Why do vets endorse low-quality foods?

Question

There's gotta be some noble reason, or are they just getting paid off for it?

I just wonder why our vet, who has great bedside mannor and apparently is very good with everything else, sells science diet. Granted, they haven't said "this is what you should feed Boo" but the propaganda is everywhere in the hospital.

Answer 1

I've never known vet endorse anything but high quality, very high priced foods. We've moved around a bit, so have had many vets.
Not sure if yours is a one off, maybe he is getting a cut.

Answer 2

Where do people get this myth that vets get paid to sell a certain type of food? I do all the ordering for a veterinary clinic, and can personally tell you that this is not true. Do vets make profit off of food? Yes, of course , they are a business. But thats exactly what pet stores do, they arent selling you food at cost either. I also wonder how people can trust the judgement of some company that their pet food is some how higher quality than ones researched and sold by medical professionals with 8+ years of schooling and numerous years of practical experience.

Answer 3

Paychecks. I see this all the time. IAMS and Hills shell out some dollars, tell the vet one good thing about the food and that's how they sell it, because everyone trusts a doctor. Few vets will recommend the real good stuff. I've been in the pet biz for years, always happens. It's hard to set people straight too, because I only work at a pet store. I've heard that most vets don't study nutrition much, just procedures and other medical aspects of the job. I'm not saying all vets are this way, but it does exist.

Answer 4

Both of the vets I have been to endorse high-quality food. In fact, the food they endorse is very expensive, and very good - so I don't know exactly what you're talking about.

I guess some might just because that is who endorses them. Just from seeing other businesses, when you start out some companies will lend you money in exchange for an endorsement, so possibly that was the only company available and they have a contract with the company so they can't switch companies...just an idea!

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Most Vets have very little training on actual nutrition of pets and the training they do have is sponsored by these low quality companies which is why the vets endorse their foods.

Vets are trained on how to cure illnesses, if you want to know what is good to feed your pet do your own research or talk to an animal nutritionist.

Answer 6

My vet sells Science Diet, which from what I've read is low quality. I've also read that yes, vets do get a percentage of the sales of that food. So, yes I'd say they do it cause they're getting paid.