Clinical claims *pets can't fake*
Your customers love their pets like family — and they read labels like lawyers. We help pet health brands run the clinical and consumer perception studies that turn ingredient stories into evidence-backed claims.
How does Citruslabs run studies for Pet Health? Citruslabs designs and runs IRB-approved clinical studies tailored to Pet Health brands — consumer perception studies (4–8 weeks, $15K+), single-arm clinical studies (8–12 weeks, $40K+), or randomized controlled trials (12–16 weeks, $80K+). Each study uses category-appropriate endpoints and biomarkers, ships with a marketing claims appendix reviewed for FTC and FDA best practices, and earns the optional Citruslabs Tested Seal if the data supports product claims.
Clinical studies for pet supplements, food, and wellness products with veterinary oversight.
Pet parents read labels now. *Your ingredients aren't enough.*
Walk down any pet aisle and you'll see "clinically proven," "vet-recommended," and "shown to support joint health" on every bag and bottle. Most of it is borrowed ingredient data, a single vet's endorsement, or survey results from the brand's own customer base. **That's not clinical evidence — it's marketing theater.** Real clinical testing means a controlled feeding trial, an independent participant pool, veterinary assessments, and statistically analyzed results. The kind of evidence that holds up when Chewy's buyer asks "show me the study" or when NASC audits your label claims. We build that evidence. For your product. With your claims goals in mind from day one.
Contains glucosamine, which has been shown to support joint health in dogs
In a 90-day controlled feeding trial, 87% of dogs showed clinically meaningful improvement in joint mobility, confirmed by veterinary assessment
Categories
Joint & Mobility
Joint support, hip & elbow health, arthritis management, mobility improvement. We pair veterinary assessment with owner-reported outcomes for claims that satisfy both retailers and NASC.
Skin & Coat
Coat quality, shedding reduction, itch relief, skin barrier health. Visual photography protocols and validated dermatology scoring for measurable proof.
Digestive Health
Stool quality, gas reduction, appetite improvement, microbiome balance. Fecal scoring and owner diaries paired with optional microbiome sequencing.
Calming & Anxiety
Stress reduction, separation anxiety, noise phobia, situational calming. Validated behavioral scales and owner questionnaires designed for anxious pet populations.
Dental & Oral Care
Tartar reduction, breath improvement, gum health, plaque control. Veterinary dental scoring and photographic documentation of oral health changes.
Weight Management
Body condition scoring, lean mass analysis, metabolic markers. Veterinary body condition assessments paired with feeding compliance tracking.
Immune & Allergy
Immune function, allergy symptom reduction, seasonal support, recovery time. Blood panels and veterinary assessment for clinical-grade immune claims.
Senior & Cognitive
Cognitive function, senior vitality, memory support, age-related decline. Validated cognitive assessment scales and owner behavioral diaries.
Study Types
Owner Perception Study
Pet owner-reported outcomes via validated questionnaires. The fastest path to claims like '9 out of 10 owners noticed shinier coat' — ideal for DTC brands, Amazon listings, and social proof.
Controlled Feeding Trial
Controlled feeding protocol with veterinary endpoints, body condition scoring, blood panels, and statistical analysis. The gold standard for NASC compliance, retail buyers, and regulatory defensibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many pets do I need for a study?
- Most pet perception studies need 30-50 pet owners for statistically meaningful results. Feeding trials and veterinary-observed studies typically require 40-80+ animals depending on the claims you need and the endpoints measured.
- What's the difference between an owner perception study and a feeding trial?
- An owner perception study captures pet owners' observations — coat quality, energy, digestion changes — via validated questionnaires. A feeding trial adds objective veterinary assessments, body condition scoring, blood panels, and controlled feeding protocols for quantitative, science-backed claims.
- Can I test multiple products in one study?
- Yes. We can design multi-arm studies testing multiple formulations, flavors, or SKUs simultaneously. This is common for brands launching a line or comparing a new formula against an existing bestseller.
- Do you handle pet recruitment?
- Yes. We recruit from our network of pet owner panelists, matching by breed, age, size, health condition, and diet type. Most studies reach full enrollment within 2-3 weeks.
- How fast can I get results?
- Owner perception studies can deliver results in as little as 4-6 weeks. Feeding trials with veterinary endpoints typically take 8-16 weeks. We provide interim check-ins and a final marketing-ready report with claims, photography, and statistical analysis.
- What claims can I make from a perception study vs. feeding trial?
- Perception studies support claims like '9 out of 10 pet owners noticed improved coat shine.' Feeding trials support stronger claims like 'clinically shown to improve joint mobility by 38%' with veterinary assessment and statistical significance. We help you choose the right study type based on your claims goals and retail requirements.
Testimonials
We had ingredient studies from our suppliers, but Chewy wanted evidence on our actual product. Citruslabs designed a feeding trial that gave us the claims we needed — our conversion rate jumped 28% after adding 'clinically tested' to our listings.
Mike R., VP Product at Pet Supplement Brand
The owner perception study was the perfect starting point. We got '9 out of 10 owners noticed improvement' claims in 5 weeks. Now we're planning a full feeding trial for our veterinary channel.
Dr. Sarah L., Head of R&D at Veterinary Nutrition Co.
Our calming chew was selling well but we couldn't substantiate our claims. Citruslabs built a study around real stress scenarios — thunderstorms, separation, vet visits. The data completely transformed our packaging and marketing.
Jessica T., Founder at Natural Pet Wellness