We all want our pets to live active, healthy lives. Toward that goal, more and more of us are buying nutritional supplements for our animal companions. There is no shortage of products available for joint health, good digestion, a healthy skin and coat, and many other common pet health issues. While having choices is a good thing, it can also make selecting the right pet supplement for dog or cat very confusing. The acronym ACCLAIM helps pet parents evaluate nutritional supplements and find the right one for their pet.
A – A Name Recognized in the Industry
A good first start is to make sure the company making the product is one with experience in the animal health industry. A company with name familiar for making dog toys or leashes will not have the same depth of animal nutrition knowledge as one that is focused on exclusively on pet health. For companies specifically dedicated to pet supplements and using best practices in manufacturing and marketing, you can go to the website of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) at www.nasc.cc.
C – Clinical Evidence
Does the company have clinical proof that the product actually works? This is a really important so that you are not relying on the marketing claims of the manufacturer instead of objective, factual proof. For example, Arenus used an advanced, clinically-tested ingredient NEM® in its latest joint supplement, STEADFAST® Canine. NEM® is a whole-food matrix of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids. The new ingredient has been extensively evaluated in both pre-clinical and clinical studies. Studies of NEM® in humans found people felt results in 7-10 days, compared to 6-8 weeks with glucosamine and chondroitin.
C – Content, Concentration
Read the product’s label and see what the active ingredients it contains. Then take a look at the amount of each one and compare products. Many don’t contain sufficient levels of active ingredients to be clinically effective. A good example of this is when joint supplements glucosamine and chondroitin are added to pet foods. After doing the math, it is clear that when fed recommended amounts the concentrations of these nutritional supplements are far below levels shown to support joint health.
L – Label Claims
Read the marketing claims carefully. Reputable companies won’t make outlandish claims. In fact, the National Animal Supplement Council monitors the marketing materials of the companies that display the NASC Quality Seal. Manufacturers that display the NASC Quality Seal are only stating claims that can be supported by evidence.
A – Administration
Administration refers to how the supplement is given. Does the product have clear directions about how much and how often to give to your dog or cat? Do the instructions make sense? The goal should be to give your pet just the right amount to be effective, so make sure the directions are clear.
I – Indentify
The product container or package should display a lot number, so that product can be identified in the event of a product recall or quality issue. A reputable company will have quality control systems in place and the ability to track every lot that is made. In fact, this is also a requirement for displaying the NASC Quality Seal.
M – Manufacturer Transparency
Finally, it is very important that pet parents be able to contact the company making any supplement they purchase and feed their pet. The product label should include a phone number and address. This is how consumers can ask questions, report problems, or otherwise find information about the supplement they are giving.
Arenus® is a growing division within Novus International, Inc., a worldwide industry leader dedicated to animal performance, health, and longevity. Arenus taps into the vets, nutritionists and other animal care professionals available through their parent company to develop safe and easy-to-use formulas that holistically support joint, digestive, skin & coat, and emotional health in pets. For more information about the company and its products, visit www.arenus.com.