Vet School 101 How to source safe supplements for your pets (and ACCLAIM for Dr. Nancy Kay)

Dr. Nancy Kay is a busy veterinary specialist, an internist who practices in Northern California. She writes books, lectures, sends out a regular email newsletter and keeps me updated on great topics I sometimes miss. That’s why I’m taking today’s post to play off her most recent thoughts on sourcing safe and effective supplements for your pets.

This has been a big topic for us veterinary types lately. Many of us have started practicing in ways that seek to limit drug use and other invasive interventions wherever we can. Consequently, we look to diet, exercise, behavior modification and other basics when we make recommendations for our sick and still-well patients alike.

Perhaps the most highly-trafficked of these emerging areas is the one defined by our use of nutritional supplements. Adding these “natural” ingredients seems like a no-brainer. After all, treating your pet with something as innocuous as a plant extract beats drug use or surgery, right?

Yes, that’s true for most of the veterinary-recommended supplements. But it bears noting that not all that’s natural bodes well for our pets. I mean, cocaine is natural, too, right? So is chocolate. And xylitol, the sugar substitute sourced from the birch tree. This one will sometimes kill your dog quicker than it takes you to get to the animal ER.

That’s why we need to stay on top of whatever it is we put into our pets. Here’s Dr. Kay’s way of doing that safely and effectively for supplements (from her newsletter, which you can sign up for here):

“We veterinarians are taught to use the ACCLAIM system (described below) to assess nutritional supplements. You too can use this system to make educated choices about these products for yourself and your four-legged loved ones.

A = A name you recognize. Choose an established company that provides educational materials for veterinarians and other consumers. Is it a company that is well established?

C = Clinical experience. Companies that support clinical research and have their products used in clinical trials that are published in peer-reviewed journals to which veterinarians have access are more likely to have a quality product.

C = Contents. All ingredients should be clearly indicated on the product label.

L = Label claims. Label claims that sound too good to be true likely are. Choose products with realistic label claims.

A = Administration recommendations. Dosing instructions should be accurate and easy to follow. It should be easy to calculate the amount of active ingredient administered per dose per day.

I = Identification of lot. A lot identification number indicates that a surveillance system exists to ensure product quality.

M = Manufacturer information. Basic company information should be clearly stated on the label including a website (that is up and running) or some other means of contacting customer support.”

Good stuff right? Consider it another stepping stone on my quest to bring you as many great new minds dishing out responsible pet care as possible. Wish there were more Dr. Kays out there.

So how about you? How do YOU select supplements?

July 21st, 2009

Add Comment51 Comments

Thank you for this post! Health and diet supplements are a major discussion topic in the Tripawd Discussion forums. Our Eating Healthy forum has many topics about various supplements others are using to help improve the quality of life of their canine cancer heroes.

We've started a topic with online sources for savings one pet health supplements, and we've linked to this post to help everyone make smart decisions about sourcing their supplements. Thanks again.

tripawds.com July 21st, 2009 11:48:34 AM

My goats wander around my backyard where I keep my 'treasure' cars, spare swamp coolers and other assorted industrial natural resources.

If you have a source for windshield wiper blades with B-1 or fan belts with selenium it would be helpful.... ;-)

Bob Jones July 21st, 2009 11:55:21 AM

There's one C missing: Country of origin. If it's from China, there's no reason to have any confidence that anything else the label says accurately reflects what's inside.

Lis July 21st, 2009 02:34:13 PM

I have some serious concerns that pet supplements have the same issues as human supplements/drugs. For example, my docs wanted me to cut out all sodium in my diet and then prescribed a drug that had quite a high sodium content. Huh? When ingredients are reduced to concentrated tablet form, one ends up with lots of sulfate, salt, and lots and lots other stuff, including preservatives, colors, flavors, fillers... I'm not saying not to use them just to be aware of the cumulative effect of these extra ingredients and not get "supplement happy".

