Undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) for dogs is a joint supplement that helps decrease inflammation aimed at joint cartilage. As integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains, this makes UC-II a great solution for dogs with arthritis or other orthopedic issues. Dr. Buzby discusses how UC-II can help your dog and which dogs might benefit from it. Plus, she provides guidelines for selecting a UC-II supplement for your dog.
If you’ve ever searched for joint supplements for your beloved dog, you know how overwhelming the options can be. It can feel almost impossible to know which combination of ingredients, whether they’re tried and true or new on the market, will be the best choice.
While many joint supplements promise the same results, they don’t all work the same way. For example, undenatured type II (two) collagen, or UC-II, works differently from many other ingredients. Rather than providing building blocks for healthy joints, UC-II reduces inflammation in the joints and protects the cartilage naturally.
What is UC-II for dogs?
Undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) is a type of collagen derived from chicken sternum cartilage that, when used as a supplement, may help relieve joint pain and improve mobility in dogs with osteoarthritis.
What sets UC-II apart from other types of collagen in supplements is the fact that it does not undergo chemical or physical alteration during extraction from the chicken cartilage. Instead, undenatured type-II collagen retains its natural triple-helix 3D structure, hence the word “undenatured” in the name. Why does this matter? Let’s find out.
How does undenatured type-II collagen for dogs work?
UC-II has a unique mechanism of action called oral tolerance. It works like this. When the body repeatedly encounters a small amount of something by mouth (like a food protein, or in this case, UC-II), the immune system gradually learns, “this is safe, we don’t need to attack it.” Instead of triggering inflammation, the immune system becomes calmer and more regulated around that substance.
How does the oral tolerance-inducing effect of undenatured type-II collagen help dogs? Well, in dogs with arthritis, the problem isn’t just due to the wear-and-tear that comes with activity and age. There’s also immune-driven inflammation inside the joints because the immune system mistakenly begins to attack the dog’s own cartilage.
Since type-II collagen is a primary component of cartilage, it has a target on its proverbial back. However, if the body develops tolerance to type-II collagen due to repeated exposure to UC-II, the immune system is less likely to respond to the collagen in joints as a threat.
This is what happens. When a dog ingests UC-II, it travels to the small intestine and interacts with the immune tissues, called Peyer’s patches, that reside in the gut. Continued exposure of the Peyer’s patches to UC-II triggers the production of special white blood cells called T-regs (regulatory T-lymphocytes).
These T-reg cells help calm down the immune system’s response to type-II collagen. In turn, this may help protect cartilage health and improve joint comfort and mobility.
What are the benefits of UC-II for dogs?
Numerous studies have been conducted on the benefits of UC-II for humans, horses, dogs, and cats. Results show that UC-II provides significant benefit in many scenarios, including:
- Relieving joint pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis in dogs or other degenerative joint conditions
- Increasing mobility
- Decreasing joint stiffness
A study in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics looked at the efficacy and safety of UC-II in arthritic dogs. It found that after 90 days on the UC-II supplement, dogs exhibited decreased overall pain, decreased lameness after activity, and decreased pain on joint manipulation. While the sample size was small (15 dogs), this study investigated UC-II as the sole ingredient.
Additionally, a study published in Open Veterinary Journal included 110 dogs who took a combination product containing UC-II as well as Vitamin E and omega fatty acids for six months. In that study, veterinarians and dog parents reported that dogs on UC-II had lower pain, improved mobility, and decreased lameness.
Which dogs might benefit from a UC-II supplement?
A wide variety of dogs may benefit from UC-II supplements, ranging from an arthritic elderly Labrador to an athletic Border Collie who loves agility work.
Dogs with arthritis
As discussed, UC-II is a great addition to an already arthritic dog’s management plan. It can help improve comfort and mobility, which is huge for dogs who are struggling with the limitations of arthritis.
Dogs who have early signs of joint disease or arthritis
Subtle lameness after waking up from a nap, sitting with the legs in an unusual position, being reluctant to go up or down stairs, or other issues can all be early signs of joint problems. Starting these dogs on UC-II now could potentially help them remain more comfortable down the road.
Dogs with previously-diagnosed orthopedic issues
Hip dysplasia in dogs, luxating patella in dogs, torn ACL in dogs, and other orthopedic injuries make dogs more susceptible to arthritis as they age. Thus, protecting their joints with UC-II can be a great idea.
Breeds predisposed to joint disease
Typically, large and giant breed dogs tend to be more prone to joint problems and could therefore benefit from UC-II. Breeds in this category include German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, and Great Danes, just to name a few.
However, smaller breeds, such as Dachshunds, who are more susceptible to back issues like IVDD, are also good candidates for UC-II supplementation.
High energy working dogs
UC-II can provide joint support for Border Collies, Vizslas, German Shorthaired Pointers, and other high-energy working dogs.
Dogs who can’t take NSAIDs
Liver disease in dogs, kidney failure in dogs, GI side effects from the medication, or other situations may prevent dogs from taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). For those dogs, UC-II functions as a complementary therapy alongside other types of traditional pain medications.
How quickly does UC-II begin to work?
Dog parents usually see improvement in their dog’s symptoms within 2-4 weeks of starting the UC-II supplement. As long as the dog consistently takes UC-II on a daily basis, these effects typically persist. However, studies show that discontinuation of UC-II does lead to a return of pain and lameness in dogs.
How do I give my dog UC-II?
Undenatured type-II collagen is available as a liquid, powder, capsules, or a chewable joint supplement. And it is dosed once daily by mouth. Commercially available strengths include 10mg, 20mg, or 40mg, with exact dosing based on your dog’s weight.
