How close are you and your veterinarian?
According to studies, there are roughly 90.5 million families in the United States that own a pet. To put that in perspective, that amounts to about 70 percent of the population.
Yet, for all the enthusiasm we have for having furry sidekicks, it’s striking how little attention is paid to the experts who keep our pets healthy on a regular basis: Vets!
We asked veterinarians and technicians to disclose some pet vet tips and cautionary tales with the purpose of saving you time, trouble, and trauma for everyone involved.
Want to know what these specialists REALLY think about your pet and how you’re caring for it? Read on, and you’ll find out 14 things veterinarians won’t tell you!
Your $4,000 “designer” pup could be a mutt!
Puppy mills and breeders have created some cute names like Puggles and Morkipoos. And now people are paying $2,000 to $4,000 for a dog they wouldn’t be able to give away a few decades years ago.
Dennis Leon, DVM, believes that whoever started this trend is a marketing genius!
They don’t care what size home you have
Even though some pet owners might feel like their veterinarian is giving them the side-eye because they’re keeping a Mastiff in a one-bedroom apartment, that’s genuinely not the case.
Dr. Barrack, for instance, says that even a big dog can merrily live in a small apartment if given the proper amount of exercise each day.
Don’t blame them if you want to be thrifty
Here’s a huge pet peeve many veterinarians have: Owners who don’t want to pay for their fur babies to get diagnostic tests but then get mad because vets don’t know what’s wrong with their pet.
If we won’t let them do the blood work or X-rays, how in the world do we expect them to know what’s wrong?
They want you to stop being “Dr. Google”
We all know that the internet is an excellent resource. But it surely doesn’t trump the experience of an ACTUAL veterinarian, right? When we go online, we have so much information at our fingertips.
But many well-intentioned pet owners are diagnosing and treating their pets by looking online rather than talking with their veterinarian. Dr. Ryan says that there’s a lot of misinformation on the internet regarding pet health.
So it’s best if you consult your veterinarian for any health concerns or questions.
They’re a vet hospital, not a pet hotel
A vet tech has told us that people have gotten upset because their dog got a regular sheet rather than two fluffy blankets or they didn’t get hand-fed.
Veterinarians want you to remember that they’re just trying to get your pup better so she can come home. THAT’S where she should be spoiled!
They deserve the same respect as an MD
You shouldn’t assume that your veterinarian is a less skilled version of a doctor. The coursework in veterinary school is the same as in medical school.
One significant difference is that vets need the ability to treat multiple species instead of just one. For this reason, some veterinarians consider vet school an even more challenging course of study than med school.
If you’re antagonistic to the staff, you WILL be treated differently
Many hospitals keep comprehensive records of the behavior…of both your pet AND you! If you’re acting aggressively toward the staff, you’ll be treated differently, says Oscar Chavez, DVM.
Veterinarians feel strongly about declawing
Did you think your vet was impartial when it came to declawing your cat? You’d be wrong. Dr. Rachel Barrack, DVM, CVA, CVCH, is firmly against declawing because it’s of no medical benefit to cats.
Declawing is the amputation of each digit’s last bone, which is like cutting a finger off at the last knuckle. She also notes that the practice is already outlawed in many places, both in the US and overseas.
They 100% blame you for your pet’s weight issues
Veterinarians would never say this to you in an exam room. But the fact remains that if you have a tendency to overeat and aren’t very active, you’re more likely to have an obese pet.
They feel as though you should clean up after your pet more
They probably won’t tell you this when you go in to see them, but your veterinarian most likely thinks that you’re slacking when it comes to cleaning your pet’s food bowls.
Dr. Gary Richter, a Veterinary Health Expert, Believes that food and water bowls should be cleaned with soap and hot water daily. Toys and any sort of bedding should be thrown in the washing machine at least once a month, more depending on how quickly they get dirty.
They know when you’re twisting the truth
If your canine has a six-pound tumor hanging from his skin, please don’t tell your veterinarian that it wasn’t there yesterday. Specialists can ALWAYS tell.
They Really Want You to Stop Dyeing Your Pets
Putting hair dye on your pets might seem like an adorable idea. But it can put undue stress on them, and it can even make them sick sometimes.
As a rule, rodents and chinchillas can get pneumonia from bathing, and cats are meticulous groomers and can be sensitive to licking their colored coats. The entire ordeal would likely be highly stressful for them, as well.
Even though dogs may tolerate this more easily, it’s still unwise. You should just stick to a sweater if you want your pet to look fashionable.
They hate retractable leashes
This is something that most veterinarians have had to deal with. The stopping mechanism on retractable leashes can pop open very easily, So suddenly, the pet is flying to the end of it. And unfortunately, this can happen in the middle of the street or in the jaws of another pup.
Bernadine Cruz, DVM, says she’s seen people bring in a pet who got struck by a car when they were using a retractable leash, and the mechanism failed.
They know your pet is a sweetheart… even if they misbehave in front of them
Don’t be embarrassed if your pet freaks out when you take them for a check-up. It won’t make the vet hate your beloved furry friend. They understand that the pet is probably just scared and not feeling well. They also get that their behavior isn’t typical for them.
Most veterinary clinics make every effort to make visits a pleasant experience. In fact, certain medical centers have begun spraying calming pheromones on towels, bandanas for the dogs, and even on the staff to help the cats and dogs feel more at ease.
Many also give cats a quiet space away from loud dogs while they wait to see the doctor.
…If you’re wondering what calming pheromones are, Amazon even has a great diffuser you can buy for your home. Check it out HERE!
Did you know about any of these secrets veterinarians won’t tell you? Please be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
And if you found this post interesting, we got many more like it. We highly recommend checking out: 7 WORST Dogs to Have as Pets, According to Vets
