askHELTIE HELTIEdog® Learn to read labels of dog supplements!

Learn to read labels of dog supplements!

Do you also find labels sometimes very unclear? Or do you find it difficult to figure out exactly what is in a product? We understand you completely, because it is a difficult thing with a lot of laws and regulations attached to it. In this blog, we want to tell you more about the labels of dog supplements.

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14 July '23 • 2 min reading time

Many obligations

Labels contain a lot of legal texts and must meet various requirements. The following is mandatory:

  • Brand name + product name

  • Mention "feed material" or "complementary feed"

  • Composition (and possibly additives)

  • Instructions for use

  • Analysis

  • Producer number + label responsible

Within all these chapters there are also obligations and specific wordings and enumerations must be made.

Difference between feed material and complementary feed

There are two types of internal supplements for dogs. There are feed materials and there are complementary feeds. The difference lies in the composition of a product. In the legislation, a distinction is made in ingredients. Some ingredients are a feed material, which have a nourishing value (for example magnesium oxide). Other ingredients are seen as additives (for example vitamins). Depending on how a product is composed, it falls under a feed material or a complementary feed.

Here are the differences:

  • Feed material: consists of 1 or more feed materials

  • Complementary feed: consists of at least 2 feed materials and 1 or more additives

But now comes the tricky part.. Many herbs fall under additives, but may not be specifically labeled as an herb and are then placed under the heading "aromatic" or "sensory" additives. This makes it impossible for the customer based on the ingredient list to see which herbs are actually in it and what the proportions are. In a complementary feed, there must always be 2 feed materials, but a quantity of 0.1% is enough. Based on ingredients, it may then appear that there are no substances that have medicinal properties, while in reality the product consists of 99.8% herbal extracts and 0.2% mandatory feed materials.

Read the texts carefully!

Because the ingredient list can be confusing, it is important to also read the texts carefully. This can indicate which herbs the supplement contains. The label texts give you more clarity about the composition of the product and therefore also about its functioning.

No link to conditions/diseases on label

It is forbidden to link a product to a condition or disease in animals. Therefore, on supplements you will see relatively vague texts that indicate what it can be used for. But you will not see that a respiratory product can be used for kennel cough. Or that a clove extract is anti-inflammatory. No claims can be made on supplements for animals!

Be selective and ask questions if necessary!

Unfortunately, a manufacturer is only allowed to provide very limited information on a label, which makes it very difficult for the consumer to make good choices. Of course, it is good that there are rules to prevent the dissemination of incorrect information and making false claims. As a customer, you can see based on the ingredients whether there are unnecessary fillers or an abundance of sugars/grains. But if you have questions about the composition of a product or if something is not quite clear to you, please contact us and we will be happy to help! A manufacturer will not disclose their exact formulation, but can always tell you which ingredients have been used and a good manufacturer is open about that.

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Questions? AskHELTIE!

Are you looking for advice about your dog or horse? Or do you want to know more about conditions or ingredients? Feel free to contact AskHELTIE, and we will be happy to assist you! .