Hydrolyzed collagen is collagen broken into small peptides so it’s easier for a dog to absorb. It supplies the building blocks for skin, coat, tendons and gut lining, and is the form used for skin and coat support (usually type I & III). A 2024 canine trial also found hydrolyzed collagen peptides improved gait in arthritic dogs. It’s dosed in grams by body weight.
What “hydrolyzed” means
Whole collagen is a large molecule. Hydrolyzing it enzymatically chops it into short peptides that survive digestion and are absorbed, then used as raw material for the dog’s own connective tissue. This is why hydrolyzed collagen (also called collagen peptides) is the standard for skin, coat and general support.
Type I & III — the skin-and-coat pair
Hydrolyzed collagen for dogs is usually type I & III, the structural collagens of skin, coat and gut. Marine sources are richer in type I with smaller, well-absorbed peptides; bovine sources provide type I and III. Match the source to any food allergy.
How it differs from UC-II
Hydrolyzed collagen is building blocks, dosed in grams; UC-II is an intact immune signal, dosed in milligrams for joints. The most complete products include both.
| Active ingredient | Per 2 mL |
|---|---|
| Hydrolyzed collagen peptides (Type I & III) | 462 mg |
| Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) | 48 mg |
| Micro-emulsified salmon oil (omega-3 EPA/DHA) | ~126 mg |
| Pork bone broth concentrate | ~126 mg |
| MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) | ~63 mg |
| L-glutamine | ~52 mg |
| Tyndallized S. boulardii postbiotic | ~21 mg |
| Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid | ~8.4 mg |
| Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) | ~4.2 mg |
| Ginger root extract | ~4.2 mg |
| Natural astaxanthin | ~0.5 mg |
Manufacturer-published formulation, current as of July 2026, per 2 mL daily serving. Ingredient amounts describe the contents; the individual actives have published evidence (below), but this exact multi-active blend has not been tested as a finished product in a controlled canine trial. Introduce gradually and check with your vet if your dog has kidney disease or a protein-restricted diet.
Frequently asked questions
What is hydrolyzed collagen for dogs?
Is hydrolyzed collagen good for dogs?
What’s the difference between hydrolyzed collagen and UC-II?
Sources
- Dobenecker B, Böswald LF, Reese S, et al. The oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides improves gait and quality of life in canine osteoarthritis patients. PLoS One. 2024;19(9):e0308378. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0308378
- Gupta RC, Canerdy TD, Lindley J, et al. Comparative therapeutic efficacy and safety of type-II collagen (UC-II), glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic dogs: pain evaluation by ground force plate. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 2012;96(5):770–777. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01166.x