Queenie’s Pet Myths Busting: The Veterinary Edition
Debunking Common Pet - Related Misconceptions
-With Hakim Franklin, Owner of Mt. Airy Animal Hospital
In the on-going commitment to Queenie’s core value, “Always learning, always growing,” this series is intended to cut through the noise so you can actually know what to listen to and what to tune out. During our March LIVE, we partnered with Hakim Franklin, owner of Mt. Airy Animal Hospital, with whom we have worked in close connection for upwards of 18 years. This episode focused on the health and medical side of pet parenting.
Myth 1: “One year of a dog's life is equal to seven human years.”
It was long believed that the math should be seven to one when comparing human to dog lives. Now with everything we know about dogs more holistically, there are more factors at play.
For example, size, diet, and hygiene play a crucial role in maximizing your pet’s lifespan. Another often-ignored major health indicator is your pet's teeth and gums, as oral health is directly connected to cardiovascular health. Our selection of dental products offers multiple approaches to handling your pet’s oral health.
It’s important to note that , while not true 100% of the time, the larger the dog, the shorter the lifespan and the smaller the dog, the longer the lifespan. Keep this in mind if you are looking to have a relationship with your dog into the double digits. Size really does matter!
At Queenie's PetsⓇ, we provide the perfect balance of nutrition and flavor in our premium food options found in our health and wellness department. Trust us; your pet’s gonna thank you for this!
Myth 2: “Pets eat grass because they are sick.”
There are several reasons why your pet is eating grass. Yes, pets eating grass could mean that they are trying to remedy nausea or a nutritional deficiency. On the other hand, your pet may eat grass just because it tastes good!
Of course, we are big fans of letting pets be the animals that they are, but beware when allowing your pet to ingest grass in public areas. More times than not, public parks and places treat their grass with chemicals that can cause major long-term health issues to your furry friend. If you find your pup constantly eating grass, visit us at Queenie's PetsⓇ so we can help find the perfect foods and/or supplements to boost your pet’s wellness.
If grass isn’t cutting the craving, dogs will even eat dirt! Indeed, it means that your dog is missing key nutrients and minerals in their diet. As this is a common issue seen in dogs and cats, we keep our store stocked with vitamins and supplements to fuel your pet’s wag!
Myth 3: “Never change your pet’s food.”
Very outdated “wisdom” is that you should pick a food and feed that to your pets for their entire life. Just like humans, pets need a variety of nutrients for their wellness, but they also get bored eating the same thing over and over. We don’t want to eat the same meal all the time and we would miss key nutrients if that's what we did, and your pet is no different! Yes, changing up your pet’s diet CAN cause minor discomfort, but Queenie’s has a wide swath of dietary supplements that help with food change transitions, such as Firm Up. Researching and implementing a core rotational diet (especially at a pet’s young age) will ensure a healthy gut biome.
We are big fans of not only rotating protein sources (every protein source has a different amino acid profile) but also food types. For instance, if you primarily feed dry food incorporate wet food every so often, and if you primarily feed a raw diet, incorporate freeze-dried foods now and then as well. Mix and match, have fun, learn their true preferences, and never ever say “When he’s hungry enough he’ll eat it.” If your pets won’t eat the food you’re giving them, they don’t like it, and you need to find what they do like!
One size doesn’t fit all pets, that’s why we’re here to help! A healthy diet looks different, depending on each pet’s needs. Queenie's PetsⓇ is here to help navigate the vast world of pet foods to find what works best for you and your pet.
Myth 4: “Stick to the status quo protein.”
Chicken, pork, beef… OH MY! Although these are GREAT protein sources for your pet, they may not always be the perfect match. There is a chance that your pet may have or eventually develop food intolerances to common sources. What do you do when this happens? Well, novelty proteins could be your answer. A novelty protein is an uncommon animal protein that dogs and cats have had little exposure to. Examples of novelty proteins are venison, rabbit, beaver, kangaroo…yes, we said kangaroo.
Why switch to novelty proteins? The benefit of novelty proteins is that you are giving your pet something that their digestive system has not yet acclimated to. This means that novelty proteins are a strong method to manage food allergy and food intolerance development. Bonus! They are often more sustainably sourced and closer to what your pet might naturally predate in the wild. I bet your pup or even your kitty is more likely to hunt down a rabbit than a cow in the wild!
Before switching up your pet’s diet, we recommend trying our Food and Environmental Intolerance Test to understand which foods are best and also not the best for your pet’s health as well as learning if an intolerance is actually something in their environment instead of their food, which is often the case. This test simply requires a small hair sample that you send into the lab to identify impacts to your pet caused by their food and environment.
Consider these Pet Myths Busted!
At Queenie's PetsⓇ, our commitment extends beyond merely providing products; we're here to be your trusted partner in navigating the vast sea of information (and misinformation) about pet care. We understand that every pet is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to their health and happiness. That’s why we’re dedicated to offering personalized support, high-quality nutritional options, and innovative solutions to meet the individual needs of your furry family members.
Remember, the path to optimal pet health is a journey, not a destination. It’s about making informed choices, learning from our pets, and sometimes, debunking a myth or two along the way. We’re honored to accompany you and your pet on this journey, providing the expertise, products, and encouragement in Making the Lives of Pets & Their Humans Better Ⓡ.
Thank you for trusting Queenie's Pets Ⓡ as your go-to source for all things pet wellness. Together, we’ll continue to challenge misconceptions, embrace new knowledge, and celebrate the joy our pets bring into our lives every single day.
