Why alternative diet trends can be dangerous for your pet

Veterinarian listening to a dogs heart

Millions of people embrace new diet and nutrition trends every day, but experts from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine urge people not to assume what works for them will also work for their pets.

“People just want to do what’s best for their pets, but when they apply human diets to their animals, it doesn’t always work out well,” said Dr. Valerie Parker, board certified veterinary nutritionist at Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. “There’s tons of information out there about alternative diets, but it’s not all based on scientific information. Animals have vastly different nutritional needs than humans and adopting an alternative diet can result in severe implications for your pet.”

What you read online should enhance what your veterinarian recommends, not replace it. A veterinary nutritionist can work with patients to determine the best diet for their pet, taking into account the animal’s breed, body weight, body composition (including body condition and muscle condition scores), and medical conditions.

Dr. Parker lists some of the common diet trends pet owners try, and why it’s best to reject the hype. Watch the video below to learn more.

Compassionate, cutting-edge care for pets and animals

At The Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center, our top priority is making the world healthier for animals and the families who love and care for them.

Learn more about our services

Topics

Related websites

Subscribe. The latest from Ohio State Health & Discovery delivered right to your inbox.

Subscribe

Get articles and stories about health, wellness, medicine, science and education delivered right to your inbox from the experts at Ohio State.

Required fields

By clicking "Subscribe" you agree to our Terms of Use.
Learn more about how we use your information by reading our Privacy Policy.