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Are There Different Types of Veterinarians?

When you adopt a pet, it’s important to consider the veterinary care your new animal will need and the type of veterinarian that can provide it. There are several types of veterinarians with different training and credentials.

Are There Different Types of Veterinarians?

When you adopt a pet – whether it be a cat, dog, lizard, or pot-bellied pig – it’s important to consider the veterinary care your new animal will need and the type of veterinarian that can provide it. There are actually several types of veterinarians with different training and credentials.

5 Different Kinds of Veterinarians

1. Companion Animal Veterinarians

This is the most common type of veterinarian. Companion animal veterinarians specialize in the care of small animals like cats, dogs, and some pocket pets. They are called General Practitioners and would be the equivalent of your family doctor. They’re qualified and trained to provide most types of care to pets including medical and surgical services, diagnostics, and treatments.

2. Veterinary Specialists

If companion animal veterinarians are the General Practitioners of human medicine, then veterinary specialists are the Orthopedic Surgeons and Oncologists of veterinary medicine. Veterinarians can choose to specialize in any of over 20 recognized fields of study, including cardiology, dentistry, anesthesiology and more. In order to become certified or boarded in any specialty field, these veterinarians undergo advanced training in post-veterinary school programs.

3. Exotic Animal Veterinarians

These veterinarians are specially trained or have a special interest in caring for exotic animals including pocket pets, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Some exotic animal veterinarians treat pets while others treat animals at a zoo or other wildlife habitats. Some of them also obtain additional training to become an exotic animal specialist.

4. Livestock, Food, and Large Animal Veterinarians

These veterinarians focus on the care of large animals and livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. They’re trained specifically to meet the needs of these types of farm animals. Some large animal veterinarians work at a Large Animal Veterinary Hospital while most others travel around in a specially-equipped vehicle to see their patients where they live.

5. Laboratory Veterinarians

There are many other veterinarians who work behind the scenes in fields such as infectious disease diagnosis, pathology, animal feed production, pharmacology research and many more. These veterinarians are not as visible to the public but are vital for the well-being of all animals.

What's the Difference Between a Veterinary Hospital and a Veterinary Clinic?

When choosing a veterinary practice for your pet, you’ll see different terminology in the names such as:

  • Veterinary hospital
  • Animal hospital
  • Veterinary clinic
  • Animal clinic

There’s no major difference between the terms “veterinary” and “animal,” but there is a difference between hospitals and clinics. Typically a veterinary or animal hospital refers to a full-service veterinary practice, and a veterinary or animal clinic refers to a practice that offers paired back or limited services.
The difference in titles has no bearing on the quality of care, but “hospitals” do offer a broader range of care services.

Veterinary Care You Can Count On in Sleepy Hollow

At Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital, we provide our patients with a full range of veterinary services including emergency care and access to board-certified veterinary surgeons and internists. To learn more about how Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital can take care of your pets, schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians today.

Protect Your Dog from Lyme Disease with a Vaccine

Yes, parasite preventatives can help safeguard your pet from parasites, like ticks, and the diseases they carry, but these preventatives aren’t 100% protective – especially if pets don’t receive properly timed administration or doses. Thankfully, there’s another layer of protection to shield your dog from Lyme disease with a Lyme vaccine.

Protect Your Dog from Lyme Disease with a Vaccine

Yes, parasite preventatives can help safeguard your pet from parasites, like ticks, and the diseases they carry, but these preventatives aren’t 100% protective – especially if pets don’t receive properly timed administration or doses. Thankfully, there’s another layer of protection to shield your dog from Lyme disease with a Lyme vaccine.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria is transmitted to dogs (and humans) through the bite of an infected tick. Lyme-infected ticks are endemic in the Northeast United States, putting us and our pets at risk.

Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs

Although many dogs infected with Lyme disease do not exhibit signs and symptoms, the effects of Lyme can be severe.

Symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Joint swelling
  • Lameness
  • Decreased activity
  • Loss of appetite

A blood test is used to diagnose Lyme disease. If your dog tests positive, treatment with a month’s long course of antibiotics and additional testing will be recommended. If left untreated or in some severely affected dogs, Lyme disease can lead to permanent damage of the kidneys, joint cartilage, brain and spinal cord and in rare instances cardiovascular complications.

Protect Your Dog from Lyme Disease with a Simple Vaccine

In the past, Lyme vaccination was tricky because the bacteria that causes the Lyme actually changes once it enters the dog’s bloodstream. A technologically-advanced vaccine has been developed that attacks the Lyme-causing bacteria while it’s still inside an attached tick, effectively preventing transmission.

Lyme disease transmission can be significantly decreased with this advanced Lyme vaccine, which we recommend for all at-risk dogs living in the Northeastern United States. You can reduce your dog’s chances of contracting Lyme disease by using parasite preventatives and avoiding brushy, grassy, or wooded areas, but vaccination is a simple way to give your pet superior protection.

Why Isn't There a Lyme Vaccine for People?

A Lyme vaccine was available for people in the 1990s. Unfortunately, its release coincided with bad press about vaccines, incorrectly linking them with autism. Although the vaccine was effective, it was taken off the market. Today, two pharmaceutical companies are working on developing a human-grade Lyme vaccine, but it’s unclear when it will be available.

Get Your Dog a Lyme Vaccine for Tick Season

If your dog has yet to be vaccinated for Lyme disease, we recommend scheduling an appointment before your pet starts rolling in the grass and enjoying the warmer weather that comes with tick season. To schedule an appointment, contact Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital.

Novel Coronavirus and the Safety of Your Pets

Amidst the worry and fear of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many pet owners have been left wondering whether their pets could be affected. Although more research is needed, there is currently no evidence that dogs, cats, or other domestic animals can either contract or transmit COVID-19.

Novel Coronavirus and the Safety of Your Pets

Amidst the worry and fear of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many pet owners have been left wondering whether their pets could be affected. Although more research is needed, there is currently no evidence that dogs, cats, or other domestic animals can either contract or transmit COVID-19.

Canine and Feline Coronaviruses Are Not the Same

Within the coronaviridae virus family, there are certain viruses that can affect animals like cats and dogs. These viruses, however, are different from COVID-19 and cannot be transmitted to humans.

Recommendations for Keeping Your Pets and Family Healthy During the Pandemic

Although there’s no evidence that our pets can contract or transmit COVID-19, the AVMA still recommends that pet owners take precautions during the outbreak.

People and pets should follow federal and local social distancing guidelines. Restrict your pet’s contact with people and animals from other households. Since COVID-19 can survive on different surfaces for various lengths of time, pets that encounter sick humans or contaminated animals should not be allowed to have contact with other humans.
You should also have a supply of pet essentials (food and medications). If you become ill, you’ll need to self-quarantine with your pets.

Worries about novel coronavirus aside, there are many zoonotic diseases that can be passed between humans and animals. It’s always smart to practice proper hygiene when you come into contact with any animals. Be sure to wash your hands before and after playing or snuggling to keep your pets and your human family members healthy.

New Safety Protocols Allow Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital to Continue Serving You and Your Pets

Veterinary hospitals are still considered essential businesses in New York State and are allowed to remain open to serve the needs of their clients and their pets. At Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital, we’ll continue providing veterinary care to our patients as long as we’re legally allowed to do so. While remaining open during the pandemic, we have adjusted our service, sanitization, and safety protocols to protect both our clients and our veterinary staff.

We recommend rescheduling non-essential appointments for a later date. If your pet needs vaccinations or urgent care, however, we’re continuing to admit patients while limiting human contact with curbside drop-offs and medication pickup services. If you are sick, we ask that you reschedule your pet’s appointment at this time. We always welcome you to contact our office for more information.

