Do vets really know pet foods?

Question

How much do vets know about pet foods? Have you ever specifically talked to your vet about how much they have actually studied pets nutrition? Have you questioned your vet about his/her knowledge on pet foods? I know they are well trained on illness and injury but what about nutrition?

Answer 1

I have friend who works for a vet and she says the only reason they carry Science Diet is because they are paid to do so. As for actual pet nutritionists, you would have to ask each individual vet how much they studied nutrition and whether they stay up to date on new information regarding food. A lot of dog food manufacturers have vets on staff so they can promote it as "vet approved". Some of the vets i've been to have always given a generic answer on dog food and that is "if your dog is healthy and seems to be doing fine, then why change it?" There have been only one or two i've talked to that have said food does make a difference in helping the health of the dog and then continued to elaborate.

Answer 2

The more representation they receive, the More the push or " Suggest" that food. One vet was handing out Purina crap chow calenders, and samples. They both made the trash can asap. Another was constantly suggest KD or Science D. More junk. These vets knew I was feeding, fresh parched chicken.....Any vet that thinks a bagged food, is healthier than fresh chicken, beef, liver,cottage cheese,apple,banana,broccoli,carrot,yam.....has a screw loose. But more likely $$$$$$ makes their rules. They will offer their bagged food. You will see its name, on charts etc. Its fair warning for you, to learn nutrition....After that, there's a good likelihood, that you won't be seeing a vet for alonnnnng time. Stay away from the poisons that vets offer. For fleas etc. Make your own, naturally. "Don't let your pet eat or touch poisons you wouldn't". Carpet powder,lawn fertilizer,gutter water,flea sprays,powders,chlorine acid water from pools, etc. Feed sensibly, your pet will love u, your vet never did.

Answer 3

They only have a few weeks training on nutrition, and what they do get is really generic. Also, the courses are often taught by a representative of the dog food company!

So, unless they specialize in a breed, they are just giving you the broad overall that they have been given. I've found very few vets who know much at all about nutrition for dogs. And I've heard of plenty who promoted whatever brand they were selling, even if it was definitely no good at all for that particular dog.

I don't know how many times that somebody with a new giant breed puppy has been told by their vet to feed Science Diet, Iams, ......... whatever ......... puppy food. Any breeder of mastiffs, Great Danes, etc can tell you that you should NEVER feed puppy food to a giant breed. But not very many vets seem to know that.

Answer 4

Nope-most vets have only about 8 weeks study in nutrition. This is why the makers of Science Diet can "sell" the vets to push their products. BTW- Science Diet foods contain known carcenagenics as well has known allergens. It's hard enough for vets to keep up with surgical and medical break throughs. I'm afraid most ignore the nutritional side of pet care. I must admit,many of the younger vets do seem to know more about the good and bad foods available these days.

Answer 5

Actually my vet has told me she knows very little about some foods. The ones she does know are the prescription ones. At my vets they have a nutritionist. So if I ever have a question I can ask him.
Honestly most vets just dont have the time to study all the pet foods on the market now.

Answer 6

I am an office manager at an animal hospital and I can tell you that vets are knowledgable, especially those who have graduated recently. Companies don't pay my boss to promote foods, but representatives of food companies do provide a great deal of information and factual studies to prove how certain foods are better than others. Veterinarians should take information from these people because it is factual and up to date! I know the vets I work with do. An owner should study a food regardless, and should listen to a vet on buying specific foods for SPECIFIC ailments and problems. My dog was extremely overweight and I tried many pet store foods to try to help him but nothing worked until I put him on a veterinary diet! Now he's Mr. Lean!

Answer 7

I doubt that most do. Often, they pick one brand and stick with it, some probably believing it to be the best one, others because some rep. approached them and provides free samples. It's the same with medical doctors whom I had the pleasure to work with for many years. One highly recommends one type of cough syrup, another does the same with a different brand. If the staff had a good relationship with a particular rep., then it often resulted in the doc to prescribe their meds more than others. It is often the marketing of the company that influences these professionals on the products they recommend. There isn't enough time in their day to study each individual product and researches it. Some vets do specialize in nutrtition and develp their own type of food. It all depends, but I do think marketing by the companies themselves is a great influencial factor.

Answer 8

most vets are quite effiencient in most forms of pet care.
They became Vets because they themselves like animals. They not only know how to care for illness and injuries, but nutrition and care is something they have learned through personal experience as well as through vetinarian training.
this is something i have learned through numerous years of visiting vets about my dogs and several of my friends have embarked on a career as a Vet as well.
trust your vet, and try to be more talkative with your vet. Never be afraid to ask any question, no matter how simple it may seem to you.

Answer 9

If for no other reason than they see animals brought up on all kinds of foods and can see the effects they have. They're no different from MDs - some know more than others and, as far as I know, there are no dog/animal nutritionists. I think you have to use common sense, i.e. puppies need more fat and less protein than adult dogs so read the labels. Face it, no matter what, if the animal doesn't like it it won't eat it. It's almost funny - I give my dog purified water and special formula dry food. Take her for a walk and it's all out the window.

Answer 10

My vet is knowledgeable about pet foods in general. He knew that the store food that I was feeding my cat was giving her a kidney problem and advised me to get another store brand. He knew that my German Shepherd was having allergies to something so he sent me to a veterinarian dermatologist. She determined it was the dog food, and now I have to read labels for wheat. Believe me, it is the main ingredient in inexpensive dog foods.
I have to spend over $40 for a 35 lb bag of food which will last 2 weeks for my 2 German Shepherds. I have to spend $4 for a box of snacks that are wheat free. Needless to say, I cook a lot for my dogs so that I know that they are getting food that won't make them sick.
I'm thankful for the vets that steered me in the right direction for my animals.