Pet Health Trends in 2023

Everyone, and I mean everyone has their opinions on this topic. And it is confusing as all heck. So I want to take a moment right now and tell you it’s ok. Take a moment, take a deep breath, let it out. Then recognize that whatever you are already doing, you are doing your best. You have a pet and you brighten each others lives. And that in and of itself is incredibly important!!

There are so many people right now arguing over everything. Kibble vs. Raw. Grains vs. Grain Free. Holistic vs Conventional Veterinarians. You name it people are probably arguing it over it somewhere in the animal world. Electric collars vs positive reinforcement training. So why on earth am I daring to even comment on any of these topics. Because that is what part of being int his industry is about. So here we go.

First off let me say I believe each situation is unique and should be approached as such. If something has been suggested but doesn’t feel right in your bones, then go seek another opinion. Each animal and person’s experience is unique to them, and sometimes what works for the masses won’t work for someone. I always refer back to the time that a dog came into somewhere I worked and it turned out that that dog was allergic to EVERY KIND OF ANIMAL PROTEIN. I mean EVERY KIND. The only way this dog could exist was by eating vegetarian food. I NEVER suggest feeding vegetarian or vegan food because it is not appropriate for your pet to eat. But this situation is exactly why those foods exist. To help dogs exactly like that one that are few and far between. What I have learned in this industry is that there will always be someone who breaks the mold. Who needs something different. That needs an uncommon answer. That is why there are so many products, training routes, and treatments out there. To provide for everyone’s unique experience. So Bear that in mind please as you read on.

Raw vs Kibble trend. If you have found yourself on my page through your interests you have probably seen the beautiful food bowls that people are meaning with all raw diets. Each item placed lovingly in its little spot and artistically arranged to be appealing to the human eye (because we all know Fido down there doesn’t care where the heck his beef lung is just drop the whole bowl lady!!!). But really who has time for that?! (Influencers that’s who and man am I jealous!) The commercial you see on the tv has your basic brown kibbles being poured into a bowl though! And that is what the vet is selling and all I have time for! That is fine! That is what works for you and your pet! Good job providing food for your pet every day!! The trend itself is for more fresh foods in the bowl. Do I support this? 100% yes I do. Can everyone do it? That is debatable depending on who you talk to. When you have extra thought and your dog doesn’t have a sensitivity to it. Look up if it is safe to give them and if so, toss it in that bowl!! They will probably be psyched to get people food! When we eat whole raw foods we feel better. The same goes for your pet! But do what you can! My family dog can only eat kangaroo kibble right now because she is going through an elimination diet. I will absolutely feed her the approved food and treats whenever I am there until they figure out her allergies so that I don’t cause her to get sick or be in pain from the digestive upset it appears that poultry now causes her! DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR SITUATION.

Grain vs Grain free. I won’t lie this one makes me crazy, here is why. No one in the veterinarian community on the kibble feeding side is looking at dogs as individuals. A dog comes in and they hear they are being fed grain free they tell them to get on grains immediately. Even if they have allergies. Or are a bully breed which in my experience 90% of the time are sensitive to grains. So they are taking the possibility of a heart condition (dilated cardiomyopathy) and making it everyone’s problem. A condition that hasn’t actually been linked to grain free foods might I add. It is just suspected, not proven. They are working on the actual studies now. So every owner that comes in to me looking for a new food in a panic because their vet told them grain free foods could give their dogs heart disease but they are panicking because of their sensitivity to grains I have to calm down and tell them whatever they do it is their choice but right now it is their dog being miserable every day on grains or possibly developing a heart issue. From what I have seen most choose to stay grain free. I can tell you from personal experience with food issues with my dog that I myself choose to feed grain free raw. She has never been healthier in her life at 8 years old. But again, talk to everyone. Get everyone’s opinion, and then make the best decision for you and your pets.

Holistic vs conventional veterinarians. The trend for both people and pets lately is going towards holistic. At least form everything I have been seeing and personally I love it. To a point. I believe that drugs and hospitals exist for a reason. For traumatic acute instances. But that long term solutions should be as natural as possible. The answers to everything are in the body. Holistic vets look for that, natural vets tend to treat the symptoms. But not everyone can afford the long term treatment plans for the holistic side. So do what you can. All vets want the best for your animals, they are doing the best with what they know. So do your best too and do what you feel is right. Be happy with yourself at the end of the day.

E-collars vs positive reinforcement training. Oh man this one has gotten a bit interesting at times. Both sides are not pulling punches. I again sit somewhere in the middle. I do not think that an e-collar is for everyone. I think they should be used with an experienced trainer. I do not think they need to be the first training route with every dog. But I think they serve a purpose. My little dog Ayrie is not e-collar trained. She is positive reinforcement trained. And it works very well for her. 90% of the time she is impeccable. 100% with treats in my hand. My family dog Elke is impeccable 95% of the time. That 5% she isn’t is when she sees a small prey animal run from her. There is NOTHING in this world that can get her back to us except loosing the animal or her e-collar. We fought getting the collar for a long time. The day we changed our minds she was going after a squirrel at a dog park. ESCAPED the dog park and ran across a busy street where she could have been hit by a car. We bought a collar the next day. Dog’s need off leash time to express their instincts and get energy out. Elke can only get that safely with her e-collar. If my choice is a command with a shock or her gettin gait by a car, I will pick the shock every time. No questions asked. So again consider your situation try every alternative. If nothing works CONSULT WITH A TRAINER WITH EXPERIENCE. When trained wrong there are many consequences to using the e-collar.