Nutramax settles false advertising suit for $11.5M

Nutramax Laboratories agreed to a settlement of $11.5 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that the company misrepresented the benefits and efficacy of its Cosequin-branded dog supplements in advertisements and on product packaging.

The lawsuit alleges that Nutramax misled consumers through false advertising claims about its supplements, including that they enhance joint flexibility and mobility and restore joint health. These claims were allegedly incapable of being substantiated, in violation of the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act and other state-specific consumer protection laws.

The settlement received preliminary approval on February 2, 2026, from the court and covers all individuals residing in California who purchased any of the following products for personal use between May 3, 2016 and May 6, 2022¹:

• Cosequin DS Maximum Strength Chewable Tablets
• Cosequin DS Maximum Strength Plus MSM Chewable Tablets

• Cosequin Maximum Strength Plus MSM Chewable Tablets
• Cosequin With MSM Chewable Tablets
• Cosequin Maximum Strength Plus MSM Soft Chews
• Cosequin With MSM Soft Chews
• Cosequin DS Maximum Strength Plus MSM Soft Chews

For those who fit the class action criteria, members who submit a valid, timely claim form can receive up to $25 per Cosequin product purchased, for up to 6 products, with a maximum payout of up to $150.¹ Class members can submit a Cosequin settlement claim form online or download a PDF claim from the settlement website to print, fill out, and return by mail to the address of the settlement administrator, which is listed on the front page of the document.

The settlement agreement also reports that payments will be issued not per class member but per household. The agreement also states that, in the event of any valid claims exceeding the amount remaining in the net settlement fund after payment of attorney fees and the lead plaintiff service awards, the class members’ payments thereafter may be subject to a prorated reduction.¹

The agreement also notes that any money remaining after payments to all class members will be distributed as a cy pres award—a method of putting unawarded class action funds to good use²—to Valor Service Dogs. Class members can receive their payouts via check or electronic payment, but the agreement adds that all checks must be cashed out within 90 days of issuance before expiration.

Another part of the settlement is that Nutramax agreed to remove multiple statements from any future packaging of Cosequin, including “mobility, cartilage and joint health support,” “supports mobility for a healthy lifestyle,” and “use Cosequin to help your pet climb stairs, rise, and jump!” However, the agreement noted that it may continue to use the statement “joint health supplement” on the Cosequin products.

On August 13, 2026, a hearing will take place to determine whether to grant final approval of the class action lawsuit, and compensation will be distributed to class members only after final approval is granted and any appeals are resolved.

References

1. Bagdonas T. $11.5M Nutramax settlement ends litigation over allegedly falsely advertised Cosequin canine supplements. ClassAction.org. March 11, 2026. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://www.classaction.org/news/11.5m-nutramax-settlement-ends-litigation-over-allegedly-falsely-advertised-cosequin-canine-supplements
2. What is a cy pres award? ClassAction.org. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.classaction.org/learn/cy-pres