Veterinary Technicians: The Unsung Heroes of Animal Hospitals

When your pet is called into the veterinary office, a veterinary technician is always working to make sure that your pet is receiving the best medical care. Maybe you don’t know exactly what they do or how they earned their title, but veterinary technicians are valuable assets to veterinary clinics and hospitals everywhere.

Veterinary Technicians: The Unsung Heroes of Animal Hospitals

When your pet is called into the veterinary office, a veterinary technician is always working to make sure that your pet is receiving the best medical care. Maybe you don’t know exactly what they do or how they earned their title, but veterinary technicians are valuable assets to veterinary clinics and hospitals everywhere. Like the registered nurses of the veterinary world, vet techs assist veterinarians with patient care, helping them do their jobs efficiently and effectively.

What Are Veterinary Technicians?

The definition of a veterinary technician, also called vet techs, will vary by state. In New York State, vet techs are professionals who are licensed in the field of veterinary technology. They’re qualified and trained to provide technical support to veterinarians during the patient care process.

How Animal Lovers Become Veterinary Technicians

Becoming a veterinarian can require eight to ten years of education. Individuals who love animals and want to work in the veterinary field, but can’t commit to such a lengthy time in school, can become veterinary technicians more quickly.
In New York State, aspiring vet techs must complete an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program. They can either earn a 2-year Associate’s Degree in veterinary technology to become a veterinary technician or they can choose to become a veterinary technologist by attending a 4-year program to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in the field of veterinary technology.
After completing their degree, vet techs earn their licensure by passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).
Just like with veterinarians, some vet techs decide to specialize in a certain area such as dental technology, anesthesia, internal medicine, emergency and critical care or behavior. These vet techs receive formal, specialized training, testing and certification and are licensed as Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS).

What Do Veterinary Technicians Do?

Vet techs have jobs that involve just about every facet of veterinary care in a clinic. As a result, it’s easier to list the few things they don’t do than to list everything a vet tech’s job entails. Veterinary technicians legally are not allowed to diagnose patients, perform surgery, administer euthanasia, or to prescribe medications. These important jobs are left to veterinarians.
Veterinary technicians, however, assist with all of these procedures. They’re qualified to administer vaccinations, assist a veterinarian with surgery, take samples for diagnostic testing, take x-rays, do ultrasounds, trim nails, bathe pets, clean ears, and they also perform full pet dental cleanings. Vet techs are also qualified to calculate, measure, distribute, and administer medications.
Whether your pet visits the veterinarian for a quick wellness exam or checks in for a longer hospital stay, veterinary technicians will play an integral role in your pet’s care.

Beware of Puppy Mills: Responsible Pet Ownership Begins with Adoption

As a responsible pet owner, the first choice you should make is to ensure you acquire your new puppy responsibly. Puppy mills are exactly what they sound like — large, for-profit facilities designed to produce as many puppies as possible.

Beware of Puppy Mills: Responsible Pet Ownership Begins with Adoption

As a responsible pet owner, the first choice you should make is to ensure you acquire your new puppy responsibly. Puppy mills are exactly what they sound like — large, for-profit facilities designed to produce as many puppies as possible. Puppy mills produce with a focus on profits, without much regard for the quality of life of their puppies and breeding dogs and view the wellbeing and health of these animals through a lens of profitability.

Some puppy mill dogs spend their entire lives inside cages, which are cleaned infrequently. As a result, they live their entire lives inside a facility, never getting to run in the grass or feel the bond of human affection. They receive minimal veterinary care, and the breeding animals are made to reproduce without regard to how repeated and frequent births will affect their health.

How Can Puppy Mills Still Be in Business?

The separation between these facilities and future dog owners keeps puppy mills in business. The puppies are typically sold online and in classified ads but puppy mills also act as mass-breeding centers, providing a steady supply of puppies to pet stores. As a result, many caring dog-owners never actually see the conditions in which their family’s new furry friend originated.

