4CYTE is one of the most searched-for joint supplements in Australia, and the questions people ask about it are practical ones: which version, how much per day, and how long before you notice anything. This guide answers those from 4CYTE's own product pages and FAQ, covers the dog, cat and horse products we stock, and gives the dosing tables in one place so you can work out the right pack size before you buy.
What 4CYTE is
Every 4CYTE product is built around Epiitalis, which 4CYTE describes as a naturally derived plant seed oil extract. The maker's claim for the dog Forte gel is that it targets the pathological pathways associated with acute joint injury and treats osteoarthritis while actively maintaining and supporting joint health; for the granules, that they support joint health and mobility and help maintain healthy joints at any stage of life. Those are 4CYTE's words. What they translate to in practice is a once-daily feed additive, dosed by bodyweight, that is used both for dogs already showing stiffness and for older dogs whose owners want to stay ahead of it.
Gel or granules for a dog?
4CYTE makes two dog products and states the difference plainly:
- 4CYTE Epiitalis Forte for Dogs (50 mL, 100 mL, 200 mL): the gel contains a stronger concentration of Epiitalis than the granules. 4CYTE also points dogs with prior sensitivity to marine-based products, or with gastric sensitivity, toward the Forte gel.
- 4CYTE Canine Granules (50 g, 100 g): Epiitalis plus abalone, New Zealand green lipped mussel and marine cartilage, which 4CYTE includes for gut and coat health as well as joints. Added to food with the scoop supplied, and 4CYTE recommends introducing the granules slowly over several days.
A simple way to choose: a dog with a known seafood sensitivity or a delicate stomach goes on the gel; a dog that eats anything and whose owner wants the marine extras goes on the granules; a dog that needs the strongest Epiitalis dose per mL goes on the gel.
How much 4CYTE per day for a dog
Forte gel, once daily in feed, from 4CYTE's product page:
| Dog's weight | Daily volume |
|---|---|
| 1 to 10 kg | 0.5 mL |
| 10 to 20 kg | 1 mL |
| 20 to 30 kg | 1.5 mL |
| 30 to 40 kg | 2 mL |
| 40 to 50 kg | 2.5 mL |
| Over 50 kg | 3 mL |
Directions: shake well before each use, draw an accurate volume with the applicator supplied, then administer within feed.
Canine Granules, using the scoop supplied and added to food, from 4CYTE's product page:
| Dog's weight | Loading | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 kg | 1 scoop | half a scoop |
| 5 to 10 kg | 2 scoops | 1 scoop |
| 11 to 20 kg | 4 scoops | 2 scoops |
| 21 to 30 kg | 6 scoops | 3 scoops |
| Over 30 kg | 8 scoops | 4 scoops |
4CYTE's page gives the scoop amounts; the length of the loading period is on the pack, so follow the bag you have.
Which bottle size to buy
Multiply the daily volume by 30. A 12 kg dog on 1 mL a day uses 30 mL a month, so the 50 mL bottle with syringe lasts about seven weeks. A 35 kg dog on 2 mL a day uses 60 mL a month: the 100 mL is seven weeks and the 200 mL is just over three months, and it is the cheapest per millilitre. For granules, a 25 kg dog on 3 maintenance scoops a day gets through a bag faster than a small dog, so the 100 g is the sensible size for anything over 10 kg.
What to expect in the first month
4CYTE's dog Forte page says improvements within 7 to 14 days of commencing. Its FAQ is more measured: visible results vary from animal to animal, improvement may be seen in as little as a week, but it can take up to four weeks to see marked improvement. So judge it at four weeks, not four days, and keep the daily dose consistent through that period. 4CYTE backs the products with a guarantee on palatability and efficacy during the first 30 days when bought through a vet; that guarantee is the maker's and applies to vet purchases, so treat it as a sign of confidence rather than something we can offer on their behalf.
4CYTE for cats
4CYTE Epiitalis Forte Cat (50 mL with dosing syringe, 100 mL) is the cat-specific gel. 4CYTE's daily volume is 0.5 mL for cats under 5 kg and 1 mL for cats over 5 kg, given once daily with feed, and it notes the product is safe for cats that may be allergic to marine-based products. Cats are fussier than dogs about anything new in the bowl, and 4CYTE's FAQ says so: introduce it slowly, mixing it well into wet food, starting with a drop and working up to the full 0.5 to 1 mL over a week or two.
4CYTE for horses
4CYTE Epiitalis Forte Horse (250 mL, 1 L) is added to feed with the applicator supplied. 4CYTE's guide for a 600 kg horse is 8 mL a day for 14 days, then 4 mL a day for maintenance, and it states the 1 L pack lasts about 250 days at the maintenance volume. 4CYTE says the horse gel is safe for ponies and can be used alongside other medications and procedures used in joint care. 4CYTE Equine Granules (700 g) are the feed-additive version with added ingredients for gut and coat health.
Frequently asked questions
How much 4CYTE should I give my dog per day?
For the Forte gel: 0.5 mL under 10 kg, 1 mL for 10 to 20 kg, 1.5 mL for 20 to 30 kg, 2 mL for 30 to 40 kg, 2.5 mL for 40 to 50 kg and 3 mL over 50 kg, once a day in food. For the granules, use the scoop table above with the loading period on the pack.
Is the gel or the granules better?
Neither is better for every dog. 4CYTE states the gel has the stronger Epiitalis concentration and suits dogs with marine or gastric sensitivity; the granules add green lipped mussel, abalone and marine cartilage for gut and coat.
How long does 4CYTE take to work?
4CYTE quotes 7 to 14 days on the dog Forte page and up to four weeks for marked improvement in its FAQ. Give it a full month at the correct daily dose before deciding.
Do I need a prescription for 4CYTE?
No. It is sold as a daily feed supplement and does not need a prescription. If your dog is already on anti-inflammatories or has a diagnosed condition, tell your vet you are adding it.
Can I give 4CYTE with food?
That is how 4CYTE directs it: the gel is administered within feed, the granules are added to food with the scoop supplied, and for cats the maker suggests mixing it into wet food.
Does 4CYTE have side effects?
4CYTE's pages do not list side effects; the only cautions the maker gives are that dogs with marine or gastric sensitivity are better suited to the Forte gel than the granules, and that granules should be introduced slowly over several days. Any new supplement can upset a sensitive stomach at first, which is exactly why the slow introduction is recommended. Stop and see your vet if your pet reacts.
Shop next: the full 4CYTE range · Forte gel for dogs 200 mL · Canine granules 100 g · Forte gel for cats · Horse Health & Supplements
Sources
Product facts in this guide are taken from the manufacturers' own pages listed below and from the product listings on this site; general care points are given as practical guidance, not veterinary advice. Last reviewed 17 September 2026.
- 4CYTE: Epiitalis Forte for Dogs
- 4CYTE: Canine Granules
- 4CYTE: Epiitalis Forte Cat
- 4CYTE: Epiitalis Forte Horse
- 4CYTE: FAQ