The 5 Most Trusted Vet Tips That Could Be Harming Your Dog

Mistake #1: Feeding Ultra-Processed Kibble

Why It’s a Problem

Kibble is convenient, affordable, and marketed as “complete and balanced.” But what those commercials don’t tell you is that:

💠 Many kibbles use feed-grade ingredients — including diseased animal material — made “safe” only by extreme heat processing.

💠 That processing destroys natural nutrients, forcing companies to add synthetic vitamins and minerals back in.

💠 High heat also creates carcinogens like aromatic amines.

💠 Most kibble is high in starch, which causes blood sugar spikes and contributes to obesity.

💠 It’s low in moisture, putting dogs in a state of chronic dehydration.

💠 Mycotoxins, storage mites, and artificial dyes add even more health risks.

What to Do Instead

The healthiest diet for dogs is fresh, whole, and minimally processed:

✔️ Best Choice: Raw or gently cooked commercial or DIY balanced diets made with human-grade ingredients.

✔️ Good Choice: Dehydrated, freeeze-dried  or air-dried diets made with human-grade ingredients.

• If Kibble Is Your Only Option:

  • Pick non-extruded brands with no artificial preservatives, GMO grains, or legumes.

  • Boost every meal with fresh foods, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Mistake #2: Over-Vaccination

Why It’s a Problem

Vaccines save lives — but giving them more often than necessary can harm your dog’s immune system, trigger chronic inflammation, and even shorten their life.

After over 24 years in emergency medicine, I’ve seen first-hand the tragic consequences of over-vaccination:

💠 Senior dogs developing fatal immune-mediated hemolytic anemia just weeks after a “routine” booster.

💠 Dogs suffering severe allergic reactions year after year, reactions that worsen with each dose.

💠 Vaccine-site cancerous tumors that can be terminal.

💠 Puppies receiving repeated, multi-antigen vaccines too early—before maternal antibodies fade—can dangerously overstimulate the immune system, sometimes triggering fatal immune-mediated bone marrow failure (aplastic anemia).

Core vaccines (parvo, distemper, rabies) have been proven to last 7–15 years — yet many dogs still receive them annually. This isn’t science-based medicine; it's an outdated habit, and in some cases, corporate or pharmaceutical profit. The American Animal Hospital Association itself states: “No vaccine is always safe, no vaccine is always protective, and no vaccine is always indicated.”

Another concern: toy breeds receive the exact same vaccine dose as giant breeds, despite being more prone to reactions. We’d never give a Chihuahua the same dose of antibiotics as a Great Dane — why should vaccines be different?

What to Do Instead

✔️ Know the difference: Core vaccines = rabies, distemper, parvo. Non-core = bordetella, lepto, Lyme, influenza, etc.

✔️ Titer test first: This simple blood test checks immunity so you can avoid unnecessary boosters.

✔️ Follow a thoughtful protocol:

◽ Puppy: 2 distemper/parvo vaccines after 12 weeks of age- 4 weeks apart.  Titer test  2–4 weeks after final vaccine to confirm immunity.

◽ Rabies at 6 months (per state law), then again in 1 year.

◽ After that: Core vaccines or titers every 3 years for distemper/parvo. Rabies per state law.

✔️ Skip non-core vaccines unless your dog’s lifestyle and location truly require them.

✔️ Find a vet who supports individualized vaccination and is open to discussing titers.

What if your groomer or kennel requires non-core vaccines? Find ones who don't or find other options that will not harm your dog's health.

Vaccination should protect your dog — not put them at risk. By tailoring your dog’s protocol, you can prevent life-threatening side effects while still guarding against serious disease. 

Mistake #3: Harmful Pesticide Use: The Hidden Cost of Flea & Tick Prevention

Why It’s a Problem

Shielding our dogs from fleas and ticks can feel overwhelming. Dog guardians are bombarded with product options, conflicting veterinary advice, and fear-driven messaging about the risks of not using preventatives.

Most conventional flea and tick preventatives—whether spot-on, oral, or collars—contain chemicals that may control pests but also carry serious risks. As an emergency veterinarian, I’ve treated dogs with severe reactions to these products, from skin burns and seizures to long-term neurological issues.

The problem isn’t just acute toxicity—it’s cumulative exposure. Many of these pesticides are given monthly for years, yet safety studies from manufacturers (like Zoetis) often only span a few months. Over time, these repeated doses add to your dog’s toxic burden, and I can’t ignore the possible connection between heavy preventative use and the rising rates of cancer, immune-mediated disease, and chronic illness in dogs.

Here’s what you need to know about some common active ingredients:

💠 Pyrethrins & Pyrethroids – Linked to nerve and brain damage, seizures, heart failure, and even death. Classified by the EPA as likely human carcinogens.

💠 Fipronil – Associated with thyroid cancer, liver/kidney toxicity, and behavioral changes. Found in products like Frontline®.

💠 Isoxazolines – The FDA has issued warnings for serious neurologic events including seizures. Includes Bravecto®, NexGard®, Simparica®, Credelio®.

💠 Imidacloprid – A neurotoxin tied to organ damage and reduced clotting ability. Found in Seresto® collars and Advantage®.

While the marketing makes these products seem routine and safe, the long-term health cost to our dogs is significant, not to mention the family's exposure to these chemicals. That’s why it’s so important to weigh the risks and consider safer alternatives.

What To Do Instead 

✔️ Choose natural, non-toxic options that protect without harming your dog’s health. Safe, vet-approved garlic dosing can make your dog less appealing to pests from the inside out, while apple cider vinegar in the diet or as a rinse can help repel fleas and ticks. Plant-based essential oil sprays (formulated specifically for dogs), Baltic amber collars, and diatomaceous earth for bedding or yard areas create an inhospitable environment for pests.

