01
Everyday mobility
Collagen peptides can form part of a broader mobility plan. They do not replace weight management, appropriate exercise, rehabilitation, pain relief or veterinary treatment.
Running, jumping and active play place normal demands on a pet's muscles, joints and connective tissues. As dogs and cats mature, changes in mobility, skin or coat may become more noticeable—but stiffness, reluctance to climb or jump, persistent scratching and excessive shedding can also signal a condition requiring veterinary assessment.
Choosing this health goal helps you explore simple, unflavoured collagen products as optional additions to a complete and balanced diet. Collagen is supplementary nutrition; it is not a treatment for hip dysplasia, arthritis, ligament injury, food allergy, digestive disease or a dermatological condition.
The science of hydrolysed collagen for pets
Collagen is one of the body's principal structural proteins and is naturally present in skin, tendons, ligaments, bone and cartilage. Hydrolysis breaks collagen into smaller peptides that are digested into amino acids and short peptides.
Hydrolysed collagen supplies a characteristic amino-acid profile, including glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. These nutrients participate in normal protein metabolism, but this biological role does not by itself prove that a supplement rebuilds cartilage, repairs ligaments or treats a pet's symptoms.
What canine studies tell us
Research in dogs is preliminary and product-specific. A trial of a diet containing hydrolysed collagen together with curcuminoids and green-tea extract reported changes in some subjective measures, but not in objective ground-reaction forces or osteoarthritis biomarkers.1 A recent veterinary review found inconsistent outcomes and no standardised dosing regimen.2
A 2026 clinical study summarised in a doctoral thesis found no significant difference between collagen hydrolysate and placebo after 12 weeks in dogs with osteoarthritis.3 Comparable clinical evidence in cats is currently sparse, so canine findings should not be assumed to apply to cats.
What supplementary nutrition can provide
- Collagen-derived amino acids: a supplementary protein source containing glycine, proline and hydroxyproline.
- Simple mealtime use: an unflavoured powder can be mixed into wet food or thoroughly stirred into kibble moistened with water.
- Ingredient transparency: single-source products make it easier to identify what is being added to a pet's normal diet.
- Joint-health research context: collagen hydrolysates are being studied in dogs, but benefits are not established for every product or animal.2-3
- Support alongside good care: appropriate weight, complete nutrition, suitable exercise and veterinary management remain the foundations of mobility, skin and coat health.4
Important evidence boundary
Current evidence does not establish that oral collagen treats itchy skin, reduces shedding, hardens claws, repairs a “leaky gut,” changes urinary pH or accelerates recovery from ligament injury in dogs or cats. Persistent symptoms should be investigated rather than masked with a supplement.
Supporting their daily journey
02
Connective-tissue nutrition
Provides amino acids found naturally in collagen-rich tissues without promising that a particular tendon, ligament or joint will be repaired.
03
Skin and coat context
A glossy coat depends on complete nutrition and overall health. Itching, flakes, bald patches or excessive shedding may reflect allergies, parasites, infection or another condition needing veterinary care.
04
Digestive wellbeing
Collagen is not a treatment for food sensitivity or digestive disease. Vomiting, diarrhoea, appetite change or weight loss should be assessed by a veterinarian.
05
Easy routine
Where veterinary use is appropriate, unflavoured powder can be mixed evenly through the pet's usual food. Introduce only according to professional or pet-specific label guidance.
Recommended products: Pet health
01
Bovine collagen
Onutricia Hydrolysed Bovine Collagen Peptides
Available formats: 500 g tub and 200 g pouch.
An unflavoured hydrolysed bovine-collagen powder providing collagen-derived amino acids. Verify the current pack for its full ingredient list, allergen information, composition and suitability for animal use before feeding.
Why consider it: a simple powder format that can be mixed into the pet's regular meal when a veterinarian agrees that supplementation is appropriate.
02
Marine collagen
Onutricia Marine Collagen — Unflavoured
A fish-derived source of hydrolysed Type I collagen peptides. A lower molecular weight describes peptide size; it should not be presented as proof of faster “dermal delivery,” itch relief or superior results in pets.
Important: do not use for a pet with a known or suspected fish allergy. Confirm the current pack's ingredients and veterinary suitability before use.
Serving and safety guidance
There is no universal, evidence-based collagen dose covering every dog and cat. Published veterinary research uses different ingredients and dosing methods, and current reviews identify the lack of standardised dosing as an evidence gap.2
Supplied by a veterinarian who knows the animal's weight, diet, and medical history. Collagen is not a complete protein and must not replace a complete and balanced food.
Refer to the table below for serving portion per weight and size: (Marine or Bovine)
Cats & Small Dogs (Under 10kg):
¼ to ½ teaspoon daily (2.5g)
Medium Dogs (10kg – 25kg):
1 level teaspoon daily (5g)
Large Dogs (25kg – 40kg+):
1 tablespoon daily (10g)
Speak to your veterinarian first
Seek veterinary guidance before use for puppies, kittens, pregnant or nursing animals, pets receiving medication, pets on a therapeutic diet, or animals with kidney, liver, pancreatic, urinary or gastrointestinal disease. Stop use and obtain advice if vomiting, diarrhoea, swelling, hives, breathing difficulty or another unexpected reaction occurs.
Scientific references
- Comblain F, Barthélémy N, Lefèbvre M, et al. A randomized, double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of a diet supplemented with curcuminoids extract, hydrolyzed collagen and green tea extract in owner's dogs with osteoarthritis. BMC Vet Res. 2017;13(1):395. doi:10.1186/s12917-017-1317-8.
- Blees NR, Teunissen M, Dobenecker B, Prawitt J, Tryfonidou MA, Corbee RJ. Collagen hydrolysates as nutritional support in canine osteoarthritis: a narrative review. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr. 2025;109(2):590-600. doi:10.1111/jpn.14076.
- Blees N. Collagen hydrolysates for dogs with osteoarthritis: bringing a food myth from bowl to the bench and back. Doctoral thesis. Utrecht University; 2026. doi:10.33540/1117.
- Cline MG, Burns KM, Coe JB, et al. 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2021;57(4):153-178. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7232.
Your health path
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| Product | Bone & Joint Health | Skin Health | Hair & Nails | Gut Health | Sports Nutrition & Recovery | Menopause & Perimenopause | Pregnancy & Breastfeeding | Pet Health This health path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Onutricia Collagen Powder (500g)
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Onutricia Vegan Collagen Capsules (60)
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Onutricia Pure Creatine Unflavoured (200 g)
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Onutricia Hydrolysed Collagen Powder (200g) Pouch
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Onutricia Marine Collagen (200g)
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Onutricia Collagen + Vit C Capsules (90)
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Onutricia Chocolate Collagen (200g)
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Onutricia Creamer Collagen (200g)
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