Best Joint Supplements for Cats in Australia (Vet-Approved Guide)

Best Overall Joint Supplement: 4CYTE Epiitali Forte Gel for Cats
Best Anti-Inflammatory Joint Supplement: Antinol Plus for Cats
Best Joint Supplement for Senior Cats: PAW Osteosupport Joint Care Powder For Cats
Best Joint Supplement for Early Joint Support & Prevention: Covetrus OsteoRelief Green Lipped Mussel Joint Powder for Dogs & Cats
Best Natural Joint Supplement Option: Natural Animal Solutions Omega Oil 3, 6 & 9 Cat Formula
Best Value Joint Supplement: Vetalogica Feline Joint Support Chews

4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte Gel for Cats

Formulated with the patented plant-oil extract Epiitalis®, 4CYTE is a vet-exclusive joint supplement designed to help reduce joint inflammation while supporting cartilage health at a cellular level.

It’s clinically supported for improving comfort and mobility in cats with early osteoarthritis and age-related joint stiffness, and is also well suited for proactive joint support in senior or at-risk cats. The palatable gel format allows for accurate dosing and is easier to administer than tablets, making it ideal for long-term use in cats.

Why Dr Jack recommends it:

• Backed by peer-reviewed research in joint health and cartilage support
• Helps reduce inflammation and protect cartilage before irreversible joint damage occurs
• Easy-to-administer gel format improves daily compliance in cats

Antinol for Cats

Antinol is a veterinary-only joint supplement formulated with a patented blend of marine lipid concentrates, including PCSO-524, derived from sustainably sourced New Zealand green-lipped mussels.

Rather than focusing on cartilage structure alone, Antinol works by modulating inflammatory pathways, helping reduce joint pain, stiffness, and discomfort in cats — often within weeks of consistent use.

It’s particularly valuable for cats that:

• Can’t tolerate long-term NSAID use or require dose-sparing support
• Need additional inflammation control alongside structural joint supplements
• Have early to moderate osteoarthritis or ongoing joint inflammation

The capsule format allows precise weight-based dosing, and Antinol is commonly used by vets as part of a multi-modal arthritis management plan, rather than as a standalone treatment.

Why Dr Jack recommends it:

• Strong clinical evidence supporting reduction of joint inflammation and pain
• Useful where NSAIDs are contraindicated or need to be minimised
• Complements cartilage-support supplements rather than replacing them

PAW Osteosupport Joint Care Powder for Cats

PAW Osteosupport is a veterinary-formulated joint supplement containing fresh New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna128®), a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin to help support cartilage health and joint lubrication while easing age-related stiffness.

Designed for both preventative and therapeutic support, it’s particularly well suited to senior cats experiencing reduced mobility, subtle stiffness, or early osteoarthritis. The capsule powder format can be opened and mixed with food, making daily administration easier for older or fussy cats.

Why Dr Jack recommends it:

• Formulated with clinically supported ingredients to help maintain mobility in ageing cats
• Powder format improves compliance in senior cats that resist tablets
• Well suited for cats entering their senior years and needing consistent, long-term joint support

Covetrus OsteoRelief Green-Lipped Mussel Joint Powder for Dogs & Cats

Covetrus OsteoRelief is a veterinary-formulated joint supplement made with freeze-dried New Zealand green-lipped mussel, a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids and glycosaminoglycans that help support cartilage integrity, joint lubrication, and healthy inflammatory balance.

Designed primarily for early joint support and prevention, it’s well suited to adult cats who are still active but may be at higher risk of joint issues due to age, weight, breed, or previous injury. The powder format mixes easily with food, making it a practical option for long-term, proactive joint care before stiffness or arthritis becomes clinically apparent.

Why Dr Jack recommends it:

• Supports joint health and cartilage function before degenerative changes occur
• Natural green-lipped mussel formulation helps maintain a healthy inflammatory response
• Easy-to-use powder format encourages early, consistent supplementation

Natural Animal Solutions Omega Oil 3, 6 & 9 Cat Formula

This naturally derived omega oil blend provides essential omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids to support joint comfort by helping maintain a healthy inflammatory response. Rather than targeting cartilage structure directly, it offers whole-body anti-inflammatory support, which can play an important role in long-term joint health.

It’s particularly well suited to cats needing a gentle, natural approach to joint support — including senior cats, cats with early stiffness, or those requiring complementary care alongside primary joint supplements. The liquid oil format is easy to mix into food, making it a practical option for daily, long-term use.

