Animal & Veterinary
Frequently Asked Questions
Pet/Livestock's Health or Feeding
FDA CVM DOES NOT answer questions about specific animal or pet illnesses, or the use of any veterinary drug, feed, or other product. Questions regarding your animal's health and/or the specific use of any veterinary drug, feed, or other product should always be referred to your veterinarian.
Animal Drugs
How to get a new animal drug product approved
The veterinary drug approval process consists of a series of consultative procedures and reviews. See our Information and Requirements For New Animal Drug Approval page for the regulations, guidance documents, instructions and forms necessary for the submission of an application.
Why can’t I find any information on a drug called Abcxyz on your site?
There are several reasons why you might not find a certain drug on CVM’s Website.
- Misspelling — check the spelling of the drug’s name
- It’s a human drug and not a veterinary drug — go to the Center for Drug Evaluation and Review (CDER) for information on human drugs
- The drug has not been approved for use in the United States
Animal Food/Feed
Marketing a new pet food or pet treat
There is no requirement that pet food products have premarket approval by FDA. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act does require that pet foods, like human foods, be pure and wholesome, contain no harmful or deleterious substances, and be truthfully labeled. Information about marketing a pet food product may be found by reading our Information on Marketing a Pet Food Product flyer. For questions about pet food labels, Contact Association of American Feed Control Officials, Inc.
Vaccines for Animals
FDA CVM is not involved with vaccines for animals. Veterinary biologics (vaccines, bacterins, diagnostics, etc, which are used to prevent, treat, or diagnose animal diseases) are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Veterinary Biologics.
Resources
New Animal Drug Applications
Information on how to get a new animal drug approved.Animal Drugs @ FDA
Database of approved animal drugs.Drugs@FDA
Database of approved human drugs.Information on Marketing a Pet Food Product Association of American Feed Control Officials
Information on pet food labeling.Center for Veterinary Biologics
Information on vaccines for animals (they are not regulated by FDA).How FDA Regulates Veterinary Devices EPA Pesticides
Information on flea/tick medications.USDA/APHIS - Import and Export
Information on importing animal products.Questions and Answers on the Proper Use of Monensin in Dairy Cows
Contact FDA
Communications Staff (CVM)
Food and Drug Administration
7519 Standish Place
HFV-12
Rockville, MD 20855