UC-II (undenatured type II collagen) is the collagen form with the strongest joint evidence in dogs. In controlled trials it improved arthritic dogs’ weight-bearing more than glucosamine and chondroitin, and it works at a tiny dose (~10–40 mg/day) by ‘training’ the gut immune system to calm the attack on joint cartilage. It is the form to look for if joints or arthritis are your goal.
What makes UC-II different
Most collagen is hydrolyzed — broken into peptides used as raw material. UC-II is deliberately left undenatured (intact) so the immune tissue in the gut can sample it and switch off the inflammatory attack on the dog’s own cartilage. This ‘oral tolerance’ mechanism (Bagchi 2002) is why UC-II works at milligrams, not grams.
How UC-II is dosed
The studied active dose is about 10 mg/day, and finished products commonly target ~40 mg to clear an end-of-shelf-life threshold. Crucially, it is the same small dose for a small or giant dog. If a product lists UC-II in milligrams, follow that — do not apply a per-pound collagen rule.
| 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
Is UC-II good for dogs?
How much UC-II should I give my dog?
Is UC-II better than glucosamine for dogs?
Sources
- 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
- D’Altilio M, Peal A, Alvey M, et al. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of undenatured type II collagen singly or in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic dogs. Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods. 2007;17(4):189–196. doi:10.1080/15376510600910469
- Varney JL, Fowler JW, Coon CN. Undenatured type II collagen mitigates inflammation and cartilage degeneration in healthy Labrador Retrievers during an exercise regimen. Translational Animal Science. 2021;5(2):txab084. doi:10.1093/tas/txab084
- Bagchi D, Misner B, Bagchi M, et al. Effects of orally administered undenatured type II collagen against arthritic inflammatory diseases: a mechanistic exploration. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research. 2002;22(3–4):101–110. PMID:12837047