Why Dr Jack recommends it:

• Provides natural anti-inflammatory support without synthetic joint compounds
• Helps support joints, skin, and coat health simultaneously
• Liquid oil format allows flexible dosing and easy mixing with food

Vetalogica Feline Joint Support

Vetalogica Feline Joint Support is a vet-formulated joint supplement designed to provide broad, everyday joint support at an accessible price point. It contains key joint-supporting nutrients, including glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and omega-rich oils, to help maintain cartilage health and joint flexibility.

Best suited to cats with early joint changes or those needing ongoing maintenance, this supplement offers a practical option for long-term use without the higher cost of more specialised formulations. The palatable chewable format helps improve acceptance, making it easier for owners to maintain consistent daily supplementation.

Why Dr Jack recommends it:

• Provides foundational joint support at a cost-effective price
• Suitable for long-term maintenance in cats with mild or early joint concerns
• Palatable format improves compliance for daily use

When recommending joint supplements, veterinarians don’t rely on marketing claims — we look at how a product performs in real clinical use. Every supplement included in this guide was selected using the same principles applied in everyday veterinary practice: prioritising evidence-based formulations, appropriate dosing, and products that can be used safely and consistently over time.

Because joint supplements vary widely in quality and purpose, each product was assessed for its role in supporting cartilage health, inflammatory control, and comfortable movement across different stages of joint disease — from early support through to long-term arthritis management.

Our selection process considered:

Ingredient transparency
Products were required to clearly disclose active ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, omega-3 fatty acids, and Epiitalis®, including their specific forms and meaningful inclusion levels. Supplements relying on vague descriptions like “joint blend” or “proprietary formula” without clear dosing were excluded.

Veterinary use and endorsement
Priority was given to supplements commonly recommended, prescribed, or supplied through veterinary channels, with a track record of safe and effective use in both preventive care and long-term joint management.

Clinical support and outcomes
We favoured products supported by published research, veterinary trials, or consistent real-world outcomes demonstrating improvements in comfort, joint function, or inflammatory control — rather than unverified claims or anecdotal marketing.

Formulation quality and suitability for ongoing use
Each supplement was assessed for balanced ingredient ratios, bioavailable sources of key nutrients, and avoidance of unnecessary fillers or artificial additives. Products that could realistically be administered daily over months or years scored highest.

Safety, manufacturing standards, and compliance
Only supplements produced by reputable manufacturers with established quality control processes and compliance with Australian pet supplement and feed standards were included.

We only feature vet-approved joint supplements that demonstrate genuine clinical benefit, ingredient transparency, and long-term safety, not those marketed with buzzwords or unverified claims.

Some supplements focus on cartilage structure, others on inflammation. In many cats, especially those with arthritis, the most effective approach combines both.

Joint supplements can vary widely in their formulation, ingredient quality, and clinical relevance — and not all products provide meaningful joint support for cats. When evaluating a supplement, veterinarians look beyond marketing claims to assess how effectively it supports cartilage health, controls inflammation, and preserves comfortable movement over time.

Below are the core active ingredients veterinarians most commonly rely on for feline joint care, along with how they work and when they’re most useful:

Glucosamine:
Supports cartilage structure and joint fluid, helping maintain joint resilience and slow degenerative changes.

Chondroitin Sulphate:
Helps protect cartilage from breakdown while supporting joint flexibility and shock absorption.

Green-Lipped Mussel:
A natural source of omega-3 fatty acids and glycosaminoglycans that help reduce inflammation and improve joint lubrication.

Epiitalis®:
A patented plant oil extract that supports cartilage cell health and helps reduce inflammatory processes at a cellular level.

Marine Lipid Concentrates (e.g. PCSO-524®):
Specialised extracts that modulate inflammatory pathways, helping reduce joint pain and stiffness without directly rebuilding cartilage.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane):
Provides sulphur to support connective tissue health and may help relieve stiffness and mild inflammation.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA):
Support a healthy inflammatory response within joints and are commonly used alongside structural joint supplements. 

According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), therapeutic diets enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids (specifically EPA and DHA) are clinically proven to improve mobility and activity levels in cats with degenerative joint disease.

Antioxidants (e.g. Vitamins C & E):
Help counter oxidative stress that contributes to joint inflammation and tissue degeneration.

Not all joint supplements are created equal, and clear packaging doesn’t always reflect formulation quality. When reviewing a joint supplement for your cat, it’s important to look past marketing claims and focus on what the label actually tells you.

