NOW Pets UC-II Collagen Advanced Joint Mobility and petnc Hip & Joint Soft Chews are both dog joint supplements, but their formulas and feeding approaches are quite different. NOW uses UC-II standardized chicken cartilage alongside glucosamine, MSM, and boswellia, while petnc relies on a more traditional glucosamine-and-chondroitin blend in a soft chew.
The better choice depends less on which ingredient list looks longer and more on your dog's size, dietary sensitivities, preferred serving form, and whether you want a UC-II-based formula or a conventional glucosamine/chondroitin formula.
Advertising disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Recommendations are editorially determined.
Quick Verdict
Choose NOW Pets UC-II if you specifically want a formula built around UC-II standardized chicken cartilage and prefer a compact chewable tablet with relatively few inactive ingredients. The current directions are for dogs only and use one to three tablets daily depending on body weight.
Choose petnc Hip & Joint Soft Chews if you prefer a liver-flavored soft chew with larger labeled amounts of glucosamine and added chondroitin. It also has separate initial and maintenance directions, which can reduce the number of chews used after the initial four-to-six-week period.
Neither product should be treated as a substitute for veterinary evaluation when a dog has persistent stiffness, limping, pain, reduced activity, or another change in mobility.
NOW Pets UC-II vs petnc Hip & Joint at a Glance
| Feature | NOW Pets UC-II | petnc Hip & Joint Soft Chews |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Dogs | Dogs |
| Package | 60 chewable tablets | 90 soft chews |
| Serving form | Chewable tablet | Soft chew |
| UC-II standardized chicken cartilage | 20 mg per tablet | Not listed |
| Glucosamine HCl | 100 mg per tablet | 250 mg per soft chew |
| Chondroitin sulfate | Not listed | 100 mg per soft chew |
| MSM | 100 mg per tablet | 25 mg per soft chew |
| Boswellia extract | 50 mg per tablet | Not listed |
| Hyaluronic acid | Not listed | 0.5 mg per soft chew |
| Other labeled actives | None beyond those above | Vitamin C, manganese, black pepper extract |
| Minimum age | No minimum age stated in the current directions reviewed | 18 weeks and older |
| Dosing approach | Daily, based on weight | Initial period followed by reduced maintenance dosing |
| Flavor and animal-derived ingredients | Fish powder, tuna flavor, chicken cartilage, shellfish-derived glucosamine | Liver meal, dried cheese, salmon oil, shellfish-derived glucosamine, porcine chondroitin |
| NASC Quality Seal | Listed | Listed |
The NASC Quality Seal relates to a supplier's participation in NASC quality standards. It should not be interpreted as proof that either formula is more effective, veterinarian-endorsed, or FDA-approved.
NOW Pets UC-II: What Is in the Formula?
Each 1-gram NOW Pets tablet provides:
- 100 mg glucosamine HCl from shellfish
- 100 mg MSM
- 50 mg boswellia extract
- 20 mg UC-II standardized chicken cartilage
The formula is designed around undenatured type II collagen supplied through the UC-II ingredient. It is important not to read the 20 mg standardized chicken cartilage listing as though it were directly interchangeable with the milligram amounts of glucosamine or MSM. These are different ingredients used in different ways.
The inactive ingredient list is relatively short: cellulose, cooked fish powder from pollock, Pacific whiting, cod, and hake, magnesium stearate, silica, stearic acid, and tuna flavor.
NOW Pets UC-II Directions
The manufacturer directs that the tablets can be given during or after mealtime:
- Dogs up to 30 pounds: 1 tablet daily
- Dogs 31 to 60 pounds: 2 tablets daily
- Dogs over 61 pounds: 3 tablets daily
The current product directions reviewed state that this formula is for dogs only. Older retail titles or listings may still contain dog-and-cat wording, so the current directions should take priority when deciding which species can receive the product.
Who May Prefer NOW Pets UC-II?
This is the more straightforward option for owners specifically shopping for a UC-II-based dog supplement. The weight-based directions also stay consistent from day to day, without a separate loading and maintenance schedule.
It is less suitable for dogs that need to avoid shellfish, chicken, or fish ingredients. Owners who prefer a soft, treat-like chew may also find the tablet format less convenient.
petnc Hip & Joint Soft Chews: What Is in the Formula?
Each 2-gram petnc soft chew provides:
- 250 mg glucosamine hydrochloride from shellfish
- 100 mg chondroitin sulfate from porcine sources
- 25 mg MSM
- 25 mg vitamin C
- 2.5 mg manganese
- 2.5 mg black pepper extract
- 0.5 mg hyaluronic acid
This is a broader traditional joint-supplement formula. Compared with one NOW tablet, one petnc soft chew contains more labeled glucosamine and adds chondroitin and hyaluronic acid, while NOW provides more MSM per unit and includes UC-II standardized chicken cartilage and boswellia.
Those milligram differences do not establish that one formula will work better. Ingredient identity, serving amount, dog size, and the complete formula all matter, and the two products are not dose-for-dose equivalents.
petnc Directions
petnc is labeled for dogs 18 weeks and older. The manufacturer recommends an initial administration period of four to six weeks, with lower maintenance amounts once consistent improvement is noticeable.
| Dog Weight | Initial Amount | Maintenance Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 lb | 1 soft chew daily | 1 every other day |
| 21-40 lb | 2 daily | 1 daily |
| 41-80 lb | 4 daily | 2 daily |
| Over 80 lb | 6 daily | 3 daily |
The maintenance level may also be used for long-term support in healthy dogs according to the label.
Price and Serving Cost
Price checked on August 10, 2026 for the United States. Price and availability may change.
