This story was first published in the July/August 2002 issue of FDA Consumer magazine, published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is information meant for consumers on issues the FDA sees in regard to dietary supplements for animals.
Dietary supplements for pets and other animals have been marketed for many years; some are sold legally and others are not.
Dietary supplements for animals, such as most vitamin and mineral products, are considered animal feeds. Ensuring that animal feeds are safe and properly labeled—a requirement of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act—is part of the responsibility of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM).