Not All Collagen is Created Equal
What Every Pet Owner Should Know Before Buying a Collagen Supplement
Walk into any pet store or spend five minutes scrolling social media and you'll quickly discover that collagen is everywhere.
Powders. Chews. Capsules. Liquids.
Every company claims their collagen is the answer for stiff joints, aging dogs, and improved mobility.
When I started my collagen journey three years ago, I thought collagen was collagen. If one product said 'collagen' and another did too, I assumed they were essentially interchangeable. The more I dug into the research, the more I realized that isn't true.
Not all collagen is the same.
In fact, two collagen supplements sitting side by side on the shelf may work in completely different ways.
As a veterinarian who focuses on mobility, chiropractic care, nutrition, and healthy aging, I spend a lot of time helping owners choose supplements that actually make sense for their individual pet.
But before we talk about my favorite collagen supplement, let's first understand what collagen actually is.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It provides strength, structure, and flexibility to tissues throughout the body, including the skin, joints, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bones.
Collagen also helps maintain healthy connective tissue and contributes to the smooth movement of joints.
Without adequate collagen, our bodies simply don't move as well.
Why Do We Lose Collagen?
Our bodies and our pets’ bodies naturally produce collagen from the proteins we/they eat. Unfortunately, collagen production gradually slows as with age.
Over time this may contribute to:
Stiffer joints
Less flexible tendons and ligaments
Reduced cartilage support
Drier skin
Loss of skin elasticity
For both people and our pets, this gradual decline is simply part of aging.
One way to help support healthy connective tissue is by providing additional collagen through supplementation.
There Isn't Just One Kind of Collagen
This is where things become confusing. There are actually at least 5 different types of collagen, but three account for the vast majority found in the body.
Type I Collagen
Type I collagen makes up approximately 90% of the collagen in the body.
It provides strength and structure to:
Skin
Bones
Tendons
Teeth
Connective tissue
If your goal is healthier skin or stronger connective tissue, Type I collagen plays a major role.
Type II Collagen
Type II collagen is found primarily in cartilage.
Instead of providing rigid strength, it creates a smooth, resilient cushion that allows joints to move comfortably.
When we talk about arthritis or aging joints, we're usually talking about tissues that used to be rich in Type II collagen.
Type III Collagen
Type III collagen helps support muscles, blood vessels, and many internal organs.
It often works alongside Type I collagen throughout the body.
Where Does Collagen Come From?
Different collagen supplements come from different animal sources.
Bovine (Cow)
Rich in Types I and III collagen. Most commonly used to support
skin,
connective tissue, and
muscle health.
Marine (Fish)
Primarily Type I collagen. Known for excellent absorption and commonly used to support
skin and
connective tissue
Poultry (Chicken)
Naturally rich in Type II collagen. This makes chicken cartilage one of the most popular sources for
joint-support supplements
Here's Where It Gets Confusing
Many owners assume that if two products both say "collagen," they must work the same way. They don’t!
In fact, this is where products like UC-II® and Liquid BioCell™ begin to separate.
Although both originate from chicken cartilage, they are processed very differently and are designed to accomplish different goals. One preserves the collagen in its native structure, while the other hydrolyzes it into smaller peptides and naturally includes hyaluronic acid and chondroitin.
Hydrolyzed vs. Undenatured Collagen
Think of these as two completely different tools in your toolbox.
UC-II® (Undenatured Type II Collagen)
UC-II keeps the collagen in its natural triple-helix structure.
Rather than acting as a building material, it works through a process called oral tolerance, helping influence the immune system's response to joint cartilage.
Think of it as helping calm an overactive response.
Liquid BioCell™
Liquid BioCell™ takes a completely different approach.
Instead of preserving the collagen intact, it hydrolyzes the collagen into smaller peptides that serve as nutritional building blocks.
It also naturally provides:
Hydrolyzed Type II collagen
Hyaluronic acid (natural joint lubricant)
Chondroitin sulfate (reduces joint pain)
These three components are derived from the same cartilage matrix and are intended to support cartilage structure, connective tissue, and joint lubrication.
Unlike many traditional joint supplements that rely primarily on glucosamine and chondroitin, Liquid BioCell focuses on providing hydrolyzed collagen peptides while also naturally supplying hyaluronic acid and chondroitin from the same cartilage matrix.
My House Analogy
Imagine your house has been damaged.
UC-II helps convince everyone to stop causing additional damage.
Liquid BioCell shows up with lumber, drywall, nails, and skilled workers ready to repair the house.
They're not competing. They're simply doing different jobs.
Why I Personally Recommend Liquid BioCell™ So Often
When I'm recommending a collagen supplement, I'm usually working with senior pets that have more than one issue.
They're stiff.
They're slowing down.
Their connective tissues are aging.
Sometimes their skin and coat are changing too.
I like that Liquid BioCell provides more than collagen alone.
Its unique combination of
hydrolyzed collagen peptides,
hyaluronic acid, and
chondroitin sulfate
supports several aspects of healthy connective tissue in a single supplement.
That broader approach fits well with how I practice medicine because I try to support the entire patient.
Does That Mean UC-II Is Bad?
Absolutely not.
UC-II has good research behind it and can be an excellent option for certain dogs.
It's simply designed to do something different.
One isn't universally "better" than the other.
They're different tools for different situations.
My Take
Whenever someone asks me,
"What's the best collagen supplement?" I tell them they're asking the wrong question.
The better question is: What are you trying to accomplish?
If your goal is immune-mediated support of joint cartilage, UC-II may be a good fit.
If your goal is providing structural support for aging joints and connective tissues with the added benefit of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin, Liquid BioCell is the product I reach for most often.
As always, the best supplement is the one that matches your pet's needs, not the latest trend on social media.
Before You Buy Any Collagen Supplement
Ask yourself:
What type of collagen does it contain?
Is it hydrolyzed or undenatured?
What is it designed to do?
Does it contain anything besides collagen?
Is there research supporting the finished product—not just the ingredient?
That reminds me, here is a BioCell study that shows its beneficial effects in Labrador Retrievers: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9512092/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMf7kJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBtMk82d0JtQ1ZNT0dYQ2lsAR6xB4Z5a6e3NvgN-nLmc0sR0dyUH_QZDx7WBTwCDUIW1YfSlEqBiXuTmy5x5Q_aem_57Kka-7PIMlSRBT3VV_L6Q
by Heike Jung, DVM, cAVCA, cIACH
Veterinarian • Animal Chiropractor • Homeopath
Dr. Heike's Tip
If your dog has a mild chicken sensitivity but would benefit from collagen support, I don't automatically rule out Liquid BioCell™. Because the collagen is hydrolyzed, many sensitive dogs tolerate it well. I still recommend introducing it gradually and monitoring for itching, digestive upset, or ear flare-ups during the first two weeks.
For dogs with a confirmed or severe chicken allergy, I choose a completely chicken-free joint supplement.
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