💻 Vet’s 2025 Guide to Smart Internet Research for Pet Health: How to Find Trustworthy Info 🐾

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

The internet is a double-edged sword. 🗡️ On one side, it's a treasure trove of veterinary information. On the other, it can be a minefield of myths, marketing, and misleading advice. As a veterinarian, I often meet pet parents who come armed with internet research—some helpful, some harmful. This 2025 guide will help you use the internet wisely and safely for your pet’s health. 💡🐶

🌐 Why Online Vet Info Is Better Than Ever

Twenty years ago, finding credible veterinary advice online was tough. Today? There’s an explosion of professional blogs, university resources, and vet-reviewed databases. But not all websites are equal. Let's learn to separate trustworthy sources from the noise. 🔍📚

🏛️ Start with Noncommercial Sources

Look for sites that are affiliated with:

• 🐾 Veterinary teaching hospitals
• 🏥 Specialty veterinary clinics
• 📊 Government agencies (like the FDA or CDC)
• 🎓 Foundations or veterinary associations

These sites exist to educate, not sell. They’re more likely to share objective, up-to-date, evidence-based info. ✅

💸 Be Cautious with Commercial Sites

Commercial sites (especially supplement or product vendors) can be biased. That doesn’t mean all their info is false, but you need to evaluate carefully. Here's how:

1. 📚 Look for Scientific References

• ✅ Reputable: Journals like JAVMA, Cochrane, JNE
• ❌ Not reputable: Blogs, magazines, testimonials

Pro Tip: Peer-reviewed = reviewed by experts in the field. These are the gold standard in medical research. 🥇

2. 🧬 Human ≠ Pet Studies

Info from test tubes or mice may not apply to your dog or cat. Prefer research done on actual pets. 🐶🐱

3. 🧠 Who Wrote It?

The author’s credentials matter. Look for:

• 👨‍⚕️ Veterinary degrees (DVM, BVSc)
• 🎓 Certification in nutrition or internal medicine
• 📧 Clear contact info—no anonymity!

4. 🚫 Beware of Magic Cures

If it sounds too good to be true (“cures all cancers!”), it probably is. Especially if there’s no peer-reviewed support. 🧪🛑

5. 🧾 Transparency on Ingredients

Supplements must disclose:

• 📋 What’s inside
• 📏 How much of each ingredient
• 🧪 Clinical studies to support claims

Watch out for “proprietary blends” with no dosage listed. 🚩

6. 🏅 Look for NASC Membership

If the company makes animal supplements, they should belong to the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). It sets quality control standards and reports adverse effects. 🧠🧴

⚖️ Supplement Safety and Dosing

Human supplements may be prescribed by vets, but NEVER dose them yourself. Only a veterinarian should determine what's safe and effective for pets. 💊🐕

🔗 Trustworthy Sites Link to Diverse Sources

A good resource offers multiple perspectives, not just one voice. 🌍 Be cautious if:

• 🌀 The site links only to other alternative/holistic blogs
• 🎯 The site links only to anti-alternative “quack” buster sites

Diverse viewpoints = more balanced knowledge. 🤝

🗓️ Look for a "Last Updated" Date

Science evolves quickly. 🚀 Don’t trust articles that haven’t been updated in years. If there’s no timestamp at all, proceed with caution. 🕰️

👩‍⚕️ Your Vet Has Access to More

We vets stay informed through:

• 🧠 Professional journals before public release
• 📡 Alert systems for recalls or outbreaks
• 🧑‍⚕️ Clinical trials and internal databases

Tip: Don’t rely on online info alone. Use it to start conversations with your vet. 🗣️

🛑 Red Flags Online

• 😱 Overly dramatic claims
• 💰 Hard sells before you finish reading
• 🤐 No credentials or contact info
• 🧪 “Clinically proven” without sources
• 🔒 Hidden ingredient lists or “secret formulas”

🌟 Trusted Websites to Start With

• VeterinaryPartner.com: Articles reviewed by veterinarians
• National Library of Medicine (PubMed): Peer-reviewed studies
• AskAVet.com: Real-time help from licensed vets

📱 Ask A Vet Can Help

Not sure if that article you read is legit? Just ask us! At AskAVet.com, we offer:

• 📲 Chat with licensed vets about what you’ve read
• 🧪 Help interpreting studies or supplement labels
• 🧠 Guidance on what’s worth exploring further

Download our app for anytime support—your peace of mind is just a tap away. 🐾📱

📦 Quick Checklist for Evaluating a Pet Health Website

• ✅ Authored by credentialed experts
• 📅 Recent update date
• 🧪 Peer-reviewed references
• 📞 Clear contact info
• 🧬 Species-specific relevance
• 🧾 Transparent ingredient listing (if selling)
• 💬 Balanced viewpoints & diverse links

🎯 Final Thoughts

Being an informed pet parent is fantastic—but make sure your research is rooted in science, not sales. 🔬💡

The internet can empower you, or confuse you. Use it wisely, double-check your sources, and always bring your findings to your vet. We're here to help you sort fact from fiction and make the best decisions for your furry companion. 🐕❤️

📲 Download the Ask A Vet App

Not sure if you can trust that article? Want a second opinion on a supplement? Download our app and get fast, friendly, vet-approved answers. 🐾

Because Google can't examine your pet. We can. 👩‍⚕️🐶