PJBoosinger July 21st, 2009 04:49:49 PM

Dr. Khuly, you seem to have been found by blogspammers -- and not even the obscure Arabic-posting ones this time.

H. Houlahan July 21st, 2009 06:23:30 PM

Yeah, the Gold Coins is weird. Whatchagonnado? I try. They find me again.

Dr. Patty Khuly July 21st, 2009 09:05:10 PM

I am a firm believer that the minerals and nutrients a dog needs should come from the actual food the dog is eating. I try to feed all nutrients naturally before resorting to artificial supplements. Websites like USDA and NutritionData make calculating nutrient intake amounts really simple and easy to utilize in your dog's diet (and your own!).

For instance, joint supplements typically include glucosamine and chondroitin. Before resorting to a bottled supplement, attempt to provide it naturally. Glucosamine is found naturally in raw joint tissue. So if you are able to feed edible bone "joints", then you are already providing natural glucosamine. Chicken feet are great, as are other joint items such as chicken or turkey legs, backs, necks, etc.

I supplement my dogs with two things only - omega's and pre-&pro-biotics. The first I search for a human grade fresh caught single salmon oil or sardine/mackeral oil ingredient with ZERO soy content, just the fish oil and capsule gelatin.

The pre- and pro-bitoics I give in plain yogurt form (local health food store "super yogurt" that I eat myself in the fruit flavors).

Mass produced supplements and pill scare the bejeezus out of me, especially those with ingredients from countries we sadly have to question. If I can't do it naturally, I research the hell out of it before i feed it to myself or my dogs.

Jen July 23rd, 2009 12:15:13 PM

Thanks for this article Docter. Mengembalikan jati diri bangsa

khay November 8th, 2009 12:12:43 PM

<url="Ferrari'>http://www.longineswatches.org/Ferrari/">Ferrari watches</url><url="Franck'>http://www.longineswatches.org/Franck-Muller/">Franck Muller watches</url><url="Glashutte'>http://www.longineswatches.org/Glashutte/">Glashutte watches</url><url="Graham'>http://www.longineswatches.org/Graham/">Graham watches</url>

Tag Heuer watch for sale November 8th, 2009 01:32:24 PM

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. <a href="http://www.airjordancity.com">michael jordan shoes</a> Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. <a href="http://www.jordanshoes100.com">jordan shoes</a> Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. <a href="http://www.jordanshoes100.com">jordan shoes</a> Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. <a href="http://www.dunkshoes100.com">nike dunks</a> It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

jordan shoes November 9th, 2009 01:54:50 AM

As there are number of ways by which [url=http://www.chihaironline.com]chi flat iron[/url] your hair, but you will find using hair straightener easy. [url=http://www.mytopchi.com]chi hair tools[/url] Today something that no person will be without is his or her [url=http://www.mytopchi.com]chi hair straighteners[/url] .Since hair straightener has become an essential part of so it is wise to check that they are in good condition and do not need replacing if you have had your [url=http://www.chihaironline.com]chi flat irons[/url].

chi flat iron November 9th, 2009 01:55:47 AM

Breitling watches

Breitling watches November 9th, 2009 11:28:51 AM

Maurice Lacroix watches

Louis Vuitton watches November 9th, 2009 02:38:10 PM

ugg boots sale-Warm ugg boots for all the family remain at the heart of our collection,find your favorite UGGs from stunning designs-ugg boots uk. nike dunks-Strong grips,durable ankle support and very comfort.dunks sb are the most desirable skate shoes.Get your nike sb dunks Now!Free shipping. All kinds of adidas shoes On Sale.We hot sell the latest Adidas Shoes& cheap adidas shoes.The products are first-class quality, adidas shoes sale welcome you to purchase. UGG Boots sale uggs bailey button Classic Tall UGG Boots Classic Short UGG Boots nike dunk high buy bose headphones ghd straighteners ghd ugg boots UK & Classic UGG Boots-To ensure your toes are in heaven,ugg boots made by UGG Australia are your must-have boots.50-70% off.Free shipping. People to enjoy music, a need for a high-quality sound equipment to show the moving melody to enhance the music quality of life,It is the use of bose headphones.Now Bose in ear HEADPHONES for sale in hot,Let''s go to buy bose headphones.

