The Online Pet Advice Vets Want You to Question

Quick Take

• The online pet advice your feed keeps showing you isn't random. There's a structural reason it's making your pet less safe. See why algorithms mislead →
• Skipping your pet's vaccines puts more than just your pet at risk. There's a second group in danger that most owners never consider. Understand the hidden risk →
• Those little daily 'extras' you give your pet out of love could be quietly cutting years off their life. See how extras add up →
• The things that actually keep pets healthy will never go viral, which is exactly why most owners overlook them. Discover the unglamorous basics →

Scroll through social media for five minutes, and you’ll find someone telling you what your dog should eat, which supplements your cat can’t live without, or why you should skip your pet’s next round of shots. Such advice is everywhere, yet much of it is wrong.

Dr. Dana Varble, DVM, CAE, Chief Veterinary Officer for the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), sees the fallout up close. She works at the intersection of veterinary medicine, education, and professional leadership, and she knows pet owners love their animals and want to do right by them. She also knows that love, filtered through the wrong sources, can lead to choices that put pets in danger.

We asked Dr. Varble to set the record straight on the pet-health myths that frustrate her most, the trends that worry her, and what she wishes every owner knew.

The Problem with Asking the Internet

The trouble begins when online advice replaces professional guidance, especially when it comes from algorithms built to keep you scrolling.

“While the internet can provide a wealth of information, it is incredibly important to make sure the sources of that information are accurate and reliable,” Dr. Varble says. “Pet owners are well-intentioned, but AI searches and social media often provide information that confirms opinions rather than offering balanced facts.”

That’s a key point: if you already suspect something is true, your feed will happily serve up more content that validates your assumption. And the posts that travel farthest are rarely the ones with calm, balanced information.

“It also tends to focus on negative and inflammatory claims rather than successful treatments and choices,” she explains. “A pet owner could inadvertently get bad advice that harms their pet.”

Her solution is simple: build a relationship with a veterinary team early and lean on them.

“That is why having a trusted veterinary team early in a pet’s life matters,” she says. “These individuals get to know your pet and you and can provide trusted, expert advice.”

A video from a stranger can’t examine your dog, review your cat’s history, or notice small changes in your pet over time. Your vet can.

Her Biggest Concern: The Anti-Vaccine Movement

When we asked what viral trend worries her most, Dr. Varble didn’t hesitate.

“My biggest concern is the anti-vaccination information and the voices amplifying those messages,” she says.

Vaccine skepticism has spilled over from human medicine into pet care, and the stakes are high. Dr. Varble points first to rabies, a disease that leaves no room for error.

“The most important thing to remember is that rabies is essentially a 100% fatal disease in pets and people,” she says. “The most important public health measure to protect people, especially children, from rabies is widespread vaccination of companion animals.”

In other words, your pet’s rabies shot doesn’t just protect your pet. It protects your family, your neighbors, and the kids down the street.

Rabies isn’t the only threat. Dr. Varble notes that vaccines also help prevent or reduce the severity of several serious illnesses, including canine distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and feline panleukopenia. Some of these diseases spread easily, and some can be fatal, especially in young animals.

For many of these diseases, prevention is far more effective than treatment. “In many cases, the only tool I have as a veterinarian is those vaccines!” she says.

If you have doubts, she doesn’t want you to stay silent or quietly skip appointments. She wants you to speak up. “If you have any concerns about vaccine safety or necessity, as a veterinarian, we are more than happy to discuss and address your concerns!”

Asking questions is good. Getting answers from someone trained to give them is even better.

When “Extras” Become Too Much

Not all pet-health mistakes come from scary headlines. Some come from pure affection. Many owners believe their pets need a little something more: a daily supplement, a tasty food topper, or an extra treat for being a good boy.

Dr. Varble understands the impulse, but she urges caution.

“Many owners worry that their pets need ‘extras’ such as supplements, food toppers, and treats,” she says. “Supplements are, by definition, extras. Some can be helpful, but they must be used carefully, as they can also cause side effects or interfere with other medications.”

That’s one reason to run any new product past your vet first, especially if your pet takes prescription medication.

The bigger hidden risk is calories. A spoonful of topper here and a few treats there may not seem like much, but they add up quickly for a small body.

“Additional food items and even supplements can add a lot of extra calories to a pet’s diet that can lead to higher body weights and even obesity,” she explains, “which can negatively affect their health, including impacts on joints, the spine, liver, and heart, and can even lead to a reduced lifespan!”

That last point is worth repeating. Extra pounds can mean fewer years with your pet. Those small indulgences can cost you the very thing you want most: more time together.

What Actually Keeps Pets Healthy

So, what should owners focus on instead? According to Dr. Varble, the answer is refreshingly unglamorous. “While there are always ‘extras’ such as supplements, expensive foods, treats and pet accessories, the most important parts of pet ownership,” says Varble, “are things like:”

• Regular preventative care from your veterinarian
• High-quality pet food that keeps your pet lean and their weight controlled
• Walks and training to promote excellent behavioral health and keep pets happy

None of these will go viral. You won’t find many influencers posting about their dog’s annual wellness exam or a well-measured cup of kibble. But these basics do the heavy lifting for a long, healthy life.

Walks and training matter just as much as food and medicine. They keep pets physically fit, ease boredom, and build the trust and communication that make everyday life smoother for everyone. They also give you more quality time with your pet, which is the whole point.

Dr. Varble sums it up best: “Trends can be fun, but they rarely contribute much to a healthy, happy pet and a strong human-animal bond.” Your pet doesn’t need the latest viral product or a cabinet full of supplements. What they need is far simpler: a vet who knows them, a balanced diet that keeps them lean, plenty of exercise, and an owner who asks the right people the right questions.

The next time a post makes a bold claim about your pet’s health, pause before you act. Save it, jot down your questions, and bring them to your next vet visit. As Dr. Varble makes clear, your veterinary team is there to help you give your pet the best life possible.