Senior Norwich Terrier won't take joint chews

Three brands tried and refused — that's genuinely frustrating, especially when you can see your dog slowing down and you know they need support. Joint health in older dogs is about more than supplements anyway: what works for a 10-year-old Labrador is different from what works for a 12-year-old Dachshund, and combining the right supplement with a good bed and a sensible routine often matters more than any single product. But let's sort the supplement problem first, because at 13 a Norwich Terrier really does benefit from consistent daily support. Can you tell me what the three chews were, roughly — and what's the main thing you're noticing with him or her day to day?

Got it — Pippa's a classic case where the chew format itself is the problem, not the ingredients. Some dogs, particularly small terriers, are just suspicious of anything that smells medicinal or has that supplement-y coating, and no amount of hiding it in food helps because they're clever enough to eat around it. The good news is that YuMove actually make a powder version — YuMove Joint Care Advance — that's a different product from the chew you tried. You just sprinkle it over food, it has very little smell, and it disappears into whatever she's eating. Has she always been a fussy eater, or mainly just resistant to these chews specifically?

That's actually really helpful to know, because it means the powder approach has a strong chance of working. The YuMove Joint Care Advance powder has a much more neutral profile than the chews — far less of that yeasty, supplement smell that puts dogs like Pippa off. You'd just stir a small scoop into her wet food or over kibble with a little warm water, and for most dogs it genuinely disappears. It contains glucosamine, green-lipped mussel, and hyaluronic acid, which is a solid combination for stiffness on rising and reduced mobility on stairs — exactly what you're describing. At her age and size, you'd use the smaller dose and you should start noticing a difference within four to six weeks. It's available on Amazon UK, and the tub lasts a decent while for a small dog. I'd also think about her sleeping surface — a memory foam orthopaedic bed makes a real difference to that morning stiffness alongside the supplement, but let's get the supplement sorted first.

It's genuinely a different product — YuMove position it as their more advanced formula. The active ingredient levels are higher than in the standard chews, and it includes hyaluronic acid which the basic chew doesn't. So you're not just getting the same thing in a different format; for a 13-year-old with noticeable stiffness, it's arguably the better choice anyway. The powder is the one I'd go for: YuMove Joint Care Advance for Dogs, sprinkled over food once a day. That's your clearest next step with Pippa.

Exactly right to change the approach rather than just trying another version of the same thing she's already rejected. Give it six weeks consistently and you should see her moving more freely in the mornings. If you want to come back and talk through the bed situation or whether there's anything else worth adding at that point, feel free — hope Pippa feels a lot better soon.