5 Lies pet parents still believe

We all love our pets and want to do right by them, problem is there is so much information and misinformation out there regarding optimum pet health, and ultimately, we can only do better for them as we know better.

With so much misinformation out there, often times even coming from veterinarians, it is up to us to do the homework for our beloved pets’ health, and choose rightly for them, and even us!
Here are five lies that are still being circulated in the industry, and here I expose them all.

​Lie #1: Only kibble is a balanced and complete diet.

Well, if that were really true, then there would be no wolf, fox, or coyote left!
Pretty sure there is no kibble in the wild, and if dogs came from wolves (in which they share 99.9% of their DNA with), then something is very off putting about that statement.
First of all, kibble is a highly processed man-made diet, it is made through the extrusion process, so think high pressure and high temperature, and so because of that, the end mush product is void of most nutrients, and to add insult to injury, kibble companies add a synthetic vitamin and mineral pack to the food, to make it ‘balanced and complete’.
So, when a dog or cat eats kibble, their bodies are trying to make something out of nothing. Not to mention, kibble is a very high carb diet, which we are feeding to carnivores. It is also very dry, which makes it actually, the worst possible food to feed to a species that needs a moist diet (especially felines), and that is a carnivore.

With all that being said, my professional opinion is that every diet, whether kibble, cooked, raw and everything in between needs adequate supplementation. AAFCO requirements are based on survival levels, not thriving levels. Also, a Chihuahua will need different levels of nutrients than say a Great Dane, and at what stage in life they are at.
So proper supplementation is a necessity. 

Lie #2: Vaccines Equal Immunity.

I don’t care how many vaccines a dog or a cat has had or hasn’t had, if they have a compromised and weakened immune system, they’re susceptible to any disease, vaccinated or not.
The number one thing the immune system needs to flourish is proper nutrition. Where does the body assimilate nutrients from food? The gut. Hence, 80% of the immune system is in the gut. No gut, no health. That’s how it goes.
But of course, the way the veterinary system is built, they turn vaccines into gods (I personally believe it is a cult mentality- but that's just me). As in it is the only way to protect your pet. False. It is not the only way. Also, every time a dog or cat gets vaccinated, their immune system gets stimulated. Not to mention, heavy metals like mercury, which is a neurotoxin that will render the immune system rigid over time. This is not something the body just gets rid of, in fact, it stays in the body until a proper detoxification protocol is delivered, and even then, I don’t believe, we can get it all out. Just enough.
To conclude, there really is more than one path to Rome, and I would suggest weighing out all options, before deciding to vaccinate again and again and again.
 

Lie #3: Kibble Is Good For Your Pets Teeth.

Some veterinarians are still preaching this. Because of the ‘crunch’, kibble is supposedly good for your pet’s teeth.
​Well, if that premise was really true, why don’t I just gnaw on candy canes all day? I’m sure my dentist would love that!
We’ve already established that kibble is high in carbohydrates, which the body turns to glucose, which is sugar, and we know that sugar feeds bacteria, parasites, yeast, and everything else unholy.
Kibble actually accelerates tartar build up, and compromises mouth flora.
One of the best things for oral health is to mechanically chew something, but let that be a protein source, and not a carbohydrate. Also, a probiotic will also help with mouth flora, and there is sufficient evidence showing shiitake mushroom extract to reduce the metabolic activity of dental plaque which results in significant improvement in plaque index scores, promoting orodental resilience.
Just make sure it is a high quality extract powder.
Feed a diet that is lower in carbohydrates, whether soft, or not.

Lie #4: All Supplements Are The Same.

Being in the nutraceutical industry now for almost 2 decades, I can tell you that there is a world of difference between supplements and supplement brands.
Often times, you are really not comparing apples to apples at all.
Be very particular what you choose for your pets, most on the market on the shelves at best do nothing, and at worst can do more harm than good, silently.
Make sure you do your homework and research, because ultimately, it boils down to trust.
​Maybe you tried a supplement before and it didn’t work out for your pet or you felt it did nothing, don’t stop trying until you find the supplement that works for your pet, because supplements are your pets’ health insurance, and trust me, you’re going to want to invest in that. Just in the right way.

Lie #5: Wait Until Your Pet Is a Senior Before Putting Them On a Joint Support Supplement.

The best advice I can give to anyone is to not wait until something breaks before you go about fixing it. An ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure!
Most experts suggest putting a dog or a cat on a joint support even at middle age, especially true for large breed dogs, but not exclusive. I remember putting my German Shepherd on a preventative joint support when he turned 3 years old!
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You can prevent joint structure break down, cartilage and collagen support before they need it, because often times by the time they need it, it can be too late.
52% of dog owners report that their dogs have joint pain, and according to one PubMed study, the most common degenerative disease in our pets is osteoarthritis.
It’s also one of the most preventable diseases!
 Try to look for one that also has anti-aging and strong anti-inflammatory properties to boot.
 
We all try to do the best for them, and that also boils down to the more we know, the more we can do better.
Please do not let anyone belittle you if you don’t go their way, life is a journey. Work with someone who will work with you, and not against you, and don’t make any decisions for your pet (or even yourself) out of fear or panic. Who you allow to influence you is very important.
Do your homework and research, but at the same time be discerning and use wisdom. As the old saying goes, ‘Health really is wealth’, and I agree whole heartedly. Choose wisely.