If you’re searching for the differences between Dasuquin Vs Cosequin for dogs and are looking to educate yourself on the subject, then chances are you’ve got a dog that’s just starting to develop joint problems that you’re looking to treat before their case progresses any further, you’ve got a dog that has a physical condition such as hip & joint dysplasia that’s really affecting them or you’ve got a dog that’s entered their senior phase and their older years are starting to take their natural toll on them.
Whatever the case may be for you, both Dasuquin and Cosequin are excellent supplements you can give your furry buddy (besides feeding them the absolute best and appropriate dog food for them), but these two supplements are not exactly the same.
Yes, they have many similarities between them as they both serve to solve the same problems that often arise in dogs, but there are also some differences you should know about.
However, before we get into the details about the similarities between Dasuquin and Cosequin, the differences and which of the two is a better fit for your dog’s case, let’s have a quick look at some of our favorite options of both supplements currently available on the market that we rate highest.
Our List Of The Top 3 Dasuquin Options For Dogs – (Updated List For 2017)
Top Pick: Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Chewable Tablets for Dogs
Pick #2: Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews, Large Dog
Pick #3: Nutramax Dasuquin Soft Chews, Small/Medium Dog
*Note: The links in the table above, as well as several links in the remainder of the article below, will take you to over to Amazon.com where you can find out more information about the products, such as current prices and customer reviews.
Our List Of The Top 3 Cosequin Options For Dogs – (Updated List For 2017)
Top Pick: Nutramax Cosequin DS PLUS MSM Chewable Tablets
Pick #2: Nutramax Cosequin DS Chewable Tablets for Dogs
Pick #3: Nutramax Cosequin DS Joint Health Plus MSM Soft Chews
Difference Between Dasuquin And Cosequin For Dogs
So, what’s exactly the difference between Dasuquin & Cosequin that we’re always advised to supplement our dogs’ diets with?
The Two Terms Defined: First thing’s first, let’s start off by defining the two so you have a very clear idea about what each one exactly is.
First off, Cosequin is a supplement given to dogs for maintaining and promoting proper joint health and condition, thanks to the glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM it contains.
Dasuquin is very similar to Cosequin in terms of composition and effect, except that it’s a step up from Cosequin.
In the simplest definition out there, Dasuquin is a supplement for dogs that’s mainly given to them to maintain proper joint health and condition.
Dasuquin is very similar to other supplements that contain glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate, except that it’s considered stronger and much more effective than those other supplements out there on the market.
ASU: One of the reasons why Dasuquin is considered by many to be more powerful than Cosequin and a step above it is because it contains an ingredient called ASU (Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables), something Cosequin does not have.
To explain what ASU does without getting into too much scientific jargon, it’s a specific concentration of oil that’s extracted from soybeans and avocados in calculated amounts, and has been proven to improve joint condition in dogs across dozens of different studies by preventing (or delaying) the production of compounds in a dog’s body that take part in the process of cartilage breakdown.
Method Of Consumption: When it comes to how exactly your dog can supplement with either Dasuquin or Cosequin, there’s not much of a difference between the two.
Nutramax Labs manufactured both of these supplements in the form of very tasty chewable tablets that your dog can simply chew away on and voila, job completed!
It’s always a win-win situation for all parties involved, your dog feels like they’re getting a treat because they’re eating something that’s tasty, and you don’t have to battle your way to get them to take their supplements (which is the case with certain medication dogs sometimes have to take, that just taste outright awful).
With the chewable tablets, you can also just mix them in with your dog’s food so they eat them that way and get a tastier meal – also a win-win situation.
Of course, and for those of you who prefer to give your dog these supplements in a different form, Nutramax Labs also offers specific formulas of both in swallowable capsule form.
For those of you who tend to shy away from giving your dog a capsule to swallow, one trick dog owners do is simply open the capsules, get the powder, add that to your dog’s food and then throw the empty capsules away afterwards.
It’s just an overall much easier process to get your dog to eat a chewable tablet of either Dasuquin or Cosequin, though, and it’s much more fun for them since they’re getting a tasty treat that way.
After all, what’s not to love about a beef/pork flavored chewable tablet? It’s been proven to drive dogs crazy for years and years on end and, as the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!”.
Cost: (Quick Note: Before getting in to the details about this specific point, a disclaimer should be made that prices of these two supplements may change between one specific date and the other, so it’s always up to you to do your due diligence, see prices for yourself and check whether what was written in this section is true at the time of your research.)
As of this writing, Nutramax Labs have their different variety of Dasuquin options priced higher than their Cosequin options.
This is only normal, though, given the fact that Dasuquin is a more powerful and advanced option than Cosequin, with an extra ingredient called ASU (Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables) found in Dasuquin but not found in Cosequin.