According to this The New York Times article, California, Maryland, and about 250 cities across the United States have banned the sale of puppies and kittens sourced from puppy mills and kitten factories. Since this article was published, additional municipalities have put through similar bans and New York State currently has a bill “In Committee” which would make it the 3rd state to prohibit such sales in pet stores. In spite of these curtailment laws and federal attempts to limit animal cruelty through the revision of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, there’s still an estimated 10,000 active puppy mills in the United States.

Puppy Mill “Take Homes”

Puppy mill puppies deserve to be rescued and given good homes, but purchasing dogs from these facilities generates profits, which perpetuates the animal abuse. Each year, puppy mills sell about 2 million puppies, when between 6 and 8 million pets enter animal shelters and about 1.5 million are euthanized.

Where to Get Your Next Puppy

Stop and think about where that “puppy in the window” came from before visiting that pet store.

Adopting from a local animal shelter will save a pet’s life and take a burden off the community. You can also turn to breed-specific rescue groups. Purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder is another option. It is best to visit the breeder to make sure the breeder has a humane facility and prioritizes the health and wellbeing of their dogs. A good breeder will let you see where the dogs are housed and meet your puppy’s parents. They won’t separate puppies from their mothers earlier than six weeks of age, and they’ll give you their veterinarian as a reference.

For more information about responsible pet ownership and adoption, we welcome you to contact Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital

Service, Working, and Therapy Dogs: What’s the Difference?

We mostly view our dogs as loyal companions, but they can be so much more! With the right training, dogs are smart enough to be helpers, life-savers, and uplifters. These types of special dogs have different designations — service, working, or therapy — depending on the jobs they have been trained to do.

Service, Working, and Therapy Dogs: What's the Difference?

We mostly view our dogs as loyal companions, but they can be so much more! With the right training, dogs are smart enough to be helpers, life-savers, and uplifters. These types of special dogs have different designations — service, working, or therapy — depending on the jobs they have been trained to do.

The Different Types of Dogs with Jobs

Service Dogs

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are any dogs that have been trained to specifically assist an individual with accessibility needs. Service dogs perform daily tasks for individuals that they cannot do themselves. For example, hearing dogs make their handlers aware of sounds like the doorbell or alarms; guide dogs help blind people find their way around the world; service dogs help individuals in wheelchairs access items or perform tasks they cannot; and medical alert dogs help protect individuals with unpredictable illnesses like epilepsy.

Service dogs undergo special training, which can take up to two years for the training, testing, and certification. Bad habits can be difficult to “unteach,” so it’s essential that dogs train with a reputable service dog trainer who is a fully accredited member of a certified training company such as Assistance Dogs International.

Since they undergo rigorous training and are essential to the wellbeing of their handlers, service dogs are allowed with their handlers in public spaces, as long as they do not act aggressively.

Working Dogs

Working dogs are trained to perform tasks for a specific purpose, other than enhancing accessibility for a specific individual. The working dogs with which you’re probably the most familiar are police dogs that help law enforcement and herding dogs that protect their flocks, but there are all sorts of working dogs trained to perform a variety of jobs to help their human companions.

For example, search and rescue dogs are used in missing persons cases, emergencies, and natural disasters to help rescue teams locate people fast. Explosive detection dogs work with the police, military, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to detect and locate hazardous materials. Allergy alert dogs are trained to protect their handlers by sniffing out specific allergens, like peanuts, in everyday situations. Working dogs have even been trained to detect cancer cells in humans with incredible accuracy.

Most working dogs use a keen sense of smell to protect their handlers and help their human companions carry out important jobs. For this reason, breeds with exceptional noses, like bloodhounds and German shepherds, are often chosen for these tasks.

Therapy Dogs

According to the International Association of Canine Professionals, there are a couple of different types of therapy dogs, but all of them are considered pets and are not provided public access under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The first type is group therapy dogs, which have been trained to work with groups of people, providing outreach and support such as to those spending time in hospitals, in assisted living facilities, or in prisons. For these dogs, early socialization is an essential part of their training, as reacting calmly to new people, loud noises, affection, and unpredictable situations is important for their ability to function as therapy dogs.

