Veterinary Health Products (VHP)/Pet Supplements
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Veterinary Health Products (VHP) Regulatory Consulting — Canada
Veterinary Health Products (VHPs) are low-risk products intended to maintain or promote the health and wellness of companion animals and livestock. In Canada, eligible VHPs may be marketed through Health Canada’s Veterinary Health Product Notification Program.
GNHP Consulting provides comprehensive regulatory support for companies developing, importing, marketing, or distributing Veterinary Health Products in Canada. Our services include VHP Notifications, ingredient and claims review, formulation assessment, label compliance, importation support, and submissions for new substances/ingredients to be considered for inclusion in the VHP ingredient database.
We support both Canadian and international companies navigating the Canadian veterinary health product regulatory framework with clarity and strategic direction.
Veterinary Health Products are low-risk substances used to maintain or support animal health and wellness. These products may include:
- Vitamins and minerals
- Herbal and botanical preparations
- Probiotics
- Traditional remedies
- Nutritional and wellness supplements for animals
VHPs are commonly marketed to:
- Maintain general health
- Support normal physiological functions
- Promote wellness in companion animals and livestock
Products that do not qualify under the VHP framework may require alternative regulatory pathways.
Proper classification is essential before market entry.
Canadian VHP Regulatory Requirements
To qualify under the Veterinary Health Product Notification Program, products must:
- Contain permitted low-risk ingredients
- Use compliant low-risk claims
- Meet Health Canada VHP requirements
- Align with permitted dosage and species considerations
Incorrect classification or unsupported claims may result in notification rejection or regulatory concerns.
Ingredient suitability is one of the most important aspects of VHP compliance.
- We assess:
- Ingredient acceptability
- Dosage levels
- Product formulation
- Intended species
- Claim suitability
- Regulatory alignment with the VHP framework
If your product contains ingredients that are not currently included in the Veterinary Health Product ingredient database, GNHP Consulting can assist with the preparation and submission of requests for new substances or ingredients to be reviewed for inclusion.
Services include:
- Ingredient assessment and regulatory review
- Supporting documentation preparation
- Coordination of scientific and technical information
- Submission support for database consideration
This service is particularly valuable for innovative or internationally developed veterinary wellness products entering the Canadian market.
Companies importing Veterinary Health Products into Canada must ensure that products, labels, ingredients, and claims align with Canadian regulatory expectations.
We assist importers with:
- Product classification and regulatory pathway assessment
- Import readiness review
- Label and claims compliance
- Notification preparation and submission
- Marketplace and distribution compliance support
We help international companies navigate Canadian requirements before product launch or distribution.
Labels must align with Canadian VHP expectations, including:
- Permitted claims
- Proper ingredient disclosure
- Appropriate risk statements and cautions
- Bilingual labeling considerations where applicable
Label inconsistencies are a common cause of notification deficiencies and marketplace issues.
Our Veterinary Health Product Services
- Product classification review
- Ingredient and claims assessment
- Notification dossier preparation
- Submission coordination under the VHP Notification Program
- Formula review for Canadian compliance
- Ingredient suitability assessment
- Product positioning and claim alignment
- Label and marketing claims assessment
- Compliance-focused review for Canadian market entry
- Marketplace readiness support
- Preparation of submissions for new ingredient consideration
- Scientific and regulatory coordination
- Documentation review and support
- Regulatory support for imported Veterinary Health Products
- Canadian market entry guidance
- Cross-border compliance alignment
- Distribution and marketplace readiness support
Amazon Canada & Marketplace Compliance
We support companies addressing:
- Notification deficiencies
- Marketplace restrictions
- Compliance concerns
- Product classification issues
- Label and claim corrections
We work with:
- Veterinary wellness brands
- Pet supplement companies
- International VHP manufacturers
- Canadian importers and distributors
- Amazon and e-commerce sellers
- Companies introducing innovative ingredients into the Canadian market
Whether you are preparing a new VHP notification, importing products into Canada, or seeking ingredient database inclusion, we provide practical regulatory guidance tailored to your product and pathway.