When checking a label, look for:

• Clearly listed active ingredients with exact quantities, such as green-lipped mussel extract or glucosamine listed in milligrams, rather than vague terms like “joint blend” or “proprietary formula.”
• Evidence-based ingredients commonly used in feline joint care, including green-lipped mussel, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), Epiitalis®, MSM, or marine lipid concentrates.
• Clear dosing instructions appropriate for cats, ideally based on body weight, to ensure safe and effective daily use.
• Ingredient order that prioritises active compounds over fillers, flavourings, or sweeteners, which can indicate higher formulation quality.
• Veterinary endorsement or clinical support, as products recommended through veterinary channels are more likely to meet established safety and efficacy standards.

A well-labelled supplement should allow you — and your veterinarian — to understand exactly what your cat is receiving and whether it’s likely to provide meaningful joint support over time.

1. Your Cat’s Age and Joint Health

• Younger or middle-aged cats may benefit from preventative support using ingredients like green-lipped mussel or omega-3 fatty acids.
• Senior cats or those showing signs of stiffness or reduced mobility often need more targeted support, including anti-inflammatory or cartilage-protective formulations.

Choosing a supplement that matches your cat’s current stage of joint health helps avoid both under- and over-supplementation.

2. Ingredient Transparency

Always review the label for clearly listed active ingredients and meaningful inclusion levels. Supplements that rely on vague terms such as “joint complex” or “proprietary blend” make it difficult to assess effectiveness and should be approached with caution.

3. Format and Long-Term Acceptance

Joint supplementation is typically long term, so the format matters. Cats are often more selective than dogs, making palatability and ease of administration especially important.

Common options include:

• Gels
• Capsules that can be opened and mixed with food
• Powders or oils

Choose a format your cat is most likely to accept consistently.

4. Safety, Dosing, and Veterinary Endorsement

Look for products with clear dosing guidance appropriate for cats, ideally based on body weight. Supplements recommended or supplied through veterinary channels are more likely to meet established safety, manufacturing, and quality standards.

If your cat has other health conditions or is already on medication, it’s always best to discuss supplementation with your veterinarian.

Do cats get arthritis?
Arthritis and degenerative joint disease are very common in cats, particularly as they age, but the signs are often subtle. Rather than limping, cats tend to show changes such as reduced jumping, stiffness after rest, sleeping more, or altered grooming behaviour, which is why joint disease is frequently underdiagnosed.

When should a cat start taking a joint supplement?
Joint supplements can be introduced at different stages depending on a cat’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors. Younger or middle-aged cats may benefit from early, preventative support, while senior cats or those showing stiffness or behavioural changes often require more targeted joint and anti-inflammatory support. Starting earlier can help maintain joint health before significant degeneration occurs.

Can joint supplements cure arthritis in cats?
Joint supplements cannot reverse existing joint damage, but they can help support cartilage health, reduce inflammation, and improve overall comfort when used consistently. In cats with arthritis, supplements are most effective as part of a broader management plan that may also include weight management, environmental adjustments, and veterinary-prescribed treatments.

How long does it take for joint supplements to work in cats?
Most joint supplements act gradually and require consistent daily use. Some cats show improvement in comfort or movement within a few weeks, while others may take four to eight weeks or longer, particularly when the supplement focuses on structural joint support rather than inflammation control.

Are joint supplements safe for long-term use in cats?
Vet-approved joint supplements are generally formulated for long-term use and are commonly used in senior cats or those with chronic joint conditions. Products recommended by veterinarians or sold through veterinary channels typically meet higher safety and quality standards, though cats with other medical conditions should always be assessed individually.

Can cats take joint supplements alongside prescription medications?
Joint supplements are frequently used alongside prescription pain relief or anti-inflammatory medications as part of a multi-modal arthritis management approach. They are not intended to replace prescribed treatments, but they can help support joint comfort and may contribute to improved long-term management when used under veterinary guidance.

Can I give my cat a joint supplement made for dogs?
Some joint supplements are labelled for both dogs and cats, but many dog-only products are not appropriate for cats due to differences in dosing, formulation, or ingredient concentrations. Choosing supplements that are specifically formulated for cats, or clearly labelled as safe for feline use, helps ensure appropriate dosing and safety.

What’s the best joint supplement for my cat?
There isn’t a single joint supplement that suits every cat. The most appropriate choice depends on factors such as age, stage of joint disease, presence of inflammation, and how easily the supplement can be administered. A veterinarian can help tailor a joint support plan that best meets an individual cat’s needs.

Joint health plays an important role in your cat’s comfort and quality of life, particularly as they age. While joint changes can’t always be prevented, early support and consistent care can help preserve comfortable movement over time.

Choosing evidence-based joint supplements and using them as part of a broader joint care approach — including weight management, supportive home environments, and veterinary guidance — can make a meaningful difference.

With the right support in place, many cats can continue to move comfortably and maintain good quality of life well into their senior years.