How to Read a Supplement Label and a COA

Why the paperwork is worth a look

Most of us glance at the front of a package and move on. With a supplement for your dog, it pays to slow down and read the rest. The label and the testing paperwork behind it are where a company shows its work.

You do not need a lab background to make sense of either one. You just need to know where to look and what a reasonable answer sounds like. This guide keeps things general on purpose, so you can apply it to any product you are considering.

The label, section by section

A well-made label is organized and easy to scan. Here is what you can expect to find on most of them:

• Product name and format: what it is called and what form it comes in, such as a flavored tablet.
• Ingredient list: everything in the product, not just the highlights.
• Key peptides: some makers, SlowChew among them, name the peptides on the label, such as BPC-157 or KPV. Names are all you should expect there; see The peptides in SlowChew for the full list.
• Serving guide: how much to give, usually by your dog's weight.
• Storage directions: how to keep the product, such as cool, dry, and sealed.
• Company details: who makes or distributes it, and how to reach them.
• Batch or lot number and date: a code tying your container to one production run.

If any of these are missing, make a note. A gap is not always a deal-breaker, but it is a good question to raise with the seller.

What a batch or lot number is

A supplement is made in production runs. Each run is called a batch, or a lot, and it gets its own number. That number is usually printed on the bottom or side of the container, sometimes near a date.

The batch number is what ties the container in your hand to a specific run at the factory. If there is ever a question about a product, the batch number is how the company finds the right records. It is also how you match your container to its testing paperwork. Snap a photo of it or write it down when a new container arrives.

What a certificate of analysis is

A certificate of analysis, or COA, is a document reporting the results of lab testing on a particular batch. Careful makers send samples from each batch to a lab and keep the resulting certificate on file.

Think of it as a report card for one production run. It shows that someone looked at that batch and recorded what they found. A COA does not tell you what a product will do for your dog. What it does tell you is that the company tests its product and is willing to show you the results.

What to look for on a COA

You do not need to understand every line. Focus on a few things that are easy to check:

1. The lab name. The certificate should name the lab that did the testing. A named, independent lab is a good sign.
2. A batch match. The batch or lot number on the COA should match the one on your container exactly.
3. The test date. The testing should be dated, and the date should make sense for the batch you received.
4. Clear results. Each item tested should show a result, not blank spaces.
5. A signature or sign-off. Most certificates show who reviewed or approved the results.

If the batch number does not match, or the certificate has no lab name or date, ask about it. A mismatch can be an honest mix-up, and a good seller will sort it out quickly.

Questions to ask the seller

A short, friendly message usually gets you what you need. Here are questions worth asking:

• Can you send the COA for batch number (the one on my container)?
• Which lab tested this batch, and is it independent of your company?
• How often do you test, and is every batch tested?
• Where is the product made?
• Who should I contact if I have a question about my order?

A clear, prompt answer is a good sign. Vague replies or no reply at all tell you something too. For the bigger picture on picking a product, see how to choose a pet supplement. When you are ready, bring the label and COA along with our checklist of questions to ask your vet, and look over introducing a new supplement before the first serving.