There are also emotional support dogs that provide comfort, companionship, therapy, emotional support, or therapeutic benefits to individuals suffering from depression and a variety of anxiety disorders. It’s not necessary for emotional support dogs to undergo any special training and the ADA does not permit them in public spaces like it does for service dogs. With a doctor’s letter, emotional support dogs are permitted to live in housing where pets are not normally permitted and depending on the specific airline’s policies, they are also usually allowed passage on airplanes with proper documentation.

One Health Initiative Unites Human & Veterinary Medicine for a Healthier World

As our population increases, humans continue to encroach on wildlands and animals, resulting in the sharing of infectious organisms. As a consequence, the world has experienced an increase in new diseases, which is not only affecting individual people, but also livestock, pets, and the economies of the world.

One Health Initiative Unites Human & Veterinary Medicine for a Healthier World

As our population increases, humans continue to encroach on wildlands and animals, resulting in the sharing of infectious organisms. As a consequence, the world has experienced an increase in new diseases, which is not only affecting individual people, but also livestock, pets, and the economies of the world.

Thirty-five recently emerged diseases (such as West Nile virus, monkeypox, Ebola, SARS, and prion diseases) have zoonotic or vector-borne origins. This means they’re transmissible between animals and humans, either directly or via insects. It’s estimated that 75% of all emerging and re-emerging diseases fall into these two categories.

In response, organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, The American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and several others have thrown their support to the One Health Initiative.

What Is One Health?

Endorsed and supported by nearly 1,000 scientists worldwide and a long list of national health, medical, veterinary, and agricultural organizations, the One Health Initiative is a movement which aims to create opportunities for equal, all-inclusive collaboration between a range of medical and veterinary professionals and others working in disciplines related to health and the environment.

The One Health Initiative

The One Health Initiative recognizes the unavoidable interconnectedness of humans, animals, the environment, and health. In spite of this enmeshment, the structures of our scientific, medical, and veterinary communities and their respective education systems are quite separate. This has deleteriously led to siloed information.

In a direct response to the increasing concern over the threat which zoonotic diseases and significant outbreaks have on people and animals, the One Health Initiative hopes to increase cooperation and decrease communication barriers within these currently disconnected disciplines.

The Initiative has outlined goals, which include integrating the educational systems of veterinary medical schools, human medical schools, and public health schools. The One Health Initiative also hopes to facilitate cross-discipline communication by means of conferences, health networks, and publications in professional journals. One Health is also working to support additional research on cross-species diseases and their transmission. This includes increased surveillance and the implementation of improved control systems.

Another primary goal of One Health is to inform the public and educate political leaders in order to encourage cooperation between researchers, scientists, medical and veterinary professionals, and industry. The initiative is working to foster partnerships between government, industry, and academia to further the evaluation and development of new diagnostic tools, treatments, and preventative measures, like vaccines, to better control the transmission of disease.

Why Collaboration Is Better for Everyone

Zoonotic diseases threaten wild animals, pets, livestock, and people. Improved interdisciplinary collaboration will result in increased knowledge and better strategies for preventing the increasing threat of contagious disease.

Why Do Ticks Suck So Bad?

Ticks are a growing concern in the United States. Changing migration patterns, climate patterns, deforestation, and warmer winters are leading to more ticks in wider spread areas and are making them a year-round pest in most of the country. These parasites that can be as small as poppy seeds will attach to mammals and feed off of their blood.

Why Do Ticks Suck So Bad?

Ticks are a growing concern in the United States. Changing migration patterns, climate patterns, deforestation, and warmer winters are leading to more ticks in wider spread areas and are making them a year-round pest in most of the country. These parasites that can be as small as poppy seeds will attach to mammals and feed off of their blood. Unfortunately, that’s not the worst they can do; they’re also responsible for spreading a long list of serious diseases that can be contracted by both humans and animals.

What Diseases Do Ticks Carry?

