Vets receive little to no training in pet nutrition but do recieve a nice sum of money from pet food companies to sell their products. Vet prescription diets should never be fed on a regular basis as they have cancer causing preservatives, fillers, etc. in them. So, I need suggestions on how to convince pet owners that they need to do the research themselves and challenge thei vet when they try to sell them a specific food. I've started my own pet food business selling Innova and need to get the word out that is a superior product.
2006-06-25 09:08:11 · 8 answers · asked by PAWS 5 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Just a couple of notes so that everyone doesn't think I hate vets...
-I worked for many years with a vet and she was absolutely disgusted with the little trainging time that she received on nutrition during her degree...and I have heard the same from many other vets.
-Vets are great at what they are trained to do and that is diagnose. I come from a prevention perspective and think many animals could be kept healthier if people knew a little bit more about pet nutrition and vets are not "normally" the place to get this info. Yes, there are vets out there now that are become much more concious of the food industry...but we need many more of these before we'll see a shift in the quality of most foods.
-And yes there are still foods like Science Diet vet prescription diets that are using cancer causing chemical preservatives like BHA/BHT.
2006-06-26 02:03:40 · update #1
i agree with you 100%. vets don't know everything. even if they say they are professionals dosen't mean they know everything about nutrition to give any animal unless they study it by them selfs with out them learning it at vet school.
you make a good point to that question. keep it going!
deanna
2006-06-25 09:20:52 · answer #1 · answered by deanna p 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you notice the vets only sell certain pet foods. And the brands that they sell are likely to have been made by other vets that's why people trust them. Next time your in a vets office look at all the pet food and do the same a the store there is a big difference. I have a dog that has been on an arthritis vet food for a month and its has not helped her, but the food in the store's does nothing either. Some people are blind when it comes to pets there are so happy when they find out that their may be a dog food that can help with arthritis that they don't care what their putting in to there pets. If your food has been tested and you know it will work then put it out there it will catch on.
2006-06-25 09:28:27 · answer #2 · answered by bigblade15 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't know about the preservatives, but most pet food you buy in the store isn't that great either.... For example my elderly (19 year old) cat can't have most store cat food, as it tends to be high in magnesium and gives her bladder infections, the poor thing. The vet carries food that is low in magnesium
And my guinea pig (god rest her soul) had a tooth problem and NEED the vet food that was mushy... it was a loosing battle and eventually she lost, but that's not the point
Also, you would think that nutrition, at least problems that can be caused by lack of proper nutrition or too much nutrition would be studied in Vet school.
I think you are just trying to squash the competition. If it truly is a good food, then tell vets about it, and they will tell their patients. (or their owners at any rate)
2006-06-25 15:16:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea!!! They think Science Diet is the best thing since sliced bread!!!! They were still pushing it when it had Ethoxyquin and BHT in it!!!!!!!! One of our local vets tells people to get Pedigree!!!!!!!!!
It is hard though, since no food will do for every pet!! Innova is a good food, but my dogs do crappy on it...and I mean CRAPPY!!!!
Nutro is the same. And Artemis.
Some people also cannot afford the more expensive foods. If they cannot afford good food, vets may stear them to Dog Chow because it at least doesn't have the many colors!!!!!!!!! It is hard to get people to make a change like that if they have been feeding someting for years!!!!!
I knew of a lady that had great obedience and water Newfs. Her dogs looked great and lived long. She fed Dog Chow. What can you tell her???? She sees her dogs and likes what she sees!!! You can't win an argument like that!!!!!
2006-06-25 09:38:02 · answer #4 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately some vets like to take advantage of peoples emotions. Let them know what fillers and by-products can do to their pet's health. Another good food to get involved with is Wellness. No by-product, no chemicals, no preservatives, Meat is the first ingredient, includes fruits and vegetables.
2006-06-25 16:49:49 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IMO anyone selling anything aren't impartial. Their goal is to sell you something. Veterinarians have a degree and it's presumed they know about animal health. They also, as indicated, have a financial stake in the sale of items in their office - which isn't all bad. But the one who graduated bottom of the class is still a vet. A degree or title doesn't mean much.
2006-06-25 09:16:31 · answer #6 · answered by Jan H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not all vets actually. it depends on what they studied and what type of vet they are. they actually know a lot about what is good for your pet, because most of the time they have a lot of knowledge on pet care.... obviously. you may have just had a bad vet. my vet is absolutley wonderful. she has been practicing 8 years and have 6 dogs and 4 cats of her own. she is great.
2006-06-25 09:18:18 · answer #7 · answered by 128333 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
seems your doing a good job now
2006-06-25 09:13:16 · answer #8 · answered by lisa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