✔️ Practice proactive yard management — keep grass short, remove leaf litter, and create a barrier of cedar chips or gravel between wooded areas and your lawn to reduce tick migration. Get chickens and Guinea hens-my chickens have greatly reduced the tick burden in our yard 🤗

✔️ Support your dog’s natural defenses — a strong immune system makes your dog less attractive to pests and better able to handle incidental bites. This means feeding a fresh, whole-food diet, avoiding unnecessary chemical exposures, and using supplements like omega-3s and medicinal mushrooms to boost resilience.

An integrated, toxin-free approach not only reduces the risk of pest-borne illness but also protects your dog’s liver, kidneys, and long-term vitality. The goal isn’t just to kill pests — it’s to create a healthier, less attractive target so your dog can thrive pest-free for years to come.

Mistake #4: Spaying and Neutering Too Early

Why It’s a Problem

In the U.S., an estimated 83% of dogs are spayed or neutered before one year of age — a rate far higher than in most European countries, where early sterilization is discouraged and rarely promoted by animal health authorities.

The main drivers for early spay/neuter in the U.S. are:

◽ Population control

◽ The belief is that it prevents mammary and prostate cancers

◽ To stop or prevent “male-type” behaviors such as marking or roaming

While well-intentioned, studies now show this practice can cause significant harm to a dog’s long-term health and behavior. Juvenile spaying and neutering are linked to higher rates of debilitating joint disorders, certain cancers, urinary incontinence, and even behavioral problems.

💠 Orthopedic Problems

Sex hormones play a vital role in bone growth and joint health. Removing them too early disrupts the normal closure of growth plates, increasing the risk of:

◽ Hip Dysplasia (HD) – Early-neutered males had double the rate of HD compared to intact males.

◽ Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Tears – Zero cases in intact dogs vs. up to 8% in early-neutered females.

◽ Elbow Dysplasia (ED) – Incidence more than doubled when neutered before a year.

💠 Increased Cancer Risk

Multiple studies have linked early sterilization to higher rates of:

◽ Bone Cancer (Osteosarcoma) – Rottweilers neutered before 1 year had a 1 in 4 lifetime risk.

◽ Hemangiosarcoma – Four times more common in late-spayed females than intact.

◽ Lymphosarcoma (LSA) – Early-neutered males had triple the rate compared to intact.

◽ Mast Cell Tumors (MCT) – Found in up to 6% of late-spayed females vs. none in intact females.

💠 Urinary Incontinence & Reproductive Tract Issues

Females spayed before puberty face higher risks of:

◽ Urinary incontinence (up to 7.3% in dogs spayed between 6–11 months)

◽ Recessed vulva, vaginal dermatitis, vaginitis — all leading to chronic urinary tract infections

💠 Behavioral Concerns

Despite the hope of preventing aggression or roaming, early spay/neuter can worsen behaviors or create new ones:

◽ Increased emotional instability

◽ Higher rates of owner-directed aggression

◽ More pronounced anxiety and exaggerated fear responses

What To Do Instead 

✔️ Population Control vs. Individual Health

Overpopulation is real — roughly 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. shelters each year — but solving this crisis shouldn’t come at the expense of each dog’s long-term health.
Potential alternatives include:

◽ Vasectomy for males

◽ Ovary-sparing spay for females

◽ Legislation to hold guardians accountable, rather than automatically sterilizing all puppies by 6 months

✔️ Bottom Line

The outdated “spay/neuter by 6 months” blanket recommendation ignores a growing body of evidence that delaying or choosing hormone-sparing options can lead to healthier, longer-lived dogs. Each decision should be based on the individual dog, their breed risks, lifestyle, and health status — not just tradition.

Mistake #5: Stressing About Their Health

As a veterinarian and founder of the Dog Mom Society, I’ve seen firsthand the fierce devotion dog guardians bring to their dogs’ health. It’s inspiring. But sometimes, that love comes with an invisible pressure—this feeling that if you research enough, choose the right supplements, feed the perfect diet, and avoid every possible toxin, you can guarantee a long, healthy life.

It comes from the purest place—deep, unconditional love. But it can also steal the joy out of everyday life. You start second-guessing every choice, feeling guilty if you miss a walk, or worrying that a single mistake could undo all your hard work.

✔️ The Need to “Get It Right”

When it comes to our dog’s health, it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of:

◽ Trying every new product or supplement that promises better health

◽ Obsessing over the “perfect” diet or exercise plan

◽ Watching and analyzing every symptom, itch, or sneeze

◽ Reading articles late into the night, looking for reassurance that you’re doing enough

I’ve been there. In my early years as a dog guardian, I believed my job was to find the right answer to everything—like there was one magic combination of care, nutrition, and treatment that would guarantee my dog’s perfect health. But over time, I learned something important: our dogs don’t need us to get it perfect. They need us to be present.

✔️ Advocacy vs. Anxiety

Advocating for your dog means asking good questions, making informed choices, and building a plan that feels right for you and your dog.
Anxiety-driven care, on the other hand, comes from fear—fear of making the wrong choice, fear of not doing enough, fear of missing something.

The truth? There’s no such thing as perfect health care. Even if you could do everything “right,” life still happens. And that’s okay.

✔️ Letting Go of Perfection

Empowered guardianship means:

◽ Doing your best with the knowledge and resources you have

◽ Creating a health plan that feels aligned with your values

◽ Finding a trusted support system so you don’t have to figure it all out alone

◽ Letting go of the belief that you can control everything

Because here’s the thing—our dogs aren’t keeping score on how many supplements we give or how many articles we’ve read. They’re feeling our energy. They want our calm presence, not our constant worry.

When we release some of the pressure to “get it all right,” we create space for more connection, more play, and more joy in the everyday moments that matter most.