The most common diseases carried by ticks include:

  • Lyme Disease
  • Ehrlichiosis
  • Anaplasmosis
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
  • Bartonellosis
  • Babesiosis
  • Hepatozoonosis

Why It's Tough to Get Ahead of Ticks and Lyme Disease

Lyme disease comes from a type of bacteria called spirochetes. Outer surface proteins comprise the exterior of the bacteria, and these proteins change and adapt, depending on the environment. While inside a tick that’s not feeding, the bacterial proteins are different from when the tick is feeding, and they change after a tick feeds and the bacteria enter a mammal.

The Good News for Your Dog

A very technologically-novel vaccine has been developed that attacks the Lyme bacteria while they are still in the tick. The vaccine targets the protein that is present in the bacteria when it is still in the tick, leading to destruction of the bacteria while still in the tick, thus blocking transmission into the mammal’s blood.

Why Your Dog Can Get a Lyme Disease Vaccination, but You Can't

A Lyme disease vaccine, called LYMErix, for humans was available and on the market briefly in the 1990s and 2000s. It was pulled from the market largely due to the poor timing of its release, which closely coincided with the beginnings of the anti-vaccine movement and false reports that linked autism to the MMR vaccine. Although it was successful and initially administered to a large group of people, it’s sales plummeted following the onslaught of negative media. Two pharmaceutical companies are currently devoting resources to the development of a human-grade Lyme vaccine, but it’s not clear when they’ll be available.

Ask our Veterinarians How to Protect Your Dog from Tick-Borne Illness

The best way to protect your pets from ticks and all of the diseases they carry is with tick preventatives. These come in the form of topical treatments, oral tablets, and medicated collars. Depending on the size and species of the pets in your household and whether you also have small children, our veterinarians can help you choose a tick preventative that will be safe for the whole family. For more advice regarding Lyme Disease vaccines, Lyme Disease testing, and tick prevention, please ask our veterinarian at your dog’s next wellness appointment.

How to Be a Responsible Pet Owner: 5 Must-Dos

Adopting a pet is mostly about cuddles, wet noses, fuzzies, and love, but there is actually more to responsible pet ownership than friendship. When you adopt your pet, you’re making a commitment to provide all the care they need for the entirety of their lives.

How to Be a Responsible Pet Owner: 5 Must-Dos

Adopting a pet is mostly about cuddles, wet noses, fuzzies, and love, but there is actually more to responsible pet ownership than friendship. When you adopt your pet, you’re making a commitment to provide all the care they need for the entirety of their lives. While it’s essential to show your pet affection, you also need to provide your pet a few essentials to ensure they live a long, healthy life so that you can truly call yourself a responsible pet owner.

5 Essentials for Successful Pet Ownership

1. Create a Safe Environment

Whether your pet lives primarily indoors or outdoors, it’s your responsibility to make sure the environment is safe and suitable for your pet. Be sure any potentially harmful substances (such as medications, cleaning products and other household chemicals, electrical wires, or unstable, heavy furniture) are out of your pet’s reach. Make sure your pet’s outdoor environment has shelter from the elements (sun and storm), plenty of water, a secure fence or other enclosure, and is clear from brush that will attract fleas, ticks, and mosquitos.

2. Provide Enrichment

Pets need to keep their minds busy. You can enrich their lives by providing opportunities for play, exercise, and safe exploration. There are also a multitude of toys that can be purchased to stimulate your pet for the times when they may have to play by themselves. Cats also enjoy scratching posts and climbing trees to engage their need for tactile sensory needs.

3. Feed a Balanced Diet

The first step to keeping your pet healthy is providing them with the complete nutrition they need. We welcome you to ask our veterinarians to recommend a safe, healthy, age-appropriate diet that will meet all of your pet’s specific nutritional needs. We can also help you navigate the complex world of nutritional supplements for pets who have chronic medical conditions or are at risk of developing them.