Follow the recommended dosing on whichever product you purchase or ask your vet if no dosing guidelines are available.
What are the side effects of UC-II for dogs?
UC-II is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. And multiple studies have shown that UC-II is well-tolerated in both human and animal supplements. However, as with any ingredient, occasionally side effects can occur. They may include:
- GI side effects: As with any oral supplement, dogs who start taking UC-II may experience vomiting, diarrhea, or flatulence.
- Reduced appetite: Your dog may not eat as well initially. Typically, though, loss of appetite is transient.
- An allergic response in dogs with a previously diagnosed chicken allergy: Dogs who are allergic to chicken may exhibit indications of a more severe allergic reaction, including itchiness, hives, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing after consuming UC-II. Anaphylaxis can be fatal, so if your dog develops sudden or severe symptoms, contact your vet immediately or make an emergency vet visit.
Are there drugs that interact poorly with UC-II?
There are no specific drug interactions listed for UC-II for dogs. However, because UC-II relies on a functional immune system to work, your vet may recommend pausing the use of UC-II for your dog when on certain medications, including:
Immunosuppressive drugs
We know that UC-II works by helping the immune system learn to be less reactive toward joint cartilage. When a dog is taking medications that intentionally suppress the immune system (steroids like prednisone for dogs or other immunosuppressive agents like cyclosporine or azathioprine), that learning process may not happen properly. Thus, the UC-II supplement may not be effective.
Chemotherapy drugs
Chemotherapy drugs primarily target rapidly dividing cells, such as those in a tumor. But many also affect immune cells because immune cells divide quickly, too. Depending on the drug and protocol, chemotherapy can cause reduced T-cell activity and temporary immune suppression.
Since T-regs are the cells that help the immune system recognize type-II collagen as harmless, having fewer of them may interfere with oral tolerance to UC-II. Plus, suppressing the immune system makes it less able to learn that UC-II collagen is “friend”, not “foe”. Together, these effects of some chemotherapy drugs mean the UC-II supplement may not work as intended.
Are there dogs who should not take UC-II?
While UC-II is safe for most dogs, there are a few dogs where it might not be the best choice.
- As with any supplement or medication, UC-II should be used with caution in dogs during pregnancy and lactation.
- Dogs with previously diagnosed severe chicken allergies should not take UC-II since it is made from chicken sternum.
- UC-II is not intended to be a rescue treatment for dogs in acute or severe pain, especially in place of other traditional pain relief medications.
Do dogs taking UC-II require any veterinary monitoring?
Generally speaking, blood tests for dogs are not a necessary part of monitoring dogs who are taking a UC-II supplement. In the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics study mentioned earlier, dogs were dosed with UC-II at 1mg or 10mg/day for 90 days. Researchers determined there were no significant changes in liver or kidney function values on bloodwork monitoring during and 30 days after the study concluded.
However, it is a good idea to monitor your dog at home for signs of improvement. This can help you and your veterinary team assess whether UC-II seems to be the right choice for your dog.
How does UC-II work differently from glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate?
UC-II works by teaching your dog’s immune system to calm down and stop setting off an inflammatory reaction to joint cartilage. This is different from other common joint supplement ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which supply the building blocks for cartilage repair and provide cushioning to help joints stay strong.
Think about it like this: glucosamine and chondroitin provide the blocks to make a tower. And UC-II keeps the bully (the immune system) from knocking it down again. Both are important for creating a tower that lasts.
Can dogs take UC-II and glucosamine and chondroitin?
Glucosamine and chondroitin have different mechanisms of action than UC-II. Thus, dogs who need joint support can and do safely take them together.
How do you find a good UC-II supplement for your dog?
An easy way to find a good UC-II supplement for your dog is to consult your veterinarian. Additionally, if you’re doing your own searching, keep these guidelines in mind.
1. Look for the patented UC-II® form of undenatured type-II collagen listed on the label
Selecting a product that has “UC-II®” listed on the label is key to finding the best UC-II supplement for your dog. It means the formulation contains the patented UC-II product made by Lonza (UC-II®), which certifies that the collagen ingredient is undenatured type-II collagen.
2. Don’t confuse UC-II with other types of collagen
For joint benefits, the product needs to contain “UC-II®”, not just “collagen.” While other types of collagen still provide benefits for hair, skin, teeth, and connective tissues (like Types I and III), these types undergo hydrolysis. This means they’re broken down into smaller components.
Hydrolyzed collagen molecules may be easily absorbed in the gut. But they don’t provide oral tolerance and immune system training like UC-II does.
3. Decide if you want a combination product, and if so, which ingredients you want in it
Some UC-II joint supplements will also contain other ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, eggshell membrane, krill oil, astaxanthin, glucosamine, chondroitin, etc. These combination products can be a great way to approach joint support from multiple angles at the same time.
Thus, it can be helpful to pick a joint supplement that includes UC-II plus several of the other ingredients you and your vet think would be most helpful for your dog’s situation.
4. Use a dog-specific product
There are a variety of human UC-II products on the market. But it is best to select one formulated for dogs. This helps ensure that it provides accurate dosing guidelines on the package and is free from ingredients that could be safe for humans but dangerous for dogs.
Ask your vet if UC-II is right for your dog
UC-II has a unique mechanism of action in the body that makes it an excellent option for dogs with arthritis pain or other degenerative joint conditions. If your dog is suffering, speak with your veterinarian for guidance on whether UC-II, in combination with other pain medications or supplement ingredients, might be a good option to help relieve your four-legged friend’s discomfort.
Have you tried UC-II for your dog?
Please share your experiences below.
