If your pet requires any nutritional supplements, how could you make sure that they are effective and safe?
This is the same question asked in respect of human nutritional supplements and as they are approved by the government agencies it does not obviously mean that they are really safe for a person.
Unfortunately, the same is true for both natural dog supplements and natural cat supplements. However, there are several major differences while considering safely factors:
- Perhaps the main concern arises from the fact that even the best dog and cat supplements have not been tested adequately. And today very little information could be found in this field.
- Just three nutrients (garlic, lutein and evening primrose oil) are mentioned in the scientific papers and only in regards of horses, cats and dogs.
- Resent studies have shown that certain supplements that are safe for humans could not be safe for animals.
- It has been quite challenging to study natural cat supplements and natural dog supplements since there is no system in place to evaluate them. There has to be a way to quantify dosages, active components as well as side effects.
- There is little if any regulations in animal supplement manufacturing industry.
- This is quite challenging to evaluate the more subjective aspects of a certain product. In plain words, it is impossible to ask a dog whether it feels more energetic or whether it sleeps better.
- There have been no studies run to identify any patterns of improvement or change in any area, except for obvious changes like coat condition. However, such changes still cannot be claimed to be as significant without controlled study groups to evaluate.
While there were performed several inadequate studies of natural dog supplements and natural cat supplements by government agencies, a lot of different studies weer conducted by independent researchers. But, they have been criticized as unscientific by the scientific community and the majority of the same concerns as listed above apply.




