Green-lipped mussel for dogs. What is in it, how much it takes, what to look for

The green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) is a mussel from New Zealand. Its powder contains glycosaminoglycans, omega-3 fatty acids and minerals. It is the joint ingredient with the strongest evidence behind it in dogs, and also the one most often sold in trace amounts.

How much does a dog need?

The studies that found an effect worked with 25 to 50 mg of mussel powder per kilogram of body weight per day. A 30 kg dog therefore needs 750 to 1500 mg a day. That is the figure to hold every label against.

A chew with 100 mg of green-lipped mussel, two of which a 30 kg dog gets per day, delivers 200 mg. That is barely 7 mg per kilogram, a quarter of the lower reference figure. Such a product is not wrong, but the mussel content contributes very little.

Powder, tablets or chews?

• Powder is usually pure mussel powder and the cheapest per milligram. The drawback is the smell. Not every dog wants it in the bowl.
• Tablets are precise and keep well. With a fussy dog you will need liver paste.
• Chews get eaten readily, but they contain binders and flavourings, and the amount per piece is often small. Always convert it to your dog's weight.

How to recognise a product that is honestly dosed

1. The amount of mussel powder per serving is stated in milligrams on the label, not merely "contains green-lipped mussel".
2. The feeding table is graded by weight.
3. If glucosamine or chondroitin are also present, their amounts are stated too.
4. Full-fat powder (not defatted) still contains the omega-3 fatty acids. That is usually marked as "full fat" or "not de-oiled".

What green-lipped mussel cannot do

It is a complementary feed, not a medicine. If your dog is moving differently than usual, the cause belongs with your vet first. Only after that is it worth asking whether, and how much, mussel powder supports everyday life.