UGGS November 10th, 2009 12:41:03 AM

[url=http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Submariner/]Rolex Submariner watches[/url][url=http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Yachtmaster/]replica Yachtmaster[/url][url=http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Day%20Date%20II/]Rolex Day-Date II watches[/url]

replica oris November 11th, 2009 08:54:21 AM

<a href="UGG'>http://www.uggcase.com/UGG-Matala-Sandal/">UGG Matala Sandal Genuine</a><a href="UGG'>http://www.uggcase.com/UGG-Skimmer/">UGG Skimmer Genuine</a><a href="UGG'>http://www.uggcase.com/UGG-Persephone-Sandal/">UGG Persephone Sandal Genuine</a><a href="UGG'>http://www.uggcase.com/UGG-Napoule-Sandal/">UGG Napoule Sandal Genuine</a>

UGG Gypsy Sandal on sale November 11th, 2009 08:55:02 AM

cheap UGG Layback Slipper

UGG Napoule Sandal Genuine November 11th, 2009 08:56:45 AM

Hublot watches

Hublot watches November 11th, 2009 01:02:26 PM

However mean your life is, tiffany jewelry meet it and live it do not shun it and call it hard names discount tiffany jewelry It is not so bad as you are.It looks poorest when you are richest.

tiffany jewelry November 12th, 2009 03:23:29 AM

<a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/U-boat/">replica U-boat</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Vacheron-Constantin/">replica Vacheron Constantin</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/">replica Rolex</a>

Vacheron November 12th, 2009 08:10:46 AM

<a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Air%20King/">replica Rolex Air-King</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Datejust%20II/">replica Rolex Datejust II</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/DateJust/">replica Rolex Datejust</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Submariner/">replica Rolex Submariner</a>

Submariner November 12th, 2009 08:11:23 AM

omega watches

omega watches November 12th, 2009 08:20:12 AM

http://www.uggcase.com/UGG-Gypsy-Sandal/

<a href="replica'>http://www.longineswatches.org/Hublot/">replica Hublot watches</a>

cheap UGG Gypsy Sandal November 12th, 2009 08:33:05 AM

cheap runescape gold,aion gold ,aion kina, aion money ,tibia gold,Guild Wars Ectos,guild wars gold available at<a href="http://www.gameotl.com /"> rs gold</a><a href="http://www.gameotl.com /"> runescape gold</a><a href="http://www.rs15min.com /"> rs gold</a><a href="http://www.rs15min.com /"> runescape gold</a><a href="http://www.18min.com /aion.php"> aion gold</a><a href="http://www.18min.com /aion.php"> aion kina</a><a href="http://www.18min.com /aion.php"> aion money</a>[url=http://www.gameotl.com ]rs gold[/url][url=http://www.gameotl.com ]runescape gold[/url][url=http://www.rs15min.com ]rs gold[/url][url=http://www.rs15min.com ]runescape gold[/url][url=http://www.18min.com ]aion gold[/url][url=http://www.18min.com ]aion kina[/url][url=http://www.18min.com ]aion money[/url]<a href="http://www.gamegoldmoney.com /guildwars.htm">Guild Wars Gold</a><a href="http://www.10minget.com /gw.htm"> Buy Guild Wars Gold </a><a href="http://www.guildwarsgoldmoney.com /"> Cheap Guild Wars Gold </a><a href="http://4gamefight.com /guildwars.htm">Guild Wars Ectos</a><a href="http://www.enjoygolds.com /guildwars.htm">gw golds</a><a href="http://www.18min.com /GW.php ">guild wars money</a><a href="http://www.gw100k.com /">gw golds</a>[url=http://www.gamegoldmoney.com/guildwars.htm]guild wars gold[/url][url=http://10minget.com/gw.htm ]Buy Guild Wars Gold[/url][url=http://www.guildwarsgoldmoney.com ]Cheap guild wars gold[/url][url=http://4gamefight.com/guildwars.htm ]Guild Wars Ectos[/url][url=http://www.enjoygolds.com/guildwars.htm ]gw golds[/url][url=http://www.18min.com/GW.php ]gw golds[/url][url=http://www.gw100k.com ]w golds[/url]low price with fast delivery. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