The 90-count petnc Hip & Joint Soft Chews were listed at $9.99 on iHerb U.S. At that price, one soft chew costs about $0.11. For a dog up to 20 pounds receiving one chew daily during the initial period, the labeled daily serving therefore costs about $0.11. Actual daily cost changes substantially for larger dogs because the directions call for more chews.
A directly verifiable current U.S. iHerb price was not available for the NOW Pets product during this comparison, so a serving-cost estimate for NOW is omitted rather than using a price from another market or retailer.
Which Has the Simpler Ingredient List?
NOW Pets has the shorter overall ingredient list. That can be useful when an owner wants fewer secondary ingredients, although it does not automatically make the supplement better or more appropriate.
petnc's soft-chew base contains ingredients including brewer's dried yeast, canola oil, dried cheese, liver meal, natural flavors, salmon oil, soy lecithin, soy protein, sunflower oil, vegetable glycerin, and other processing or preservation ingredients.
Dogs with food sensitivities deserve extra attention here. NOW includes shellfish-derived glucosamine, multiple fish ingredients, tuna flavor, and chicken cartilage. petnc includes shellfish-derived glucosamine, porcine chondroitin, cheese, liver meal, salmon oil, soy ingredients, and yeast.
Which Is Easier for Large Dogs?
NOW may be more convenient when pill count is the priority. A dog over 61 pounds receives three tablets daily according to its label.
With petnc, a dog over 80 pounds receives six soft chews daily during the initial four-to-six-week period and three daily at maintenance. That makes the 90-count jar last about 15 days during the initial period or 30 days at the three-chew maintenance level for a dog in that weight category.
For a smaller dog, the difference is less dramatic. A dog up to 20 pounds receives one petnc soft chew daily initially, while a dog up to 30 pounds receives one NOW tablet daily.
Important Safety Differences
Both labels recommend veterinary involvement and caution that safe use in pregnant animals or animals intended for breeding has not been proven. Both also direct owners to administer the product with or after food to reduce the chance of gastrointestinal upset.
petnc carries additional cautions. Its label directs owners to consult a veterinarian before use in animals with clotting disorders, animals receiving anticoagulant medication, dogs with diabetes or another metabolic disorder causing high blood sugar, dogs with a history of urinary tract stones, or dogs with known shellfish allergies.
NOW also contains shellfish-derived glucosamine, so a known shellfish sensitivity is relevant when discussing that product with your veterinarian as well.
If a dog's condition worsens or does not improve, the labels direct owners to stop administration and consult a veterinarian. Joint supplements are intended to support normal joint health and mobility; they should not be used to self-treat unexplained pain, lameness, or suspected orthopedic disease.
What About Dogs Already Eating Complete Dog Food?
A complete and balanced dog food already supplies essential nutrients at levels intended for the dog's life stage. Adding supplements is not automatically beneficial, and combining several joint, multivitamin, mineral, or fortified products can create unnecessary nutrient overlap.
This is especially relevant with petnc because it contributes vitamin C and manganese in addition to its joint-focused ingredients. Review all supplements and fortified treats your dog receives rather than evaluating each product in isolation.
Veterinary guidance is particularly important for puppies, senior dogs, pregnant or breeding animals, dogs with chronic health problems, and dogs taking prescription medication.
Which One Should You Buy?
NOW Pets UC-II is the better fit for a UC-II-focused comparison. It combines UC-II standardized chicken cartilage with glucosamine, MSM, and boswellia in a relatively compact tablet formula. Its dosing schedule is also simple, with one to three tablets daily depending on weight.
petnc Hip & Joint Soft Chews are the better fit for owners who specifically want a traditional glucosamine-and-chondroitin soft chew. The formula supplies 250 mg glucosamine and 100 mg chondroitin per chew, and the maintenance schedule can reduce consumption after the initial period.
Neither deserves a universal "best" label. A small dog that readily eats tablets has different practical needs from an 85-pound dog that prefers soft chews, and ingredient sensitivities may rule out either formula before the active ingredients are even compared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NOW Pets UC-II contain glucosamine?
Yes. Each tablet lists 100 mg of glucosamine HCl from shellfish, along with 100 mg MSM, 50 mg boswellia extract, and 20 mg UC-II standardized chicken cartilage.
Does petnc contain UC-II?
No UC-II ingredient is listed in the current petnc Hip & Joint Soft Chews product facts. Its principal joint ingredients are glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and hyaluronic acid.
Can cats take NOW Pets UC-II?
The current manufacturer directions and current iHerb suggested-use information reviewed for this 60-tablet formula state that it is for dogs only. Do not give it to a cat based on older dog-and-cat wording that may remain in some retail titles.
How old does a dog need to be for petnc Hip & Joint Soft Chews?
The current label states that the product is for dogs 18 weeks of age and older.
Can I give both supplements together?
Do not combine joint supplements simply to obtain more ingredients. These formulas overlap in glucosamine and MSM, and total exposure rises further with weight-based dosing. Ask your veterinarian to review the combined ingredient amounts, your dog's diet, medical history, and any medications before stacking products.
Are these products FDA-approved?
No claim should be made that these pet supplements are FDA-approved animal drugs. They are sold as animal health supplements and are intended to support normal health rather than diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Final Recommendation
For a dog owner specifically interested in UC-II standardized chicken cartilage and a shorter ingredient list, NOW Pets UC-II is the more targeted choice. For someone who wants a liver-flavored soft chew built around glucosamine plus chondroitin and prefers a reduced maintenance schedule, petnc Hip & Joint Soft Chews are the more natural match.
Check the current package label before use because formulas and directions can change. Persistent mobility changes, pain, swelling, limping, or difficulty rising deserve veterinary assessment rather than relying on a supplement alone.