Why GNHP Consulting
Clients choose GNHP Consulting for:
- Expertise in Canadian Veterinary Health Product regulatory pathways
- Structured notification preparation and compliance review
- Practical ingredient and claims assessment
- Importation and marketplace compliance support
- Guidance for new ingredient database submissions
- Strategic support for Canadian market entry and remediation
We focus on helping companies achieve compliant, sustainable, and efficient market access.
Navigating the Canadian VHP framework requires careful attention to classification, ingredient suitability, labeling, and regulatory compliance.
GNHP Consulting provides focused regulatory support to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Begin Your Compliance Journey With Us Today
At GNHP Consulting, we can assist you to obtain Notification Numbers for your Veterinary Health Products. The services that we provide are
- VHP Notification Number applications and regulatory submissions
- Product classification and eligibility assessment
- Review of formulations, ingredients, and product information
- Label and claim review for compliance with Canadian requirements
- Preparation and submission of VHP notifications to Health Canada
- Support with Health Canada regulatory questions and follow-up
- Guidance on VHP regulatory compliance and post-notification requirements
Whether you are a Canadian company developing a new veterinary product or an international manufacturer looking to enter the Canadian market, GNHP Consulting can help simplify the VHP notification and regulatory compliance process.
VHP Product Label Review
Product labels must meet Canadian regulatory requirements before Veterinary Health Products are marketed in Canada. At GNHP Consulting, we review VHP labels to help ensure that required information, product claims, ingredients, directions for use, and other label elements are consistent with Health Canada requirements.
Our VHP label review services can help identify potential compliance issues before submission or commercialization, reducing the risk of delays and regulatory concerns.
We can review labels for:
- Required product and manufacturer information
- Ingredient and formulation information
- Recommended use and directions
- Cautionary statements and other required information
- Product claims and representations
- Label consistency with the VHP Notification
- Overall compliance with applicable Health Canada VHP requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
About Veterinary Health Products (VHPs) in Canada
Regulatory compliance helps ensure that veterinary health products sold in Canada are safe, appropriately labelled, and supported by acceptable evidence. Compliance also protects manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and pet owners by reducing the risk of enforcement actions, product removals, and marketplace restrictions.
Many retailers, distributors, and online marketplaces increasingly require proof that a veterinary product has been properly notified through Health Canada's Veterinary Health Product Notification Program.
Obtaining a Notification Number demonstrates that your product has been reviewed according to Health Canada's VHP requirements and can help build credibility with consumers and business partners.
GNHP Consulting helps companies navigate VHP regulatory requirements efficiently and confidently.
The Veterinary Health Product (VHP) Notification Program is administered by Health Canada's Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD).
The program allows companies to market eligible low-risk veterinary health products after submitting a notification and receiving a Notification Number (NN).
Unlike veterinary drugs, VHPs do not undergo a full pre-market approval process. Instead, companies notify Health Canada that their product meets the requirements of the VHP Program, including the use of ingredients found on the List of Permitted Substances.
The program was created to improve access to low-risk products that support the health and well-being of animals.
Yes.
Most Veterinary Health Products sold in Canada require a valid Notification Number (NN) before they can be legally marketed.
The Notification Number confirms that the product has been accepted into Health Canada's VHP Notification Program and must appear on the product label.
Without a Notification Number, your product may face importation issues, retailer rejection, marketplace restrictions, or regulatory enforcement actions.
Online marketplaces increasingly require proof that regulated products comply with applicable Canadian regulations.
For Veterinary Health Products, a valid Notification Number helps demonstrate that your product is authorized for sale in Canada.
Amazon and other e-commerce platforms may request evidence of regulatory compliance, product authorization, or labelling compliance before allowing products to remain listed.
Obtaining a Notification Number helps reduce the risk of listing removals, account issues, or customer complaints regarding regulatory status.
GNHP Consulting regularly assists Amazon sellers and international brands entering the Canadian marketplace.
The VHP notification process generally involves:
- Reviewing product ingredients against Health Canada's List of Permitted Substances.
- Assessing product claims for compliance.
- Verifying target animal species eligibility.
- Reviewing product labels and packaging.
- Identifying all manufacturing, packaging, labelling, and importing establishments.
- Preparing and submitting the notification package.
