Tailwise Hip & Joint
Product questions, answered plainly
33 questions about what is in the chew, how to give it, safety, what to expect, how it is made, and ordering. Where an answer rests on research, it links to the Field Guide article with the sources.
What's in it
What is in a Tailwise Hip & Joint chew?
Five active ingredients, each listed with its own amount per 2.5 g chew: green lipped mussel powder 200 mg, Boswellia serrata 25 mg, turmeric (organic) 25 mg, Yucca schidigera 25 mg and black pepper (organic) 5 mg. The inactive ingredients are natural chicken flavor, citric acid (as a preservative), flaxseed meal, garbanzo flour, glycerin (from palm, RSPO), palm fruit oil (organic, RSPO), pea flour and sunflower lecithin. There is no proprietary blend.
Does Tailwise contain glucosamine or chondroitin?
No. Tailwise is glucosamine-free by design. We built the chew around green lipped mussel, a whole-food shellfish ingredient that contains glycosaminoglycans and omega-3 fatty acids. If your dog is doing well on a glucosamine product, there is no reason to switch for its own sake.
Green lipped mussel vs glucosamine: what the dog research says
Why green lipped mussel?
Because, of the joint ingredients we reviewed, omega-3 sources such as green lipped mussel have the most dog research behind them. The trials are small and used other products, so their results are not results for ours. Our mussel comes from New Zealand, and each chew carries 200 mg.
Why are Boswellia, turmeric, yucca and black pepper in the formula?
They are botanicals commonly used in joint supplements. We are plain about the evidence: they have less dog research behind them than green lipped mussel does, which is why the chew is built around the mussel and lists every amount so you can see exactly what you are giving.
Does it contain wheat, corn, soy or artificial additives?
No wheat, corn or soy, and no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It does contain shellfish (green lipped mussel), natural chicken flavor, and legume and seed ingredients: garbanzo flour, pea flour and flaxseed meal.
Giving it
How many Tailwise chews does my dog need each day?
Follow the label, by body weight: 1 soft chew a day for dogs up to 40 lb, 2 chews a day for dogs 41 to 80 lb, and 3 chews a day for dogs over 80 lb. Do not give more than the amount on the label.
How long does one jar last?
A jar holds 60 soft chews. At the label amounts that is 60 days for a dog up to 40 lb, 30 days for a dog of 41 to 80 lb, and 20 days for a dog over 80 lb.
From what age can a dog have Tailwise?
The label says dogs 1 year and older. If your dog is younger or still growing, ask your veterinarian. There is no official age at which a dog should start a joint supplement, and keeping a dog lean has stronger evidence behind it than any supplement.
When in the day should I give it?
The label sets no time of day. Pick a moment that already happens every day, such as the morning meal, and keep to it. The routine matters more than the hour.
What if my dog won't eat it?
Taste is individual, and no chew suits every dog. Tailwise is a chicken-flavor soft chew made to be taken from the hand like a treat. If your dog refuses it, the 60-day money-back guarantee applies.
Can I give Tailwise with medication or other supplements?
Ask your veterinarian first, and tell them everything your dog takes, including this chew. That matters most if your dog is on prescription medication, has a diagnosed condition, or is due for surgery.
I missed a day. Should I give extra?
No. Give the normal amount the next day. Do not double up, and do not exceed the amount on the label.
Can I give it to my cat?
No. Tailwise Hip & Joint is for use in dogs only.
Safety
Is Tailwise safe for dogs with allergies?
It contains shellfish (green lipped mussel) and natural chicken flavor. If your dog has a known or suspected allergy to shellfish or chicken, talk to your veterinarian before use.
Can pregnant or nursing dogs have it?
Safe use in pregnant animals or animals intended for breeding has not been proven. Talk to your veterinarian before giving any supplement to a pregnant or nursing dog.
My dog ate a lot of chews at once. What should I do?
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away, and have the jar to hand so you can read out the ingredients and the lot number. Soft chews taste good, so keep the jar closed and out of your dog's reach.
What if my dog seems worse, or reacts badly?
Stop giving the chew and consult your veterinarian. The label says the same: if the animal's condition worsens or does not improve, stop and consult your veterinarian.
Is Tailwise a medicine or a painkiller?
No. It is a supplement that supports joint comfort and mobility. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and it does not replace veterinary care. If your dog seems to be in pain, that is a conversation for your veterinarian.
The label says "intermittent or supplemental use only". Can I give it every day?
Yes, at the label amount. That sentence is standard wording for animal supplements and means the chew is an addition to a complete diet, not a food that can replace one.
Can people eat it?
No. It is not for human consumption. Keep it out of the reach of children and animals.
What to expect
How long before I notice anything?
Think in weeks, not days, and know that some dogs show no change. The clinical trials of joint supplements in dogs ran from 28 to 180 days. We do not promise a result or a date.
How will I know whether it is doing anything?
Write down three things before the first chew: how long your dog takes to get up after a rest, how they handle stairs or the car, and how many minutes into a walk they slow down. Check the same three things at week 4 and week 8. Notes and a short video are more reliable than memory.
What if I see no change?
Take your notes to your veterinarian. Weight control and prescription pain relief have stronger evidence behind them than any supplement. If you are within 60 days of your order, the money-back guarantee applies.
Will Tailwise help my dog's arthritis or hip dysplasia?
We cannot say that, and no supplement brand should. Tailwise supports joint comfort and mobility. A dog with a diagnosed joint disease needs a plan from a veterinarian, and you should ask them whether a supplement belongs in it.
How it's made
Where is Tailwise made?
In the United States, with US and globally sourced ingredients. The green lipped mussel comes from New Zealand.
What do cGMP and NASC mean for Tailwise?
The facility that makes Tailwise holds a NASC primary supplier audit certificate and a third-party cGMP certificate. Those describe how the factory is run. Tailwise itself is not a NASC member company, so the jar does not carry the NASC Quality Seal.
Where do I find the lot number and best-by date?
Both are printed on the bottom of the jar. Quote the lot number if you ever contact us or your veterinarian about a jar.
How should I store it?
Below 80°F, with the lid closed, out of reach of pets and children.
Ordering and returns
Where can I buy Tailwise?
On tailwise.dog. You can order one, two or three jars, or subscribe.
How does the subscription work?
You choose a delivery every 4, 6 or 8 weeks to match your dog's size, and you can skip a delivery or cancel at any time. Current prices are on the order page.
How long does shipping take?
Orders are typically processed within 1 to 2 business days and ship from US fulfillment centers. You receive tracking details when your order ships.
What is the guarantee?
A 60-day money-back guarantee. If Tailwise is not right for your dog, email info@tailwise.dog with your order number within 60 days of your order.
How do I contact you?
Email info@tailwise.dog. For anything about your dog's health, contact your veterinarian first.
Tailwise Hip & Joint supports joint comfort and mobility. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Product details on this page match the printed label; if the two ever differ, follow the label on your jar.