When it comes to safeguarding your aging dog's joints, you might already be well-versed in glucosamine and MSM. However, did you know there's more you can do to keep those joints in prime condition? Hyaluronic acid is a crucial yet lesser-known element in joint health. Regrettably, as dogs age, their bodies generate less and less of this substance. This is precisely why Hyalogic utilizes it as the foundation for their joint health supplements. Their distinctive Hyaflex™ PRO Complete Joint Care Liquid contains this vital compound, along with glucosamine and MSM, for overall enhanced joint health. My two senior dogs have been testing this supplement for the past three weeks, and I've already witnessed some quite astonishing outcomes. Keep reading to discover how this hyaluronic acid supplement has assisted them and to peruse my comprehensive Hyalogic Hyaflex™ PRO Complete Joint Care Liquid review.
Overview
This joint supplement is distinct from most in numerous ways. Firstly, it is a clear, viscous liquid, making it relatively straightforward to administer. I added a dose to each of my dogs' breakfasts daily, and they had no issue consuming it. The convenient dosing bottle simplifies this process and prevents the mess typically left by most liquid supplements. I also appreciate the purity of the ingredients. Each bottle contains HA, Glucosamine, MSM, water, and zinc citrate. There are no artificial colors, synthetic preservatives, or added flavors. Of course, the most significant aspect of any supplement is its efficacy. Here, I was highly impressed. It took a couple of weeks to observe results, but once the changes began, I was amazed. Ragz has always fared decently on a simple glucosamine supplement, but nothing has been able to improve Papyrus' backend mobility issues. However, after two weeks of consistent use, his knees and hips started moving as they used to. He still has the occasional hitch in his step from his luxating patellas, but the range of motion in his hips has improved significantly. Simultaneously, the pain in his lower back seems to have lessened, likely because the muscles in his back legs are less tense due to decreased joint pain. Both dogs appear less stiff and are able to get up and down more easily than before. All indications suggest that this supplement has provided more joint pain relief and lubrication than the glucosamine-based supplements I was using previously.
Our Experience
As the owner of two senior dogs, I'm well aware of the importance of joint support. My Dalmatian mix, Ragz, turns fourteen this month and has had a troublesome shoulder since she was a puppy. My fifteen-year-old Chihuahua, Papyrus, is in an even worse state, with lifelong double luxating patellas that have left his entire backend sore and stiff. Both of them have been on a glucosamine supplement for years. Thanks to those supplements and CBD, they get around reasonably well with minimal pain. Still, I felt there was more I could do to support their joint health and prevent further damage. That's why I eagerly seized the opportunity to test Hyaflex™ PRO Complete Joint Care Liquid from Hyalogic. This unique joint supplement contains hyaluronic acid (HA), a compound that supports joint, eye, and skin health. I had never used HA for my dogs before and was excited to see how this supplement might benefit them.
What I Liked
This joint supplement is different from most in many ways. For one, it is a clear, viscous liquid. This makes it fairly easy to administer. I added a dose to each of my dogs' breakfasts every day and they had no problem eating it up. The easy dose bottle makes this process simple and prevents the mess that most liquid supplements leave behind. I also like how pure the ingredients are. Each bottle contains HA, Glucosamine, MSM, water, and zinc citrate. There are no artificial colors, synthetic preservatives, or added flavors. Of course, the most important aspect of any supplement is how well it works. Here, I was very impressed. It took a couple of weeks to see results, but once the changes started rolling in, I was amazed. Ragz has always done fairly well on a simple glucosamine supplement, but nothing has been able to improve Papyrus' backend mobility issues. But after two weeks of consistent use, his knees and hips started moving like they used to. He still has the occasional hitch in his step from his luxating patellas, but the range of motion in his hips has improved drastically. At the same time, the pain in his lower back seems to have lessened, probably because the muscles in his back legs are less tense due to decreased joint pain. Both dogs seem less stiff and are able to get up and down easier than before. All indications are that this supplement has provided more joint pain relief and lubrication than the glucosamine-based supplements I was using before.