4. Be Prepared for Medical Needs

Caring for your pet in between veterinary appointments is essential, but it’s also important that you’re prepared to meet your pet’s medical care needs. This will include regular wellness visits, vaccinations, dental care, and aging or end-of-life care. This might entail saving for expected and unexpected medical costs and/or purchasing a pet insurance policy.

5. Set Your Pet Up for Success with Training

Just like children, pets need our guidance when it comes to learning the proper way to behave. Use positive reinforcement to provide your pet with obedience training to ensure they stay out of trouble. If you need a little extra help with this, our team can recommend some trainers in the area.

Establish Care with Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital

Planning to adopt a new furry friend? We welcome you to establish care with Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital. Our experienced, friendly staff and veterinarians provide our pet patients with comprehensive, individualized care. To learn more about our services or for more information about how to successfully add a pet to your family, contact our office today.

Making Sense of 7 Common Pet Food Terms

Grain-Free, Organic, Human-grade, Byproducts, Filler, Natural, Holistic… With so many terms out there thrown around, it’s hard to know the true meaning and what you’re actually buying for your pet. Read this blog post to get some clarity!

Making Sense of 7 Common Pet Food Terms

1. Grain-Free

 

It’s a common misconception that grain-free foods are better for pets than those including grains.  Both foods are equally digestible, and grain-free pet foods still contain carbohydrates from other sources, like sweet potatoes and lentils.  In addition, grains are actually highly unlikely to cause food allergies. The rare food allergic animal will be allergic to the animal protein in the diet, not the carbohydrate!  Plus, recent FDA findings have shown a link between certain grain-free diets and heart disease in dogs.

2. Organic

 

Organic pet foods and animal feeds are required to adhere to the rules and regulations outlined by the USDA’s National Organic Program. As a result, you can expect the same standards in pet food that contains an organic label as you would expect from food deemed fit for human consumption with the same label.

 

3. Human-grade

 

This term is strictly a marketing term and has no definition in any animal feed regulations.   In fact, it is not a term used in human food either; the USDA defines products fit for human consumption to be officially “edible”.  These “human edible” foodstuffs have been processed, inspected and passed process control regulations that are designed to assure safety for consumption by humans. As such, extremely few pet food products could be considered officially “human edible” or “human-grade”. 

4. Byproducts

 

Byproducts get an undeserved bad rap, with rumors of them containing non-nutritional ingredients.  In fact, byproducts are any part of the animal leftover after the muscle meat has been removed but still delivers high nutritional value.  Examples include organ meats for protein and bones for Calcium. Furthermore, according to the regulatory definition of byproducts, it specifically EXCLUDES hair, hooves, horns, hide trimmings, manure and intestinal contents, as well as anything that is not specifically part of the carcass (e.g., floor sweepings, trash).

5. Filler

 

On a pet food label, the term “filler” has no official definition. In veterinary nutrition, it’s used to describe a dietary component that might have no nutritional value, but provides fiber.  Fiber can be beneficial for pets on a weight control program or who need the extra fiber for digestive or colon health. 

6. Natural

 

The meaning of the term “natural” is unclear when it comes to pet food. Although AAFCO provides a definition of “natural” with regard to pet food, not all states are required to comply with AAFCO regulations, and the FDA has not defined the term specific to pet food.  As it stands:

  • There’s no evidence that natural foods are healthier than those produced by synthetic processes.
  • The term natural includes more ingredients than it excludes.
  • Pet food can be subject to several processes and include chemical additives and still be considered natural.

 

7. Holistic

 

With regard to pet food, the term “holistic” has no regulated or established meaning. When you see “holistic” on pet food packaging, remember that it’s simply a term used for marketing purposes.

Complete Nutrition for Your Pet at Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital

 

To stay healthy, pets need a complete balance of nutrients and amino acids which are derived from both plant and animal sources. When selecting your pet’s food, consider these questions and guidelines provided by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.

 When in doubt, our veterinarians can also help you select high-quality foods and treats based on your pet’s individual health, activity level, and dietary needs. For more information, we welcome you to contact our office.