NZ Green Lipped Mussel for Pets

Scientific NamePerna canaliculus

Native ToNew Zealand

Harvested FromMarlborough Sounds & Banks Peninsula

Found InEvery FlexiPaw Formula

The Science

Not your average shellfish

Most joint supplements give a dog one isolated compound — glucosamine on its own, or a generic fish oil. Green-lipped mussel is different: it's a whole-food ingredient that naturally contains several of these compounds together, plus one fatty acid that's genuinely rare in nature.

That fatty acid is eicosatetraenoic acid, or ETA — an Omega-3 that isn't found in standard fish oil and is one of the most studied components of green-lipped mussel in animal nutrition research. Alongside ETA, Perna canaliculus naturally contains glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin, glucosamine, proteins, vitamins and minerals — the same building blocks found in healthy cartilage, occurring together in one ingredient rather than as a lab-blended mix.

Green-Lipped Mussel

Omega-3s, including the rare ETA
Glycosaminoglycans
Naturally occurring glucosamine & chondroitin
Proteins, vitamins and trace minerals

A whole-food ingredient — every compound above comes from one shellfish, in one freeze-dried complex.

Standard Fish Oil

Omega-3s — typically EPA & DHA
No glycosaminoglycans
No glucosamine or chondroitin

Useful for Omega-3 intake, but a narrower nutrient profile than whole green-lipped mussel.

Glucosamine Alone

One isolated compound
No Omega-3 fatty acids
Usually lab-synthesised, not whole-food derived

A single building block — green-lipped mussel naturally contains glucosamine plus several others alongside it.

New Zealand

Mussel Magic

Our green-lipped mussels are sourced directly from the pristine waters of Marlborough Sounds and Banks Peninsula in New Zealand.

Origin Story

From the Sounds to the bowl

Green-lipped mussel isn't an exotic import — it's about as Kiwi as an ingredient gets. Perna canaliculus is endemic to New Zealand and has been part of traditional Māori kaimoana (seafood) for generations, long before it became a global supplement ingredient.

Commercial mussel farming began in the Marlborough Sounds in the early 1970s, when farmers strung young mussel "spat" along ropes suspended in the clean, sheltered coastal water — a technique still used today. It grew into one of New Zealand's largest seafood exports. FlexiPaw sources its mussels from the Marlborough Sounds and Banks Peninsula, then takes a different path from most of the industry once they're harvested. Click through the steps below to see how.

1

Harvested

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Farmers string young mussel "spat" along ropes suspended in sheltered coastal water — a rope-culture technique pioneered in the Marlborough Sounds in the early 1970s and still used today. FlexiPaw sources from two of New Zealand's cleanest growing regions, the Marlborough Sounds and Banks Peninsula, under sustainable, ethically managed farming practices.

2

Freeze-Dried

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Most of the industry dries mussels into powder using heat, which is faster and cheaper — but can degrade delicate fatty acids in the process. FlexiPaw freeze-dries instead: moisture is removed at low temperature, which is gentler and is intended to better protect the mussel's natural nutrient profile on the way to becoming a finished ingredient.

3

Concentrated

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The freeze-dried mussel is refined into GlycOmega™-PLUS, FlexiPaw's New Zealand–made green-lipped mussel complex, developed after several years of research. Unlike single-compound extracts, it's "full-spectrum" — keeping the mussel's naturally occurring combination of Omega-3 ETA, glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin and glucosamine together, standardised for consistent quality batch to batch.

4

Across The Range

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GlycOmega™-PLUS is measured into every FlexiPaw dog product — all four chew formulas, our Joint Health Powder, and the standalone Green-Lipped Mussel Capsules. It's the one constant in the range; each formula then pairs it with different complementary ingredients suited to that formula's focus, whether that's joints, calm, gut health or an everyday multivitamin.

A captivating underwater scene showcasing New Zealand's vibrant marine life. Diverse fish species like snapper, bream, and wrasse thrive amidst lush kelp forests and rocky outcrops.

Good for pets and the planet.

Sustainably Sourced Green-Lipped Mussel

FlexiPaw is committed to sustainable and ethical farming practices, ensuring that our green-lipped mussels are farmed in an environmentally responsible manner.

Sustainability

FAQs

Green-lipped mussel, answered.

It's a widely used ingredient in dog supplements and generally well tolerated. As with any shellfish-derived ingredient, it's worth a quick check with your vet first if your dog has a known shellfish allergy or existing health condition.

Glucosamine-only supplements give your dog one isolated compound. Green-lipped mussel naturally contains glucosamine alongside Omega-3s (including the rare ETA), glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin — all from one whole-food source.

Yes. Many green-lipped mussel powders are heat-dried, which can degrade delicate nutrients. GlycOmega™-PLUS is freeze-dried instead, which is a gentler process intended to better preserve the mussel's natural nutrient profile.

Yes — FlexiPaw's Green-Lipped Mussel Capsules are formulated for both dogs and cats, alongside the ingredient's use across our dog chew formulas.

Each formula includes a measured amount of GlycOmega™-PLUS per dosage. Check the product label or packaging for the exact dosing and feeding guide for your dog's size.

The one ingredient in everything we make

Green-lipped mussel is the only ingredient that appears in every single FlexiPaw dog product, all four chews, our Joint Health Powder, and the standalone capsules. It's the common thread running through the whole range.