Originally Posted by Britster (Post 4662880)

I truly agree. I don't even know how I feel about the commercials aired in the US for human medications -- it's gotten quite ridiculous to watch so many them during my TV shows etc touting miracle drugs listed with 98343822029 side effects. I think they are banned in other countries from doing that.

In a perfect world, the veterinarian field wouldn't be dominated by 3 major companies. But, it is for now and unfortunately they've done the most research. I don't see any better companies trying to make their way into vets offices or fund studies but maybe I'm missing something. Wysong is the only one I've personally seen that formulates RX foods and that I've seen some vets selling.

I go to a vet who is a good blend of modern and "holistic" medicine. I love it. They treat the individual dog. They don't push any particular product. They have a few options in their lobby to purchase treat-wise and a few toys and collars.

Like what I definitely don't agree with: a client bringing their dog to the vet for a wellness check-up, let's say the dog is eating Orijen, and checked out perfectly healthy during exam/bloodwork and vet states that the dog would be better off on Science Diet and to switch. No, I wouldn't put up with that blatant favoritism. If dog is having constant diarrhea, throwing up, etc, and the vet can't seem to find anything else that could be wrong and they maybe recommend one of their RX diets to try... then yes, that's fine. It may very well help the dog. And I don't like when people will continue to watch their dog suffer just to feed the "better" food when ya know what? maybe their dog NEEDS the RX food to be happy and thrive.

Originally Posted by Farleys (Post 4662815)

I could care less if they make money off it . I just thinks its funny how many people try to say they dont. They do make profit from it. They wouldnt sell it if they didnt. But thats how everything works . People sell things to make money. The pet stores who sell acana make profit and get xtra coupons as well. And our vet clinic sells all the prescription food along with regular food since you thought i meant something diff

Originally Posted by gracielove (Post 4662812)

I think Orijin is manufactured in Canada. They may have different standards. I haven't checked it out lately. So many pet food companies get bought up by larger corporations, change their standards, but keep the same brand name. You have to investigate to know what is going on.

As far as vets go....some are more informed about pet food than others. In the US many veterinary schools get funding and product from large pet food corporations. Then the pet food companies are there in whatever form of practice the vet goes into. Most veterinary offices are given plenty of product, advertising, and samples from pet food companies. I would not call it a kick back but those big pet food corporations are there from the start of a vets education right into every part of their career. Whether or not it influences them is pretty much an individual choice just as advertising on TV may influence some people and not others.

It's not much different in human doctor's offices. Representatives from various drug companies are always trying to influence doctors to use their products with a multitude of perks that can be very inviting and costly. The consumer ends up paying for that expense. I have seen it for years where I work, free lunches and dinners at the best restaurants, tickets to ballgames, free samples, various items with brand names printed on them, the list goes on. Pharmaceuticals cost more in the US than anywhere else. Some states are trying to stop this kind of influence in medical practice but where big money is concerned change comes slowly.

Influence peddling is involved in most big business and veterinary practice is no different. Every vet has to decide for themselves if they are going to be influenced or not.

Originally Posted by Farleys (Post 4662815)

I could care less if they make money off it . I just thinks its funny how many people try to say they dont. They do make profit from it. They wouldnt sell it if they didnt. But thats how everything works . People sell things to make money. The pet stores who sell acana make profit and get xtra coupons as well. And our vet clinic sells all the prescription food along with regular food since you thought i meant something diff

Originally Posted by RockyDad (Post 4662891)

Actually the federal government has stopped pharmaceutical companies from giving away things a few years ago. This process is highly regulated. They now can only offer food up to a certain amount per person and there has to be an educational component to it, i.e. A lecture otherwise the pharmaceutical companies get very hefty fines from the federal government. Since Vets aren't held up to the same standards as human doctors this isn't regulated. I just recently found out that if a vet kills your dog because of a mistake he/she makes the worst you can sue them for is loss of property.

Originally Posted by Britster (Post 4662792)

The whole "vet making money off food" thing is so exaggerated. I used to believe it too. If anything most vets find it to be a pain to stock the food because it's not like it's flying off the shelves and it takes extra time to do special orders and get it shipped. The RX foods are for the dogs who really need it so they need to have them in stock as an option.

In my non-professional opinion, do a majority of vets support brands like Science Diet, Purina and Royal Canin? Yes. The reason for that could be debated. Those companies do often provide literature and free stuff to vets in school as well as vets offices. Is there a bias? Yeah, likely. But these foods, in general, are studied and proven and aren't going to (likely) kill a dog. They have research to back them up. A vet simply does not have time to research *every* brand of food out there and give an opinion on it. Let's say a vet recommended Taste of the Wild and then a dog gets sick from it and dies. The owner will come in and likely point the finger at the vet for recommending the food. I guess, simply put.... they stick with what "works". Maybe it's not ideal (I'm not a huge fan of a majority of formulas of these 3 brands but I can find at least one formula I would feed -- I've also learned reading ingredients is only a small portion of dog food... how they formulate it, balance it, manufacture it is more important).

I am kind of curious to know why people think it's so terrible for vets to make a kick-back on anything they sell in the first place. Why not? They went to YEARS of school, likely took out student loans galore, and are there to help your pet (I believe a majority of veterinarians are not in it for financial gain -- some? Probably are, but most are probably not). But vets need to make a living too and there is nothing wrong with ensuring you can run a business as well.

My vets office sells The Honest Kitchen in their lobby, a food considered much 'higher end' -- would folks perception change if the food was "better"... or would it STILL be bad for the vet to be making ANY financial gain on this food?

Originally Posted by Debraelaine (Post 4664440)

My Beiwer was crazy eating high protein Orijen. She was very aggressive, anxious and could not settle down. Acted like she had attention deficit. I was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with her, til I read some articles on the high protein and aggressiveness. It was amazing how switching to a low protein food changed her demeanor and ability to learn. I think some dogs can not process all that protein and it can cause behavior problems as it did with her. Lucky to figure out when she was young and it is easier to change her behavior and aggression

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4664433)

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Totally agree.

Vets make very, very little profit off the foods/treats they sell, in almost all cases. I don't have a problem w/ them making a bit of money off food. I only wish they were actually educated about nutrition (I mean, *really* educated), sold better/different foods, and weren't dominated by Science Diet etcetera.

The money doesn't bother me, really; what does bother me is when people sell things that they actually know VERY, very little about....and that's how it is w/ vets selling food. That's why it ultimately bothers me some.

In nutrition, I truly do feel it's up to the consumer to educate themselves and then advocate for their dogs' nutrition.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4664433)

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Totally agree.

Vets make very, very little profit off the foods/treats they sell, in almost all cases. I don't have a problem w/ them making a bit of money off food. I only wish they were actually educated about nutrition (I mean, *really* educated), sold better/different foods, and weren't dominated by Science Diet etcetera.

The money doesn't bother me, really; what does bother me is when people sell things that they actually know VERY, very little about....and that's how it is w/ vets selling food. That's why it ultimately bothers me some.

In nutrition, I truly do feel it's up to the consumer to educate themselves and then advocate for their dogs' nutrition.