tibia-ad November 12th, 2009 09:52:09 AM

Patek Philippe watch for sale

Patek Philippe watch for sale November 12th, 2009 12:15:46 PM

<a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/">replica watch </a> <a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/A.Lange-&-Sohne/">replica A.Lange &Sohne</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Audemars-Piguet/">replica Audemars Piguet</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Bell-&-Ross/">replica Bell & Ross</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Breguet/">replica Breguet</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Breitling/">replica Breitling</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Burberry/">replica Burberry </a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Burberry/">replica Bvlgari </a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Cartier/">replica Cartier</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Cartier/">replica chopard</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Concord/">replica Concord</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Croum/">replica croum</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/DeWitt/">replica DeWitt</a>

Piguet November 12th, 2009 01:07:10 PM

Breitling November 12th, 2009 01:07:34 PM

<a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Graham/">replica Graham </a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Graham/">replica Hermes</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Hublot/">replica Hublot</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/IWC/">replica IWC</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Jaquet-droz/">replica Jaquet droz</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Lady-Watches/">replica Lady Watch</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Longines/">replica Longines </a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Louis-Vuitton/">replica Louis Vuitton</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Maurice-Lacroix/">replica Maurice Lacroix</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Montblanc/">replica Montblanc</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Movado/">replica movado</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Omega/">replica omega </a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Oris/">replica oris</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Panerai/">replica Panerai</a>

Louis Vuitton November 12th, 2009 01:07:57 PM

<a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Panerai/">replica Panerai</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Patek-Philippe/">replica Patek Philippe</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Piaget/">replica Piaget</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rado/">replica Rado</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Tag-Heuer/">replica Tag Heuer</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Tudor/">replica Tudor</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/U-boat/">replica U-boat</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Vacheron-Constantin/">replica Vacheron Constantin</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/">replica Rolex</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Air%20King/">replica Rolex Air-King</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Datejust%20II/">replica Rolex Datejust II</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/DateJust/">replica Rolex Datejust</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Submariner/">replica Rolex Submariner</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Yachtmaster/">replica Yachtmaster</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Day%20Date%20II/">replica Rolex Day-Date II</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Daytona/">replica Rolex Daytona</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Explorer/">replica Rolex Explorer </a>

U-boat November 12th, 2009 01:08:21 PM

<a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/GMT/">replica Rolex GMT</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Sea%20Dweller/">replica Rolex Sea-Dweller</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Day%20Date/">replica Rolex Day Date</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Masterpiece/">replica Rolex Masterpiece</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Rolex/Milgauss/">replica Rolex Milgauss</a><a href="rolex'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/">rolex replica</a> <a href="A.Lange'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/A.Lange-&-Sohne/">A.Lange & Sohne replica</a><a href="Audemars'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Audemars-Piguet/">Audemars Piguet replica</a><a href="Bell'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Bell-&-Ross/">Bell & Ross replica</a><a href="Breguet'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Breguet/">Breguet replica</a><a href="Breitling'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Breitling/">Breitling replica</a><a href="Burberry'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Burberry/">Burberry replica</a><a href="Bvlgari'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Burberry/">Bvlgari replica</a><a href="Cartier'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Cartier/">Cartier replica</a><a href="chopard'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Cartier/">chopard replica</a><a href="Concord'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Concord/">Concord replica</a>