Where I Saw Room for Improvement
One minor complaint I have about this product is that the easy-measure bottle doesn't have markings for ⅛ oz servings. Instead, the instructions say to use the cap to measure out the doses (1/2 cap for small dogs and 1 cap for large dogs). But, because pouring straight from the measuring reservoir is so much less messy, I usually just eyeball Papyrus' small dog dose. In terms of more significant issues, I think it's important to note that the amounts of glucosamine and MSM in this supplement are quite small. Each large dog dose contains only 75mg of each. Since the recommended dose of MSM is 50 to 100mg per 10 pounds and the recommended glucosamine dose is even higher, this supplement doesn't quite provide enough of each on its own. However, I did still see substantial improvements in my dogs' mobility while using this supplement. This tells me that the lubricating activity of HA is doing more in the short term for their joint health than glucosamine and MSM. To get the best of both worlds, I'm going to add a separate glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin supplement on top of this with the hopes that I'll see sustained improvement for the long term.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Contains hyaluronic acid
- Easy to dose
- Clean ingredients
- No flavor or odor
- Contains additional joint support ingredients
- Up to 2 month supply
Cons
- Low glucosamine and MSM amounts
- Higher price point
- No small dog measurement marker
Key Features
Contains Hyaluronic Acid
Research has shown that the amount of hyaluronic acid present in the space between joints decreases with age and joint disease severity. Because this compound is vital for lubricating joints, decreased amounts can lead to joint damage, inflammation, and pain. Both injected and orally administrated HA have proven abilities to increase HA fluid concentration around joints and improve mobility. Each dose of Hyaflex™ PRO Complete Joint Care Liquid contains 25mg of HA to help keep aging and overworked joints lubricated to avoid damage and inflammation.
How to Administer
Hyaflex™ PRO Complete Joint Care Liquid is a tasteless, odorless liquid, making it extremely simple to give to your dog. The easiest way to administer this product is to add it to your dog's meals. Even the pickiest of eaters isn't likely to notice it. You can also dose this liquid directly into your dog's mouth. I tried both methods and had success with each. However, adding it to their food was much easier and less messy.
When to Use
Hyaluronic acid supplementation is key to keeping joints lubricated as dogs age. Hyalogic recommends starting dogs on the supplement around the age of seven. Larger breeds that experience more joint stress should start the product even earlier. In addition to senior dogs, working dogs and those recovering from stress or injury will also benefit from the supportive effects of HA. In addition to supporting joint health, this product also lubricates the eyes and skin. This makes it a great option for dogs who suffer from dry eyes, dandruff, or itchiness.
About Hyalogic
Hyalogic manufactures a wide range of HA products for both humans and pets. They are based in Riverside, Missouri and produce high-molecular weight HA that is lab tested for purity. They offer a satisfaction guarantee where you can return the unused portion for a full refund and free shipping on orders over $49.
Is Hyaflex™ PRO Complete Joint Care Liquid a Good Value?
There aren't many HA-based pet supplements on the market. And the available options don't have the added benefits of glucosamine and MSM or the quality guarantee that Hyalogic provides. So, while this product may be more costly per dose than other HA options, we believe it still offers better value for what you receive.
How We Tested
I enlisted the help of my two senior dogs to test this product. I began by taking them off their regular joint support supplement and using HyaFlex Pro instead. I administered the liquid directly into their mouths and by adding it to their food to assess its ease of use. While my dogs accepted both methods, adding it to their meals was a much simpler option. Moving forward, I added the appropriate dose to their breakfasts each morning. I kept records of their mobility, stiffness levels, and pain throughout the three-week testing period. At around the two-week mark, I noticed a significant improvement in Papyrus' hip mobility, followed shortly by a clear reduction in pain and stiffness in his back end. At the three-week mark, there was a notable improvement in stiffness and activity levels for both dogs. Additionally, I spent time reading research papers about HA use in pets and delving into the details of what makes Hyalogic different from other joint supplement options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does Hyaflex support joints?
Hyaflex™ PRO Complete Joint Care Liquid helps increase lubrication between joints to prevent damage and relieve inflammation.
Can I give this to my dog before they show signs of joint problems?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid concentrations decline as our pets age and with increased stress on joints. Supplementing with this product can help maintain normal HA levels before damage occurs.
What is the dose of Hyaflex™ PRO Complete Joint Care Liquid?
Dogs under 25 pounds should get ⅛ ounce and dogs over 25 pounds should be given ¼ ounce. This dose should be given once per day.
Conclusion
If you're like me and want to do more to protect your aging dog's joints, I highly recommend adding Hyaflex™ PRO Complete Joint Care Liquid to their routine. This unique supplement helps lubricate joints to prevent damage and reduce inflammation that may already be present. It contains MSM and glucosamine to support long-term joint health. And, best of all, it's easy to dose and produces fast results.
