Joint Chews for Bully Breeds and Rescue Dogs: Staffies, Pit Bulls, Bulldogs and Boxers

Who Is This Guide For?

Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Pit Bull types, American Bullies, English and French Bulldogs, Boxers, Bull Terriers, Mastiff crosses and every muscly, clownish, gentle-hearted dog who thinks they are a lap dog. They are also dogs I have shared my life with for over 35 years, and I have a soft spot for every one of them.

It is also for adopters. Many bull breeds end up in rescue, so their early history is often a mystery. That is exactly why a gentle start matters.

Who Should Wait

• Puppies under 3 months old.
• Dogs with a shellfish allergy, because the chews contain green lipped mussel.

Please see your vet first if your dog has a health condition or takes medication.

What Are SolaPup Hip & Joint Chews?

A soft, chicken free, bacon flavoured daily chew with nine natural actives, and no artificial flavouring or preservatives. Per serving (2 chews, 4 g):

A 9 oz jar holds about 120 chews. Made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility that is also GMP, NASC and SQF certified, with every batch third party lab tested. The ingredient list on your jar is the final word. Contains green lipped mussel (shellfish).

Why Bull Breeds Deserve Their Own Plan

Bull breeds are powerful, muscular dogs who play hard and put plenty of load through their joints. Short legs, wide chests and heavy frames all add up, and flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs overheat sooner, so exercise often happens in short, intense bursts.

When we looked at Amazon the bull breed searches were dominated by general all-breed joint products and a few breed-specific multivitamins. Very few spoke to bull breed owners directly, and almost none talked about rescues. We wanted to change that.

Why Rescue Dogs Need a Gentler Start

Rescue dogs often arrive with a mystery past, a stressed body and a sensitive system. Our Ruby, a rescue Boxer, came to us at nine months old so stressed that her pupils stayed wide open. It took three months of patience for them to react to light normally. Rescue dogs teach you that gentle, steady care beats everything.

Why SolaPup Exists

SolaPup began with Roxy, a French Mastiff rescued from a puppy mill with only hours to live. I have spent over 35 years rescuing large and bull breed dogs with health and behaviour issues, and every recommendation on this page comes from that lived experience.

When to Start With a Rescue or Bull Breed

• See your vet first, especially if your dog has a health condition or takes medication.
• Let them settle in. Rescue dogs need time, routine and calm before anything else.
• Start with half the daily amount for the first 2 to 3 days.
• Split the daily amount into a morning and an evening serving.
• Watch for increased urination. Younger dogs and dogs who have been spayed or neutered can be more sensitive to glucosamine and chondroitin. If you see it, go back to the previous amount.
• Be patient. Many owners notice changes in everyday movement within 2 to 4 weeks. Every dog is different.
• Puppies: from 3 months old, on a gentler plan. See our puppy guide.

Where to Start, Where to Buy and Where They Are Made

• Where to start: at home, in a calm routine, in the bowl or from your hand.
• Where to buy: solapup.com or Amazon.com
• Where they are made: in the USA, in an FDA-registered facility that is also GMP, NASC and SQF certified, with every batch third party lab tested.
• Where to keep the jar: lid on tight, stored as directed on the label, out of reach of your dog.
• Rescues and shelters: if you run a rescue, please get in touch through our contact page.

How Much and How to Give Them

This chart is for adult dogs. Puppies under 12 months, and young bully puppies in particular, follow our puppy plan.

How to Give Them

Give them whole, or crumble them into the bowl for fussy eaters or dogs with sensitive teeth. Each chew is about 5 ml of crumbs.

Everyday Habits That Help a Powerful Dog

• Keep them lean. Extra weight is extra load on every joint.
• Choose steady play over repeated hard landings and sharp turns on hard ground.
• Keep cool. Flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs overheat sooner, so exercise in the cooler hours.
• Add grip with rugs on slippery floors.

You can read more in our guide to why bull breeds get joint problems.

Which Breeds, Which Questions and Which Chew?

Which Breeds Is This For?

Staffies, American Staffordshire Terriers, Pit Bull types, American Bullies, English and French Bulldogs, Boxers, Bull Terriers and any bully mix.

Which Questions to Ask About Any Joint Chew for a Rescue

• Is it gentle enough to start slowly, and does the brand explain how?
• Are the amounts shown per chew, per serving or per day? (Ours are per 4 g serving, which is 2 chews.)
• Is it made in a registered, certified facility and independently tested?
• Is the flavour one my dog can have?

Which Dogs Should Check With a Vet First?

Any rescue with an unknown health history, dogs with allergies, dogs with kidney issues, and dogs on medication.

What Does It Cost Per Day?

At $39.99 a jar with about 120 chews, a Staffie or Boxer in the 31 to 60 lb range on 3 chews costs about $1.00 a day. A smaller bully on 2 chews is about $0.67 a day, and a big American Bully over 61 lbs on 4 chews is about $1.33.

Quick Answers

Are SolaPup chews made for bull breeds?

Yes, they were made with bull breeds, large breeds and active dogs in mind.

Can I give them to a newly adopted rescue dog?

Please see your vet first, let your dog settle in, and then start with half the daily amount for 2 to 3 days.

Can American Bully puppies have them?

Yes, from 3 months old, on a gentler puppy plan. See our puppy guide.

Are they chicken free?

Yes. Read more on our chicken free page.

Are they suitable for dogs with a shellfish allergy?

No. They contain green lipped mussel, which is shellfish.

My bully is over 90 lbs. How many chews?

Dogs of 61 lbs and over have 4 chews a day, including dogs over 90 lbs.

My dog has been spayed or neutered. Anything different?

Go especially slowly with increases, as neutered dogs can be more sensitive to glucosamine and chondroitin.

When will I notice a difference?

Many owners notice changes in everyday movement within 2 to 4 weeks of daily use. Every dog is different.

What if my dog does not like them?

Crumble them over the bowl, and remember our 30-Day Tail-Wag Guarantee.

More from SolaPup: Chicken free | Giant breeds | Large breed puppies | Active and working dogs

As always, check with your vet before starting any new product, especially for puppies or dogs with existing health conditions or on medication. SolaPup Hip & Joint Chews contain green lipped mussel (shellfish). Our products may be formulated with ingredients containing FDA recognised allergens, for example shellfish, soy and wheat, which may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals or pets. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.