The Risk of Trusting the Label Without the Science

As pet owners, one of the most unsettling concerns is the uncertainty about what is really in our pet’s food, treats, and supplements. With various recalls, even from well-established brands, it is challenging to determine the benefits they promote on the label.

While the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) provide strict oversight for pet food, there is a glaring gap in regulations for pet food supplements. So, what should the standards be? There is a critical element in this developing industry for which consumers must advocate transparency. Without clear, verifiable information on ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing practices, consumers may have difficulty trusting the safety and efficacy of these products. Transparency can play a vital role in protecting the well-being of our pets and creating a standard in the pet supplement space.

In the absence of regulations, it adds confusion for consumers about whether to trust the information provided on product packaging. The issue is further complicated by the introduction of novel ingredients, such as cannabidiols (CBD). While CBD in calming products, such as supplements and treats, is gaining popularity, it is quite surprising that the number of safety studies and studies determining appropriate dosing are sparse.

Consumers ask us, “Why is no one testing this?” It could be due to the cost and length of safety studies. It could also be due to CBD being already on the market despite the unknown risks of pets consuming it, or possibly because the supplement market has more relaxed regulations, and therefore, brands may not feel the need to test. There are over 3,000 CBD-related clinical trials in humans, according to the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Clinical Trials website, specifically studying its uses for anxiety, epilepsy, inflammation, and chronic pain.

In contrast, research in pets remains scarce—a few dozen studies. This is due to funding, ethical concerns, veterinary hesitation, lack of standardization of dosing, and limited demand. Research on animals remains an ethical concern since our pets cannot tell us how they feel compared to humans, so how do we know they aren’t being harmed? Not many owners want to volunteer their furry companions, and veterinarians are hesitant to recommend CBD due to lack of research.

Lacking long-term studies and regulatory oversight, feeding these types of products to your pets essentially turns them into test subjects. This puts your pets at risk on behalf of the brands. This is why transparency in the pet supplement space is critical.

Building Trust and Ensuring Safety

Labeling, sourcing, and the quality of ingredients further emphasize the importance of trust in the transparency of each brand. Pet owners need to feel confident that claims on a product’s packaging are supported by research and the formulation– from start to finish. Full transparency reassures consumers that the manufacturers and brands are not hiding anything. This can include statements regarding sourcing and additives.

Too Many Options

Another challenge pet owners face when choosing supplements is the vast number of options available. Determining which products best suit their pet’s needs can be challenging. Transparency is pivotal in mitigating this uncertainty by providing clear, detailed, and easily understandable product packaging information. For example, dosage recommendations for breeds and age groups can vary from product to product, which is confusing to the consumer.

Better regulations and standards can address these inconsistencies when choosing what products to purchase. However, little can be done until research has been thoroughly completed and can support a better understanding of safe and effective doses.

Quality Programs Matter

Given that the pet supplement industry isn’t as tightly regulated as the pet food industry, this is where the food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory (FSQAR) team can play a critical role. BSM Partners’ FSQAR service has extensive experience with auditing and ensuring the safety of products. They can review packaging claims and cross-reference AAFCO and other sources for these novel ingredients. They can also provide guidelines around proper sourcing and production processes by visiting facilities to ensure compliance. Additionally, BSM Partners’ Nutrition Services can provide the well-needed transparency in these products and can mitigate the risk of harmful or unapproved ingredients entering these supplements. With these two services, brands can have efficacious, safe, and well-documented supplements for pets.

Certain brands in the industry have established reputations as “trustworthy,” so having a supplement in their portfolio seems more enticing to the consumer. However, the key to maintaining this trust is continuing to take accountability measures with transparency through maintaining high-quality standards, regulatory checks, and clear labeling, to name a few.

Certified True, an emerging program BSM Partners is proud to support, reviews a brand’s products, taking them back to the manufacturers and ensuring accountability and transparency on ingredient sourcing and traceability, audits, third-party nutrient testing, feeding studies, and packaging claims. Think of this program as the stamp of excellence. This helps to ensure, from the start of production to the finished product, that what is said on the bag is actually in the bag.

Conclusion

As consumers, we have the power to shape the pet supplement industry by demanding transparency from the brands we trust. Investigating the brand’s product information more clearly, such as reviewing their website or packaging for quality, manufacturing, and sourcing or researching ingredients, can help us make more informed decisions about what pet supplements to purchase. Reaching out to these brands and asking the tough questions will put pressure on them the more it is done. Together, we can drive meaningful change in the industry if we hold brands accountable and refuse to settle. Let’s make transparency the standard, not the exception.

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About the Author

Paige Lanier is a Manager at BSM Partners where she supports the Special Services practice. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, she earned her bachelor's degree in food science and culinary arts. She enjoys hiking the trails and skiing the slopes in the mountains above her home in Denver, Colorado.