Rose hip is one of nature's richest sources of vitamin C, and it's been used for joints for a very long time. This is the whole fruit, ground, and nothing else.
It supports healthy joints and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, and studies show rose hip can alleviate pain and improve daily activity levels. AniForte cite the peer-reviewed paper behind that on their own product page, which is not something every brand in this category is willing to do. What's doing the work is the vitamin C and its role in collagen synthesis, alongside the pectins, fruit acids, tannins and carotenoids in the fruit.
The other half of the job is the immune system. Rose hip is a true superfruit, rich in vitamins A, E, K, B1, B2, B3 and B6 as well as vitamin C, and that high vitamin C content is important for the body's defences and promotes good blood circulation.
It's a sensible thing to have in the cupboard going into the colder months.
Where rose hip powders differ is in how they're made and what's actually in the tub. AniForte grind theirs gently, keep a high husk content, and hold what they describe as an ideal ratio of pulp to kernel. They publish the vitamin C content at 0.22%, which is worth noting because a lot of rose hip powder is sold without any figure attached at all. The crude fibre runs at 38.1%, which tells you how much of the fruit is actually in there.
Dosing is simple. Two grams per 10kg of dog daily, a gram for a cat, and there's a 2g measuring spoon in the tub. It stirs into food and acceptance is high, which in plain terms means most dogs don't notice it.
It works well on its own and AniForte specifically recommend it alongside their joint supplements. If you're already giving green lipped mussel, this is the one they suggest pairing it with, and they've written up the reasoning behind the combination.
Why We Love It
- One of the richest natural sources of vitamin C, with the content published at 0.22%
- Supports healthy joints and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, with the peer-reviewed study cited on AniForte's own page
- Works on joints and immunity from the same tub
- Gently processed with a high husk content and an ideal pulp to kernel ratio
- 38.1% crude fibre, so you can see how much of the whole fruit is in there
- Rich in vitamins A, E, K and the B group as well as C, plus pectins and tannins
- 100% natural, with no artificial additives
- Mixes into food and most dogs take it without complaint
- Suits dogs and cats. Measuring spoon included
- AniForte recommend it alongside their green lipped mussel powder
How much to give, and how long a tub lasts
Two grams per 10kg of bodyweight daily for dogs. Cats have one gram. One level measuring spoon is 2g. Stir it into food.
| Your pet | Daily amount | 250g tub lasts | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat | 1g | About 8 months | About 5p |
| Dog up to 10kg | 2g (1 spoon) | About 4 months | About 10p |
| 20kg | 4g (2 spoons) | About 2 months | About 21p |
| 30kg | 6g (3 spoons) | About 6 weeks | About 31p |
| 40kg | 8g (4 spoons) | About 4 weeks | About 42p |
Cost per day at £12.99 for the 250g tub. Update if your pricing differs.
A note on the powder: store it somewhere cool and dry and keep it out of the light. That's on the pack and it matters more with a vitamin C product than most.
What makes one rose hip powder different from another
Rose hip powder ranges enormously in price, and from the front of the tub it all looks much the same. Four things usually explain the difference.
How much of the fruit is in there. Rose hip has a fleshy outer husk and seeds inside, and the two aren't equivalent. AniForte keep a high husk content and describe holding an ideal ratio of pulp to kernel. The crude fibre figure of 38.1% is the number that reflects it.
How it's processed. Heat and aggressive grinding are cheaper. AniForte process theirs gently, which is the whole reason for doing it slowly.
Whether the vitamin C content is published. AniForte's is 0.22%, printed on the composition. A great deal of rose hip powder is sold with no figure at all, which makes it impossible to compare.
What else is in the tub. This is rose hip and nothing else. No fillers, no artificial additives.
If a tub doesn't tell you these things, that's usually the reason it costs less.
Composition & specification
Composition: Rosehip shells fines (0.22% vitamin C)
Analytical constituents: Crude protein 5.9%, crude fibre 38.1%
Naturally contains: Vitamins A, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B6 and C, plus pectins, fruit acids, tannins and carotenoids
Free from: Artificial additives
Size stocked: 250g
Includes: Measuring spoon (1 spoon = 2g)
Suitable for: Dogs and cats
Feeding: 2g per 10kg of bodyweight daily for dogs. Cats 1g daily. Mixes easily into daily food.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light.