- Receiving a Notification Number from Health Canada.
A well-prepared submission can help avoid delays, requests for clarification, or rejection.
The List of Permitted Substances (LoPS) is a Health Canada database of ingredients that may be used in Veterinary Health Products.
Each permitted substance includes conditions such as:
- Acceptable animal species
- Permitted claims
- Route of administration
- Maximum daily doses
- Required cautionary statements
Products containing ingredients not included on the List of Permitted Substances generally cannot be notified until the ingredient has been successfully added to the list.
GNHP Consulting assists companies with LoPS assessments and applications for new ingredient additions.
The VHP Program currently includes a wide range of animal species, including:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Horses
- Cattle
- Dairy cattle
- Beef cattle
- Poultry
- Swine
- Sheep
- Goats
- Fish and aquaculture species
- Other food-producing and companion animals
Eligibility depends on the specific ingredient and claim listed within the List of Permitted Substances.
Veterinary Health Products are low-risk substances intended to maintain or promote animal health.
Examples may include:
- Vitamins and minerals
- Probiotics
- Botanical ingredients
- Certain traditional medicines
- Oral health products
- Digestive support products
- Skin and coat support products
- Calming and behavioural support products
Products intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent serious diseases generally fall outside the VHP Program and may be regulated as veterinary drugs.
Permitted claims must be supported by the conditions outlined in the List of Permitted Substances.
Examples may include claims related to:
- Maintaining general health
- Supporting digestive health
- Supporting skin and coat health
- Maintaining oral health
- Supporting normal immune function
- Supporting joint health
Disease treatment, cure, prevention, or therapeutic drug-like claims are generally not permitted within the VHP Program.
Claim wording must be carefully reviewed to ensure compliance.
VHP labels must comply with Health Canada requirements and generally include:
- Product name
- Notification Number (NN)
- Ingredients
- Recommended use
- Directions for use
- Cautions and warnings
- Target species
- Lot number
- Company information
Labels must accurately reflect the information submitted to Health Canada.
Improper labelling is one of the most common reasons notifications require revisions.
GNHP Consulting provides comprehensive VHP label reviews and compliance assessments.
No.
Notification Numbers do not require annual renewal.
However, companies must maintain compliance with Health Canada requirements and notify Health Canada of certain changes that may affect the original notification.
Significant formulation, ingredient, claim, or labelling changes may require a new notification.
Yes, fees are associated with Veterinary Health Product (VHP) notifications submitted to Health Canada.
Key Fee Details
- Cost Recovery: Health Canada charges a cost-recovery fee for all new VHP notifications and for changes to already-notified VHPs that require a new Notification Number (NN).
- Fee Amount: The base fees can vary and are subject to an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. Exact current amounts are listed on the Fees for Drugs for Veterinary Use Only directory.
- Payment Conditions: Fees are invoiced by Health Canada once the verification of your notification is complete, and they apply regardless of whether the notification is approved or rejected.
- No Annual Renewal: There are no required annual renewal fees for an already-approved VHP notification.
There are Small Business Reductions
Qualifying small businesses are eligible for fee mitigations, which include a 50% reduction on applicable notification fees and a one-time fee waiver for your very first submission.
In addition, businesses should budget for:
- Regulatory consulting
- Ingredient assessments
- Label reviews
- Scientific evaluations
- Compliance support
- Translation and packaging updates
Investing in proper regulatory preparation can significantly reduce costly delays and resubmissions.
All establishments involved in the product supply chain should be identified in the notification, including:
- Manufacturers
- Contract manufacturers
- Packagers
- Labellers
- Importers
- Distributors, where applicable
- Testing laboratories
Providing complete and accurate establishment information helps ensure a smooth review process and reduces the likelihood of requests for additional information.
Whether you are launching a new pet supplement, importing products into Canada, selling on Amazon, or assessing ingredient eligibility, GNHP Consulting can help you navigate Health Canada's Veterinary Health Product requirements.
Our team provides end-to-end support for ingredient assessments, label compliance reviews, Notification Number applications, and regulatory strategy for both Canadian and international companies.
Contact GNHP Consulting today to discuss your Veterinary Health Product project.
