Veterinary Health Products (VHP)/Pet Supplements

Veterinary Health Products (VHP) Regulatory Consulting — Canada

Veterinary Health Product Notification, Ingredient & Import Compliance Support

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.

What Are Veterinary Health Products (VHPs)?

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

Product Eligibility & Classification

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 & Formula Review

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

New Substance / Ingredient Submissions

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.

Importation Support for Veterinary Health Products

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.

Label & Claims Compliance

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.

👉 Book a VHP Regulatory Consultation

Our Veterinary Health Product Services

VHP Notification Preparation & Submission

  • Product classification review
  • Ingredient and claims assessment
  • Notification dossier preparation
  • Submission coordination under the VHP Notification Program

Product Formulation & Regulatory Assessment

  • Formula review for Canadian compliance
  • Ingredient suitability assessment
  • Product positioning and claim alignment

Label Compliance Review

  • Label and marketing claims assessment
  • Compliance-focused review for Canadian market entry
  • Marketplace readiness support

New Ingredient / Substance Database Support

  • Preparation of submissions for new ingredient consideration
  • Scientific and regulatory coordination
  • Documentation review and support

Importation & Market Entry 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 assist companies whose veterinary wellness products or pet supplements require regulatory alignment for Amazon Canada and other online marketplaces.

Regulatory Remediation Support

We support companies addressing:

  • Notification deficiencies
  • Marketplace restrictions
  • Compliance concerns
  • Product classification issues
  • Label and claim corrections

Who We Support

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.

👉 Book a VHP Regulatory Consultation

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.

Ready to Launch or Import Your Veterinary Health Product in Canada?

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.

👉 Book a VHP Regulatory Consultation

At GNHP Consulting, we can assist you to obtain Notification Numbers for your Veterinary Health Products. The services that we provide are

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Faq`s

Frequently Asked Questions
About Veterinary Health Products (VHPs) in Canada

Why Is Veterinary Health Product (VHP) Regulatory Compliance Important?

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.

What Is the Notification Program for Veterinary Health Products?

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.

Do I Need a Notification Number?

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.

I Sell on Amazon. Why Do I Need a Notification Number?

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.

What Is the VHP Notification Process?

The VHP notification process generally involves:

  1. Reviewing product ingredients against Health Canada's List of Permitted Substances.
  2. Assessing product claims for compliance.
  3. Verifying target animal species eligibility.
  4. Reviewing product labels and packaging.
  5. Identifying all manufacturing, packaging, labelling, and importing establishments.
  6. Preparing and submitting the notification package.
  7. Receiving a Notification Number from Health Canada.

A well-prepared submission can help avoid delays, requests for clarification, or rejection.

What Is the List of Permitted Substances?

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.

What Animal Species Are Included in the VHP Program?

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.

What Products Qualify as a Veterinary Health Product?

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.

What Claims Are Permitted?

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.

What Are the Labelling Rules?

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.

Do I Need to Renew My Notification Every Year?

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.

Are There Fees Associated with VHP Notifications?

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.

What Establishments Should Be Included in the VHP Application?

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.

Need Help Obtaining a Veterinary Health Product Notification Number?

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.