Dog Supplements
Many people give their dogs supplements to keep them healthy because they think of their pets like they were their kids. There are vitamins and minerals for pets and other animals just as there are for humans. Dogs, cats, cows, horses, goats, sheep, birds, and other animals need vitamins and minerals too. There are many foods and food supplements on the market for animals but some of them may not contain all of the needed nutrients the animals need to maintain a healthy body. It is best to discuss supplements with your vet before giving them to your pet. Some of them may not be good for your dog or pet. People supplements are not good for your pet. Dogs are not furry little people. Some dietary supplements are marketed to treat or prevent disease and this moves the supplement to the drug category when it is stated that it will prevent or cure something. The FDA and the AAFCO are considering the removal of animal supplements which have a label specifically for animals and which contain ingredients which are targeted by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). Some veterinarians feel that this is a governmental infringement on the ability of pet owners or vets to provide treatment for the animals. Some of the supplements in question are Tumor Aide, which is a natural remedy which experience has shown helps reduce tumors of all types. Pet Pectillin is for diarrhea for cats, dogs, and birds. Kidney-Stone is a treatment and prevention of kidney stones. It helps the body break down and excrete kidney stones and well as prevent suture stones from developing. Easy Pee is for bladder infections. Aller’G Free helps eliminate scratching, foot chewing, rubbing, fur pulling rashes, throat, eye, nose, and ear irritation. These supplements are recommended by veterinarians and should remain on the market but they may not just because the FDA and AAFCO believe they should not.
The FDA consider supplements to be considered somewhere between food and drugs. This may be because that is the only way they can take control of them. Supplements are made from all natural plants and herbs as well as ingredients such as fish oil and other animal products. They are not food and they are not drugs. The only way the FDA can control them are to gather enough information that they are a danger to man or animal and have them banned or discontinued. If the labels on the products claim that they are supplements and that they are a food supplement, the FDA can not control them. Maybe what the companies that manufacture the products can just change their labels. The ingredients should be on the labels but they should also be natural ingredients with no drugs or additives.
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