Are glucosamine and chondroitin actually proven to help dogs?

The evidence is mixed. Some community threads (notably r/greatdanes) cite current research suggesting glucosamine and chondroitin are not consistently effective in clinical trials, while many veterinarian-recommended brands and verified-purchase reviewers report real-world improvements. Most reviewers treat these supplements as a low-risk adjunct rather than a replacement for prescribed pain medication or NSAIDs.