Virbac and MapMyWalk Launch GPS-Tracked Challenges to Promote Canine Mobility Supplements

Virbac has launched a co-branded walking program with the MapMyWalk fitness app, tying GPS-tracked dog walks to discounts on the company's joint and muscle supplements, according to Vet Candy's August 30 report on the August 28 release. The "Keep Moving Activation" runs as two timed challenges, both free through the MapMyWalk app or website. For owners of senior dogs, the underlying message — keep aging dogs moving — is sound. The execution is a product promotion, not a clinical protocol.

Challenge parameters

• Dog Days of Summer: August 28 – September 27, 2026. Ten logged walking, running, or hiking sessions with the dog. Five milestones inside the app. Four completed sessions unlock a 30% discount on URSOLYX Soft Chews for Dogs, positioned by Virbac as a muscle health supplement.
• Fall Flex: October 13 – November 12, 2026. Same ten-activity structure. Discount on MOVOFLEX Advanced Soft Chews, the company's joint support product.

The reward triggers on activity count. No gait quality, load distribution, or compensatory movement data is captured by the app. For a dog with existing joint compromise, step volume alone is an inadequate measure of safe exercise dose.

What the supplements are, per Virbac

URSOLYX is described as built around ursolic acid. Virbac states the compound inhibits mRNA expression changes associated with muscle atrophy. MOVOFLEX is described as a seven-ingredient joint blend including eggshell membrane, Boswellia serrata extract, krill, and a form of astaxanthin. The release cites Mark Champ, Virbac's VP of Marketing, on the partnership's value. Independent clinical verification of these specific claims is not part of the materials provided.

Virbac also states that more than half of dogs aged seven and older experience muscle atrophy along with joint and muscle changes affecting quality of life. The figure originates with the company.

Safety parameters before enrolling

• Vet clearance first: confirm the dog is cleared for the planned activity volume. Ten outings over 30 days is a baseline, not a prescription. Real walks vary in terrain, duration, and intensity.
• Current medications and joint status: chews marketed for mobility support do not substitute for a clinical mobility exam, imaging, or an existing pain management plan.
• Dose to the dog, not the app: structure walk length and surface to the individual dog's joint status. Senior dogs require controlled load, low-impact surfaces, and thermal regulation considerations — not a rigid milestone schedule.
• Ingredient review: read the full panel. Seven-component blends carry different interaction profiles per dog. Boswellia, krill, and astaxanthin have separate contraindications worth checking.
• Discount as side benefit only: MapMyWalk reports more than 90 million users and tracks GPS routes. It does not assess canine gait, paw strike, or weight-bearing symmetry.

This is a co-branded marketing activation with a legitimate wellness message attached. The walking advice is reasonable. The supplement claims are the company's own framing, and the release itself should be read accordingly.