So, it’s a matter of evaluating your dog’s condition and determining whether it’s worth paying the higher pricetag for the ASU you’re getting with Dasuquin, or whether spending less on Cosequin without the ASU can get the job done for your dog’s condition just fine.
Manufacturing Company: It should be noted, though, that both Dasuquin and Cosequin are supplements manufactured and sold by the same company called Nutramax Labs.
Why Should I Give My Dog Dasuquin Or Cosequin?
So, why is it exactly that you should have your dog supplement with either Dasuquin or Cosequin?
The most compelling reason is that the ingredients found in either of these supplements, and the amount they’re found in them, cannot be found in most dog food formulas out there.
This is one of the most common mistakes dog owners fall victim of, one of the reasons being how some dog food manufacturing companies greatly hype up their formulas to have dog owners believe that their brand is the “be-all-end-all” in terms of everything a dog will ever need nutrition wise.
So, keep in mind that it’s simply impossible for your dog to be getting the ingredients found in either Dasuquin or Cosequin in the necessary amounts in their diet just from their day to day dog food, especially if they’re suffering from a condition that needs to be treated, which leads to the need for proper supplementation.
When Should I Have My Dog Supplement With Dasuquin And Cosequin?
Now that we’ve covered the definitions of Dasuquin & Cosequin and have discussed the differences between them, let’s go over which dogs should be supplementing with them for proper health and well being.
Arthritis: Obviously enough, Dasuquin & Cosequin are powerful and very effective supplements for dogs that suffer from arthritis and the (sometimes excruciating) joint pain this condition brings along.
Not only will these supplements relieve your dog from physical pain, they’ll also greatly help them get back their flexibility, ability to move around more freely like they used to before and ability to exercise again, seeing that arthritis greatly hinders most forms of physical activity in dogs.
Hip Dysplasia: Another very common condition in dogs called Hip Dysplasia, which basically means that the hip joint in dogs is deformed or not properly in the place it should be, can be solved by Dasuquin/Cosequin supplementation.
Joint Problems: Cosequin or Dasuquin are not only meant to be given to dogs that suffer from a condition as severe as arthritis, most other joint problems in dogs can be solved and joint pain relieved by either of these two supplements, unless of course there’s a medical condition that needs to be overseen by a veterinarian or surgical intervention is needed.
Injury Recovery: Dogs often suffer from different physical injuries where their cartilages are damaged and need repair in order for body functions to get back to normal, in which case both Cosequin or Dasuquin can come in very handy and do a great job in the healing process.
Old Age: As dogs age and enter their senior years phase, their joints become stiffer, bodies become less flexible and they slowly lose their ability to get the same physical activity they used to do back in the day.
This is only normal as time takes its toll on a dog’s body, the same way it does on ours when we age, so having your old dog supplement with either Dasuquin or Cosequin is often a great idea to minimize that deterioration and prolong it as much as possible.
Are There Any Negative Side Effects?
The beautiful thing about both Cosequin for dogs and Dasuquin for dogs is that there isn’t a specific time frame which, if you exceed, these supplements will begin to cause harm to your dog.
As long as you stick to the recommended dosages set by the manufacturing company and/or recommended by your veterinarian, you can continue to give your dog either Cosequin or Dasuquin for a very long time to come without having to worry about negative side effects and having to stop.
Stepping outside of the recommended dosages and schedule for your dog’s age, weight and condition is where the problems start to happen.
Wrapping Up The Cosequin VS Dasuquin Debate
Now that we’ve covered the most important similarities and differences that you should know about both Dasuquin and Cosequin, here’s a final word about which of the two is better for your dog.
First off, there is no definitive answer to this question as it’s almost always going to depend on your dog’s condition and how mild/severe it is.
For example, a dog that’s experiencing fairly light joint pain that only recently appeared on the surface may do very well if they’re given Cosequin, as they may not need something as strong as Dasuquin right off the bat.
Such mild conditions in dogs may very well be solved with Cosequin, as it’s not always the case that you should reach for the strongest item on the shelf right away, especially if lighter items can do the trick just as fine.
On the other hand, a dog that’s experiencing more excruciating joint pain that’s been building up for quite a while now may not benefit from Cosequin and may need Dasuquin because of its stronger properties and its extra ingredient called ASU (Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables).
So, it all depends on what condition your dog has and whether they need something strong or could go with the lighter option.
As always, and if you’re still in doubt about whether Cosequin or Dasuquin is better off for your dog even after you’ve read all of the above, then asking for your veterinarian’s opinion would be the best way to go from here, as they are the most competent individual that’s able to advise you on which of the two supplements is more suitable for YOUR dog’s specific case.
Always remember, no two dogs are alike, every dog is unique with their own specific condition and approaching issues like this should never be done in a “one size fits all” manner.
