & Tango

Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Review

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Wellness is well-known for creating dog food that provides whole-body nutritional support. An excellent choice for Cane Corsos, this particular formula is designed to optimize energy levels, support a strong immune system, ensure skin and coat health, and much more. It’s chock full of premium protein, healthy grains, and multiple fruits and veggies, such as spinach, carrots, and blueberries.

• First 5 ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, barley, and peas
• Formula highlights: omega fatty acids (from salmon meal and flaxseed), glucosamine, chondroitin, taurine, prebiotics, and probiotics
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 26% (min); crude fat 12% (min); crude fiber 5% (max)
• Calories: 340 kcal/cup

Price

• $69.98 ($0.15 / Fl Oz) (30-lb bag)

Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Review

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A favorite of pet parents, Taste of the Wild’s High Prairie recipe is formulated with such novel proteins as water buffalo, bison, and venison to support strong bones and joints and lean muscles. This grain- and gluten-free product includes highly digestible complex carbs to give your Corsi plenty of energy.

It’s fortified with vitamins, chelated minerals, and antioxidants from tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, and other sources for holistic health benefits. Although it’s not branded for large breeds, it contains the ideal balance of nutrients for Cane Corsos, plus plenty of protein for lean muscle maintenance.

• First 5 ingredients: water buffalo, lamb meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, and peas
• Formula highlights: omega fatty acids (from fish meal), taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 32% (min); crude fat 18% (min); crude fiber 4% (max)
• Calories: 422 kcal/cup

Price

• $58.99 ($2.11 / lb) (28-lb bag)

Best Wet Dog Food For Cane Corso Adults

Wet and canned food can be an excellent alternative to kibble for Cane Corsos. You can mix it in with their kibble or serve it as a stand-alone meal.

JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Review

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JustFoodForDogs (JFFD), a premium fresh dog food brand, offers a fantastic line of shelf-stable 100% human-grade wet meals. These are fresh food recipes cooked using Tetra Pak technology. You can store them unopened in your pantry for up to two years. Pantry Fresh meals contain no additives, preservatives, growth hormones, or feed-grade ingredients. They also contain enough nutrients, protein, and fat for large-breed dogs.

JFFD offers four regular Pantry Fresh meals: chicken, turkey, beef, and lamb. They also make health-specific formulas, including joint and skin support, renal support, and several other options. All contain minimally processed, super healthy, whole-food ingredients. You can order a sample pack if you’re not sure which one your pup will like.

Each recipe includes different ingredients, but here’s a breakdown of their chicken formula, which is their most popular.

• First 5 ingredients: water, chicken, rice, carrots, and spinach
• Formula highlights: human-grade, whole-food and limited ingredients, cod liver oil and safflower oil (for omega-3 and 6 fatty acids), taurine, and chelated minerals
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 7.5% (min), crude fat 2.5% (min), crude fiber 1% (max)
• Calories: 31 kcal ME/oz

Price

• $62.60 – 12.5 Oz (Sampler Pack of 8)

Get 35% off your first order at JustFoodForDogs. Just use this link to get started.

Full Review Of JustFoodForDogs

Orijen Regional Red Stew Review

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Orijen’s Regional Red Stew wet dog food gets amazing reviews from pet parents. This high-protein formula boasts an impressive 95% of premium animal ingredients, including organ meats, to give your Corsi plenty of fuel. Grain and gluten-free, this shredded stew contains real beef, lamb, duck, sardines and such superfoods as carrots, pumpkin, broccoli, and blueberries. Many pup owners pair it with Orijen’s Regional Red Amazing Grains dry dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: beef, beef bone broth, lamb bone broth, duck, and beef kidney
• Formula highlights: chicken-free, organ meats, bone broth, omega-3s (from whole sardine and salmon oil), prebiotics, turmeric, chelated minerals
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 11% (min); crude fat 5.5% (min); crude fiber 1.5% (max)
• Calories: 359 kcal/can 

Price

• $70.68 ($7.36 / lb) (12.8-oz can, case of 12)

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Large Breed Chicken Dinner Review

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This Blue Buffalo wet dog food is crafted specifically for large breeds. Formulated to support healthy muscle maintenance, this pate-style dog food is made with all-natural ingredients and plenty of high-quality protein for your big buddy. It contains easy-to-digest grains, such as brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. Superfoods like sweet potatoes, blueberries, carrots, and cranberries provide added flavor and nutrients.

