Some mornings just deserve a little extra flexibility—like this past Sunday when I hosted a casual neighborhood “dog stretch” session at the park. Yep, you read that right. Our furry friends get yoga, too!

As the dogs contorted into what I call “downward dog”—because, well, what else would they do?—I was reminded how important bone and joint health is, not just for us, but for our pups too. That got me thinking about collagen supplements. After all, it’s crucial for keeping their joints healthy and their fur glowing!

Why Collagen Is Important for Dogs

Collagen is the most abundant protein in a dog's body—and mine. This string of structural amino acids is responsible for laying the groundwork for tissue growth. It becomes a latticework of scaffolding throughout and around body structures on which dogs build bones, joints, organs, skin, and more.

It strengthens skin, which can lead to a shinier, smoother coat.

Collagen is also a critical component of the stomach, intestinal, and bladder lining. It helps maintain a barrier between the food being digested and the sensitive walls of these organs. Additionally, it keeps bacteria from leaving the gut microbiome and entering the rest of the body. Sensitive tummies, vomiting, poor bladder control, doggy diarrhea—they can also have a low collagen component.

As dogs—and humans—age, we all produce less collagen. And we need to get more of it in our diets to compensate. Collagen chews for dogs are an easy way to boost their overall health, especially for pups like mine who love running and jumping like there's no tomorrow. They're only approaching middle age, and I want them to stay strong and active for years and years to come.

The Best Collagen Supplements for Dogs

Here’s what I look for when picking out the best collagen supplement for dogs:

Collagen Comes from Beef

The best collagen for dogs and people comes from grass-fed beef herds. I mean, marine collagen is okay if you need to do that for ethical reasons. However, mammal collagen is the most structurally similar to the collagen a dog would naturally produce. Organ meat is rich in Collagen I and Collagen III, in particular. These are especially important for healthy skin, muscles, and bones.

Then, Collagen II, which is best for joints and cartilage, is, you guessed it, found in the cartilage of these animals.

Single Ingredient, High-Quality Sources

I always prefer supplements made from grass-fed or free-range beef herds. It’s the cleanest way to ensure the quality is top-notch without unnecessary fillers. Plus, pasture-raised animals tend to be raised more humanely, which matters to me as an animal lover.

USA Sourced

I prefer to support local jobs and also believe that if I can buy something American, I should. The supply chains from overseas or borders mean that products take longer to get to us, so they may be older products. And there's more room in the journey for a product not to be as natural or helpful as it claims.

In the US, pet foods and treats are regulated by the FDA. So this gives me some added assurance that I'm getting what I pay for.

Ease of Digestion

Collagen needs to be easy on the stomach—especially for dogs with sensitive digestive systems. That's why I stick to healthy treats for dogs, like collagen chews for dogs that don’t upset their tummy but still provide a great nutritional boost.

Flavor

Of course, I want my dogs to actually enjoy their treats! Chews made with natural flavors like beef or chicken are always a hit in my house, but since I'm in favor of bovine collagen (from cows) and single ingredients, I'm team beef flavor all the way.

My dogs will do dog yoga headstands for a tasty treat that packs in some bovine collagen! Okay, no, that's a bit of an exaggeration. But you get the picture.

Now, on to the best collagen supplements for dogs.

Best Collagen for Dogs

Beef Lung Bites

These healthy dog treats are single ingredient. They're just pieces of beef lung, dried to make it last longer. You don't have to refrigerate it. Just use the bag within around two years. Believe me, that won't be a problem. It's huge, but you'll want to give your dogs these collagen chews on the regular.

Here are some ways I incorporate them into their diet.

Now, I could treat it like a daily supplement...and just give them around 4-6 a day—depending on my dog's size. They're low-calorie and so nutritious. So I can absolutely feel good about giving these as a daily treat.

But instead, I like to use them for our training sessions. So, I'll take a few lung bites from the bulk bag. Each one is around the size of my thumbnail. I can easily break it into pieces and give a little piece as a reward for a trick.

I trained my rambunctious terrier with these. And everyone says she's the best-behaved terrier they've ever seen.

Another way I like to use them is this! I give them as an exchange when I need to take something away from my dog.

It's a trick every smart dog parent figures out sooner or later.

So, when my dogs are enjoying their dog bones, and it's time to end their chew session, all I have to do is open the bag, and they come running.

They drop their dog bones. I snatch them up. And I put them in the freezer for later. This way, our dog bones last a really long time.

You'll see a difference in their dog yoga poses when you get your dog some beef lung.

Beef Trachea Treats

Trachea is mostly cartilage. So this is more of that collagen II. I alternate trachea and beef lung just to ensure they get some variety. The trachea is very chewy and highly digestible. It's loaded with not only collagen but also glucosamine and chondroitin.

So, I've been able to replace my dogs’ collagen chew supplements and glucosamine chews with this one super-nutritious treat.

It comes in 2-3 in pieces or 7 in pieces. And you'll want to get a large piece for bigger dogs because they will gnaw pieces off a little at a time.

It's great for aggressive chewers because it doesn't matter how strong their jaw is; they won't be able to break the piece in half. It will take a long time for them to figure out how to gnaw pieces off. And that's the point.

As the reed told the oak in the classic Aesop's Fable, "If I bend, I do not break."

That chewing action makes the trachea better than a dog toothbrush.

You can buy these trachea collagen supplements/glucosamine supplements here.

Real Marrow Bones

And finally, I like to give my dogs beef marrow bones 2-3 times a week. The creamy, sweet marrow contains a lot of collagen plus omega 3 fats, vitamins, and minerals. It's the perfect evening snack. And I have no qualms about calling dog bones a collagen supplement. That marrow is about 30% pure collagen.

And when the marrow is gone, you can refill it with other good dog treats like natural peanut butter (well-stirred) or plain yogurt with berries. Dog bone parfait—Yum! You can find some of my favorite recipes for dog bone re-filling in this free downloadable guide.

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