If your dog struggles to rise from the floor each morning, or your cat has stopped jumping onto her favorite perch, a new clinical study offers genuine reason for hope. Researchers have published results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showing that a naturally derived supplement called palmitoylethanolamide, or PEA, meaningfully reduced joint pain in dogs and cats alike.
The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science in early 2026, enrolled 50 dogs and 50 cats all experiencing joint discomfort. Half of each group received a daily oral supplement of Levagen+, a branded, highly bioavailable form of PEA, while the rest received a placebo for six weeks. Owners tracked their pets' pain and function using standardized veterinary scoring tools at the start, then again at weeks two, four, and six.
The results for dogs were striking. By the end of the trial, 76 percent of dogs in the Levagen+ group were classified as successfully treated, compared with just 40 percent in the placebo group. Improvements were seen across multiple measures of pain severity and daily function, including walking, running, and getting up from rest.
Cats responded more modestly but still meaningfully. Owners in the supplement group reported significant improvements in tasks like jumping up and down, and pain scores were measurably lower at both week two and week six compared to the placebo cats.
PEA is a fatty acid compound that the body produces naturally. It works by modulating the endocannabinoid system and anti-inflammatory pathways shared across humans, dogs, and cats, which is partly why researchers expected effects to carry over from existing human joint-health research. Importantly, Levagen+ was well tolerated by both species throughout the trial, with no adverse effects reported.
Researchers and industry analysts caution that this is one study, and larger, longer-term trials are still needed to establish clinical benchmarks. But for pet parents exploring non-pharmaceutical options for aging companions, particularly those with dogs or cats who cannot tolerate long-term use of NSAIDs, this early evidence is a meaningful step forward.
Always consult your veterinarian before starting any new supplement, especially if your pet is on other medications.
Sources: Frontiers in Veterinary Science (original study) · NutritionInsight coverage · NutraIngredients coverage · Nutraceuticals World coverage