Could This Daily Boost Help Your Dog Feel Younger?
Could a simple daily supplement help your dog move easier, feel better, and stay youthful longer? Discover how this protein may be the game-changer your pup needs.
Reviewed by Dr. Tracy Duffner
Join the Bark & Whiskers™ Family
Sign up today for our FREE newsletter, packed with expert advice and insider tips to keep your beloved pet in tip-top shape.
View our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Collagen is the most abundant protein in your dog’s body, supporting joints, skin, coat, digestion, and mobility. As dogs age, natural collagen levels drop, affecting comfort and overall wellness
- Early signs of declining collagen include stiffness, slower movement, dry or thinning coats, brittle nails, and digestive issues. Supplementing collagen may help ease these age-related changes
- Adding collagen can improve joint cushioning, reduce stiffness, boost skin hydration, strengthen nails, support healthy digestion, and promote a shinier, thicker coat for dogs of all ages
- Collagen supports muscle recovery, bone strength, connective tissues, and gut health, which also influences immune function. Many dogs experience better mobility, energy, and comfort with daily use
- Dogs can get collagen through bone broth, natural chews, powders, or dog-formulated supplements. Start gradually, choose clean ingredients, and follow recommended daily amounts based on your dog’s size
If you are like most dog parents, you want your pup to feel good, stay active, and enjoy life at every age. Maybe your dog is starting to slow down on walks, hesitate before jumping onto the couch, or struggle with a stiff morning stretch. Or maybe you have noticed changes in their coat, digestion, or overall energy.
These shifts often happen naturally as dogs age, but there may be a simple, natural way to support their comfort and vitality: collagen.
Collagen has become popular in the pet world because of the many ways it may help dogs feel and move better. It is generally safe, easy to add to daily routines, and supports several major systems in your dog’s body. Find out what collagen is, why your dog may need more of it, and how a daily collagen boost could help them feel younger, healthier, and more energized.
What Is Collagen (and Why Does It Matter for Your Dog)?
Collagen is the most abundant protein1 in your dog’s body. It acts as the framework that gives strength and flexibility to skin, muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, tendons, and even the digestive system. Think of it as the “glue” holding the body together.2 It maintains mobility throughout a dog’s bones and connective tissues.3
Your dog naturally makes collagen, but production drops steadily with age. This gradual loss is one of the main reasons older dogs begin to experience stiffness, reduced mobility, dull coats, and digestive challenges. It is also why many pet parents look for ways to help replenish it.
When collagen levels fall, several areas of your dog’s health can decline at the same time. That is because collagen supports so many essential body structures. Adding it back into their diet gives the body more of what it needs to stay strong, flexible, and resilient.
What Are the Signs Your Dog May Be Losing Collagen?
Because collagen is used in so many places inside your dog’s body, the signs of collagen decline can show up in different ways. You might notice your dog:4,5,6
- Takes longer to stand up or lie down
- Seems stiff or sore, especially in the morning
- Has a dry or thinning coat
- Sheds more than usual
- Develops flaky or irritated skin
- Has brittle nails
- Experiences more digestive issues
- Tires more easily
- Has trouble jumping, climbing stairs, or keeping up on walks
Each of these changes can be connected to lower collagen levels but may not be solely due to lower collagen levels. Supporting collagen intake may help slow or ease these age-related shifts.
