26/02/2026
Last week we have seen two products advertised on a major pet retailer website.
Quoting:
'Maintains good health and circulation; Traditional repellent against flea and worm infestation; Natural herbal conditioner.' and 'Help repel pests naturally with brewer’s yeast, garlic, coconut and flaxseed oils—supporting skin and coat health. UK-made, grain-free and vet-reviewed.'
If you make, advertise, sell or supply products intended for use in, on, or near animals in the UK — you must follow strict advertising and regulatory rules.
Yet every day online, we see adverts that:
❌ Use fear-based language
❌ Guilt owners into purchasing
❌ Promote anti-veterinary or anti-medicine rhetoric
❌ Make bold, medicinal-style claims
❌ Blur the line between supplements and licensed medicines
This includes products such as:
✅ Feeds and supplements
✅ Topical hygiene products
✅ Bedding and housing products
✅ Behavioural “calmers”
And no — being “natural” or herbal does not provide exemption from the rules.
In the UK, veterinary medicines must obtain a Marketing Authorisation (MA) from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). This involves rigorous assessment for:
• Safety
• Quality
• Efficacy
• Risk–benefit balance
Licensed medicines undergo strict regulatory scrutiny. Supplements, herbal products and nutraceuticals do not. That means they cannot legally make medicinal claims, either by presentation or function.
Even phrases like:
❌ “Used for centuries to treat…”
❌ “Helps protect against illness…”
❌ “Traditional repellent against fleas and worms…”
❌ “Prevention is better than cure…”
…can cross into medicinal territory if they imply disease treatment, prevention, or physiological alteration.
Example: Garlic & Health Claims.
Garlic is frequently marketed as:
-A natural dewormer
-A flea repellent
-An immune booster
-A circulation enhancer
However, there is no strong scientific evidence supporting garlic as an effective de-wormer or flea preventative in dogs. Research has also shown that garlic extract can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells. While not every case leads to clinical signs, garlic has documented potential to:
• Heinz body formation
• Eccentrocytes
• Reduced red cell counts
• Induce haemolysis
That means marketing it as a routine “internal cleanser” or parasite repellent is not only misleading — it may pose risk.
These regulations are not bureaucratic red tape.
They exist to:
✅ Prevent misinformation
✅ Protect animals from delayed treatment
✅ Protect owners from false hope
✅ Maintain trust in veterinary advice
✅ Ensure disease claims are evidence-based
Marketing is powerful.
Persuasive language works.
Fear works even better.
But when owners are led to believe that an unlicensed product can prevent, treat, or cure disease — animals may suffer. Many companies work responsibly and stay within their remit. And we fully support the use of evidence based supplementation. Multimodal management absolutely has a place in veterinary medicine:
✔ Evidence-based supplements
✔ Nutrition
✔ Environmental changes
✔ Behavioural support
✔ Lifestyle adaptations
The issue isn’t the existence of products, the issue is misleading claims. If a product claims to:
-Treat disease
-Prevent disease
-Cure illness
-Alter bodily systems
-Replace licensed medicine
It must be properly licensed.
Natural does not mean regulated, 'traditional' does not mean safe or evidence based. When it comes to animal health — evidence and regulation matter.
Read more:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/marketing-authorisations-for-veterinary-medicines
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/advertising-non-medicinal-veterinary-products
The Effect of the Type and Concentration of Garlic (Allium sativum) on Heinz Body Concentrations in Canine Erythrocytes—An In Vitro Study
Garlic is a popular food ingredient and natural remedy for people, but its use in dogs may not be safe. Many owners believe that garlic can protect their pets against parasites or improve their health, yet garlic also contains substances that may damage red blood cells. When red blood cells are harmed, they lose their ability to carry oxygen, which can lead to anemia. In this study, we wanted to find out whether fresh, dried, and granulated garlic can cause different levels of damage to dog red blood cells. We mixed garlic extracts with blood samples taken from healthy dogs during routine veterinary procedures. We then measured the amount of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen, and looked at the cells under a microscope to check for signs of damage. We found that all forms of garlic caused some harm to the red blood cells, but dried and granulated garlic were more damaging than fresh garlic. These results suggest that processing garlic may make it more harmful for dogs. Our findings highlight the need for caution when using garlic in pet diets and show that more research is needed to identify what level, if any, of garlic is safe in dog food and supplements.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/21/3188
Hematologic changes associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes after intragastric administration of garlic extract to dogs
Results: Compared with initial values, erythrocyte count, Hct, and hemoglobin concentration decreased to a minimum value on days 9 to 11 in dogs given garlic extract. Heinz body formation, an increase in erythrocyte-reduced glutathione concentration, and eccentrocytes were also detected in these dogs. However, no dog developed hemolytic anemia.
Conclusions and clinical relevance: The constituents of garlic have the potential to oxidize erythrocyte membranes and hemoglobin, inducing hemolysis associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes in dogs. Thus, foods containing garlic should not be fed to dogs. Eccentrocytosis appears to be a major diagnostic feature of garlic-induced hemolysis in dogs.
Lee KW, Yamato O, Tajima M, Kuraoka M, Omae S, Maede Y. Hematologic changes associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes after intragastric administration of garlic extract to dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2000 Nov;61(11):1446-50. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1446. PMID: 11108195.
Is Garlic Safe for Dogs? Separating Fact from Fiction
Given the scientific evidence, the risks of feeding garlic to dogs outweigh any potential benefits. While some holistic approaches advocate for small amounts, research suggests even low doses can lead to cumulative oxidative damage, increasing the risk of anemia.
Safer alternatives exist for immune support, flea prevention, and parasite control. Instead of garlic, consider veterinary-approved flea preventatives, probiotics, and a balanced diet tailored to your dog’s needs.
https://www.thecaninedietitian.co.uk/blog/is-garlic-safe-for-dogs-fact-vs-fiction
Can Dogs Eat Garlic? The Science Behind the Debate
Given the availability of safer alternatives for these benefits, most veterinary professionals do not recommend garlic for dogs. Even small amounts over time could lead to toxicity, making it an unnecessary risk.
https://www.thecaninecode.co.uk/blog/can-dogs-eat-garlic-the-science-behind-the-debate?
