Unlock effective joint health support for companion animals

Joint discomfort is a growing concern for pet parents. With companion animals living longer and obesity becoming a more common concern, the prevalence of joint pain and chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA) is rising.

Research shows that 52% of dog owners observe some form of joint pain in their companion animals, highlighting the importance of proactive joint health support to keep a dog active and comfortable as they age.

Importance of undenatured type II collagen

For brands looking to stand out in this growing sector of the pet market, ingredient choice is key.

Collagen – particularly undenatured type II collagen – is emerging as a vital nutrient to support joint health and help brands elevate their pet joint health supplements.

Collagen is a vital protein found in both humans and animals, existing in several types. Type II collagen, in particular, plays a crucial role in joint health.

As the primary supporting collagen in articular cartilage, it makes up 90-95% of the collagen in the joint. So it’s an essential nutrient for promoting mobility and overall joint health.

Within the nutraceutical space, type II collagen is typically available in two forms: hydrolyzed collagen peptides or undenatured type II collagen.

To make hydrolyzed collagen, the protein is broken down into smaller fragments through a hydrolysis process. Undenatured type II collagen preserves the complete, native structure, enabling it to deliver effective joint health benefits at a significantly lower dose.

Science-backed ingredients provide manufacturers with the opportunity to create highly effective pet products.

For instance, Lonza’s UC-II^® undenatured type II collagen offers proven benefits for joint flexibility and mobility, supported by over two decades of brand-specific research and multiple studies in both humans and companion animals.

It has also been proven to provide joint and mobility benefits at a very low daily dose, without compromising on efficacy.

Science-backed joint support

Research shows that a daily dose of just 40 mg of UC-II undenatured type II collagen helps to support joint health and mobility in both healthy companion animals and those with OA.

Scientific studies have reported that this low dose can reduce – after 150 days – overall pain in OA dogs by up to 81%, and exercise-induced pain by up to 90%.

In healthy and active animals, this daily dose has been proven to support mobility. After 13 weeks of supplementation, dogs receiving the ingredient show reduced inflammatory markers, and less cartilage degeneration after long runs, compared to those receiving a placebo.

With such a low dose, manufacturers can create effective and convenient products that encourage compliance. UC-II undenatured type II collagen is formulation-friendly, allowing it to be easily incorporated into a variety of products, including treats and chews.

In an exploratory study of dogs with degenerative joint disease, owners reported improvements in joint comfort and mobility after administering chews containing 40 mg of UC-II undenatured type II collagen.

This efficacy at such low doses is enabled by UC-II^® undenatured type II collagen’s structure and unique mechanism of action.

Preserved structure for better impact

Unlike other forms of collagen on the market, Lonza’s UC-II undenatured type II collagen retains its 3-dimensional shape, which is key to collagen’s function for joint health.

It is developed using a proprietary, gentle manufacturing process that makes it resistant to breakdown from gastric acid and digestive enzymes, and therefore preserves its structure.

It is this structure that enables the unique action mechanism of the UC-II collagen, triggering the pet’s immune system to restore and build joint cartilage.

That process helps to promote optimal joint function, support a healthy inflammatory response, and preserve cartilage – ultimately translating to improved joint health and mobility for companion animals.

Helps companion animals keep up

With its proven joint health benefits and formulation flexibility, UC-II undenatured type II collagen offers exciting innovation opportunities for manufacturers.

From walking in the park and running round the garden, to jumping and playing fetch with their favorite toy – help companion animals keep up with their owners, with UC-II^® undenatured type II collagen.