Lange November 12th, 2009 01:09:35 PM

<a href="Franck'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Franck-Muller/">Franck Muller replica</a><a href="Glashutte'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Glashutte/">Glashutte replica</a><a href="Graham'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Graham/">Graham replica</a><a href="Hermes'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Graham/">Hermes replica</a><a href="Hublot'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Hublot/">Hublot replica</a><a href="IWC'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/IWC/">IWC replica</a><a href="Jaquet'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Jaquet-droz/">Jaquet droz replica</a><a href="Lady'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Lady-Watches/">Lady replica</a><a href="Longines'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Longines/">Longines replica</a><a href="Louis'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Louis-Vuitton/">Louis Vuitton replica</a><a href="Maurice'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Maurice-Lacroix/">Maurice Lacroix replica</a><a href="Montblanc'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Montblanc/">Montblanc replica</a><a href="movado'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Movado/">movado replica</a>

Muller November 12th, 2009 01:22:20 PM

chopard watch for sale

replica croum

DeWitt watch for sale

IWC replica November 12th, 2009 01:26:57 PM

However mean your life is, tiffany jewelrymeet it and live it do not shun it and call it hard discount tiffany jewelry unt tiffany jewelry It is not so bad as you are.It looks poorest when you are richest.

tiffany jewelry November 12th, 2009 06:56:47 PM

UGG Classic Cardy

Discount Uggs Boots On Sale

Ugg Classic Tall Boots

Ugg Boots Cheap

Ugg New Styles

ugg boots on lale November 13th, 2009 10:56:38 AM

fashion Tiffany Bracelets

fashion Tiffany Rings

fashion Tiffany Earrings

fashion Tiffany Necklaces

fashion Tiffany Sets

fashion Tiffany 1837

fashion Tiffany Bracelets November 13th, 2009 08:57:24 PM

A.Lange & Sohne watches

Audemars Piguet watches

Bell & Ross watches

Breguet watches

Breitling watches

Alain Silberstein watches November 15th, 2009 06:17:08 AM

replica Tiffany Pendants

Tiffany 1837 November 15th, 2009 10:24:32 AM

Tiffany Bracelets replic

Tiffany Rings replica November 15th, 2009 02:55:20 PM

Breitling watch for sale

Breguet watch for sale

Bell & Ross watch for sale

Audemars Piguet watch for sale

Alain Silberstein watch for sale

Burberry watch for sale November 15th, 2009 03:36:51 PM

Franck Muller watches

Glashutte watches November 17th, 2009 06:24:46 AM

Rolex Air-King watch for sale

Rolex Datejust II watch for sale

Rolex Datejust watches

Rolex Submariner watch for sale

Rolex Datejust II watch for sale November 17th, 2009 10:00:34 AM

<a href="Burberry'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Burberry/">Burberry watch for sale</a><a href="Bvlgari'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Bvlgari/">Bvlgari watch for sale</a><a href="Cartier'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Cartier/">Cartier watch for sale</a><a href="chopard'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Chopard/">chopard watch for sale</a><a href="Concord'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Concord/">Concord watch for sale</a><a href="croum'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Corum/">croum watch for sale</a>

Concord' November 17th, 2009 11:55:42 AM

<a href="Cartier'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Cartier/">Cartier watches</a><a href="chopard'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Chopard/">chopard watches</a><a href="Concord'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Concord/">Concord watches</a><a href="croum'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Corum/">croum watches</a><a href="DeWitt'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/DeWitt/">DeWitt watches</a><a href="Glashutte'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Glashutte/">Glashutte watches</a><a href="Graham'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Graham/">Graham watches</a><a href="Hermes'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Hermes/">Hermes watches</a>

chopard watches November 17th, 2009 03:08:56 PM

replica Piaget

replica Patek Philippe November 19th, 2009 10:18:56 AM