How Collagen Helps Your Dog Feel Younger
Collagen is not just a “joint supplement” — it supports nearly every major system involved in mobility, comfort, and overall health. Below are the biggest benefits for your pet:7,8,9
- Healthier joints and better mobility — When your dog moves, jumps, or plays, their joints rely on structures like cartilage, tendons, and ligaments to provide cushioning and smooth movement. Collagen is a major component of all these tissues — collagen peptides can provide the building blocks needed to maintain the strength and health of cartilage and connective tissue.10
Collagen also supports flexibility11 and can reduce stiffness in aging or active dogs. It may also help maintain the cushioning in joints as dogs get older. - A shinier coat and healthier skin — Collagen plays a key role in skin elasticity, hydration, and coat quality. As dogs age and collagen declines, the skin loses moisture and becomes more sensitive to irritation. Collagen helps by:
- Strengthening the skin barrier
- Improving elasticity
- Reducing dryness and irritation
- Supporting healthy hair growth
- Reducing shedding
- Strengthening nails
- Better digestion and a stronger gut — Your dog’s digestive system also depends on collagen, as it helps support the health of the gut lining and may help prevent issues like leaky gut syndrome. Collagen contains amino acids that strengthen and repair the gut lining, making it especially helpful for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Since collagen is gentle and easy to digest, it is also a good option for dogs who do not tolerate other protein supplements well. - Stronger muscles, bones, and connective tissues — Collagen supports the tissues that help your dog stay strong and active. It plays a role in muscle recovery, bone structure, and overall physical stability. This can be especially important for senior dogs, dogs recovering from injury, and athletic or working breeds.12
- Overall wellness and immune support — Because so much of the immune system is connected to the gut, collagen’s gut-supporting benefits may also help maintain immune health. When digestion improves, the immune system often strengthens as well.
Why a Collagen Boost Helps Dogs of All Ages
While collagen is especially helpful for seniors, even young dogs can benefit. Collagen can support growing joints, connective tissues, and bones in puppies.
Active or athletic dogs that are prone to intense exercise put strain on their joints, tendons, and ligaments. Collagen helps maintain these structures and supports recovery.
In adult and senior dogs, collagen supports mobility, digestive health, and a healthy coat — key for dogs at any stage of life. During their senior years, dogs’ collagen production declines; regular intake may help ease joint stiffness, support digestion, and improve overall vitality.
How to Add Collagen to Your Dog’s Diet
There are natural food sources that provide whole-food collagen. These include:13,14
- Bone broth
- Beef trachea
- Fish skin
- Chicken feet
Collagen supplements are another option — these are available in different forms like powders, liquids, or capsules, all especially formulated for dogs. These can be mixed into meals or treats. When choosing a collagen supplement, look for these qualities:15
- Uses hydrolyzed collagen (more digestible)
- Has clean ingredients with no fillers
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- The collagen is sourced from grass fed or pasture-raised animals
Always look for dog-specific supplements — avoid human formulations. Human collagen supplements may contain additives and sweeteners unsafe for pets. Collagen chews are another simple and enjoyable way to supplement collagen daily. They offer extra benefits like dental support and mental stimulation.
So how much collagen should your dog get? Below are the dosage recommendations based on weight, according to Pet Guide:16
- Small dogs (under 25 lbs.) — 1 to 2 grams per day
- Medium dogs (25 to 50 lbs.) — 2 to 4 grams per day
- Large dogs (50+ lbs.) — 4 to 6 grams per day
It is best to introduce collagen gradually to reduce the chance of mild digestive upset. When feeding collagen-rich foods, start small, adding collagen a few times a week, then slowly increase as tolerated.
Is Collagen Safe?
Collagen is generally considered safe and well-tolerated for dogs of all ages but always get your veterinarian’s opinion before starting any new supplement. There can be side effects, but they are usually temporary, such as gas, slight bloating, and loose stools.
If this happens, simply reduce the dose and increase more slowly. Dogs with allergies to specific proteins (such as beef, chicken, or fish) may need a different collagen source, so checking labels is important.
A Simple Daily Boost with Big Benefits
Collagen is not a cure-all, but it is one of the simplest, safest ways to support your dog’s whole-body health. From joints to digestion to skin and coat, collagen plays a part in almost every structure your dog relies on to feel comfortable and active.
As dogs age and produce less collagen, adding it back into their daily routine may help them feel more mobile, more energetic, and more like their younger selves.
A daily collagen chew, spoonful of powder, or splash of bone broth may be a small step — but it can make a meaningful difference in your dog’s comfort and quality of life.
Sources and References
- 1 Polymers (Basel). 2021 Nov 9;13(22):3868
- 2,7 Animal Wellness Magazine, November 11, 2025
- 3,5,6,9,14 Red Barn, April 10, 2025
- 4,8,13,15,16 Pet Guide, February 18, 2025
- 10 Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 7, 254-266
- 11 Translational Animal Science, Volume 6, Issue 3, July 2022, txac123
- 12 PLoS ONE 19(9): e0308378