• First 5 ingredients: chicken, chicken broth, carrots, brown rice, and peas
• Formula highlights: fish oil, flaxseed, glucosamine, chondroitin, L-carnitine, and chelated minerals
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 10% (min), crude fat 7.5% (min), crude fiber 1.5% (max)
• Calories: 493 kcal/can

Price

• $35.76 ($3.81 / lb) (12.5-oz, case of 12)

Best Dog Food For Senior Cane Corsos

Cane Corsos enter their golden years around seven years of age because their life expectancy is around 9-12 years old. Senior dogs have different nutritional needs than adults, so it’s important to switch your pup’s diet, especially if your furry friend isn’t as active as he used to be. Senior dog food can help keep your dog from gaining weight as he slows down.

Now Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed Senior Review

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This Now Fresh formula contains fewer calories and fat than adult food, but it’s still high in animal protein to support your Corsi’s muscular body, particularly if your aging big buddy is still fairly active. Grain- and chicken-free, this recipe features turkey as the first ingredient, plus fresh salmon and duck for high-quality animal protein. Chock full of omegas and probiotics, it’s an excellent option if your pup has stomach or joint issues that are common in older dogs.

To keep your senior Corsi’s immune system strong, this formula is packed with superfoods, such as carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and many more. We also love that Now Fresh cooks all of its fresh ingredients only once at the lowest temperature possible to preserve their nutrients and flavor.

• First 5 ingredients: deboned turkey, potatoes, peas, whole dried egg, and potato flour
• Formula highlights: chicken-free, grain-free, New Zealand green-lipped mussels, flaxseed, taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, probiotics, and L-carnitine
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 25% (min), crude fat 11% (min), crude fiber 5.5% (max)
• Calories: 376 kcal/cup

• Price: $108.99 ($4.36 / lb) (25-lb bag)

Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Senior Review

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This Nutro formula is specifically crafted for the nutritional needs of senior large-breed dogs who have slowed down in their old age. With lower calories and fat, it’s a fantastic option if your Corsi is prone to weight gain, particularly if he’s much less active than in his younger years. Made with non-GMO ingredients, this recipe contains natural sources of fiber, joint-friendly ingredients, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants for whole-body health. In addition to essential vitamins and minerals, it’s also fortified with such canine superfoods as chia seeds, pumpkin, kale, and spinach.

• First 5 ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, brewer’s rice, and split peas
• Formula highlights: flaxseed, chia seeds, glucosamine, and chondroitin
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 22% (min); crude fat 10% (min); crude fiber 4% (max)
• Calories: 304 kcal/cup

• Price:  $74.97 ($2.50 / lb) (30-lb bag)

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Senior Large Breed Review

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A reasonably-priced, high-quality dog food, this Blue Buffalo recipe is formulated specifically for older large-breed dogs. With fewer calories and less fat and protein content, it can help your Corsi maintain a healthy weight as his activity level slows down. It also includes L-carnitine, which helps the metabolism of fats in older, less active dogs. Real chicken and wholesome grains provide your pup with plenty of fuel, and it’s enriched with antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries. Finally, it contains Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits to maintain a healthy immune system.

• First 5 ingredients: deboned chicken, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, and chicken meal
• Formula highlights: flaxseed, fish oil, DHA, glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, probiotics, and L-carnitine
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 20% (min), crude fat 10% (min), crude fiber 7% (max)
• Calories: 343 kcal/cup

Price: $66.88 ($2.23 / Pound) (30-lb bag)

Should I Consider A Hip & Joint Supplement?

Because Cane Corsos are at a higher risk for developing hip dysplasia and arthritis, you may want to consider adding a daily joint supplement to your big buddy’s diet. The best joint supplements for dogs help maintain joints in healthy dogs, and for dogs with joint problems, they help improve joint health and relieve inflammation, stiffness, and pain. As with all supplements, you should get your vet’s approval to double-check that it’s safe for your pup.