Author Archives: skeptvet

Are Vegan Diets Healthier for Dogs & Cats?

IntroductionGiven the media frenzy the article has kicked off, it is unlikely very many people are unaware of a recent study reported in the journal PLOS One that claims to show vegan diets are healthier for dogs and cats than … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 18 Comments

Do Dogs Like Music? (Evidence Update)

Over the roughly 13 years I have been writing this blog, I have covered quite a few different topics, though with all I have maintained the central theme of evaluating claims about pet health from a science-based perspective. Part of … Continue reading

Posted in General | 5 Comments

Does eating a Raw Diet as a Puppy Reduce later Allergy Risk?

I have written many times about the controversial subject of raw diets for dogs. The bottom line, based on existing evidence, is there are no proven health benefits to these diets and several well-documented risks, including infectious disease and nutritional … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 4 Comments

PEMF (Assisi Loop) for Separation Anxiety in Dogs- A new Study

A recurring topic here over the years has been pulsed electromagnet field therapies. I have reviewed evidence concerning these in 2009 and 2020 (twice), and my conclusions have always been- The therapy is biologically plausible The evidence is weak The claims for these devices … Continue reading

Posted in General | 1 Comment

The Bell Tolls for Resveratrol

Only the most dedicated followers of this blog are likely to remember this (are there any?), but way back in 2009, I first wrote about resveratrol in an article about supplements for cognitive dysfunction and brain aging in dogs. My … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 2 Comments

What is a Conflict of Interest?

One of the most common objections I see to my promotion of science-based treatments is that the scientific evidence supporting them is invalid because it is tainted by some association with Big Pharma, Big Kibble, or some other industry bogeyman. … Continue reading

Posted in General, Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 3 Comments

SkeptVet EBVM Column Makes VPN Top Ten List

My monthly evidence-based medicine column for Veterinary Practice News took the top two spots in this year’s list of top ten feature articles! You can find links to all of my columns right here.

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | 3 Comments

What are General Practice Vets Good For?

From VPN+ “We must provide an outlet for the creative faculties…And it is this challenge which is recognized by every graduate who turns away from practice, disillusioned by his or her inability to find satisfaction in a situation where…the expectations … Continue reading

Posted in General | 4 Comments

Fresh Diets for Pets: Are they Healthier than Kibble or Canned?

Nutrition is one of the most frequent subjects my clients want to discuss, and often one of the most controversial. Raw diets,1 vegetarian or vegan pet foods,2 ketogenic diets for pets,3 the significance of “artificial” versus “natural” pet food ingredients,4 and the fundamental question … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 26 Comments

Book Review- The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer

Regular readers may have noticed I’ve become a bit obsessed with canine aging biology lately.  I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on, from journal articles and textbooks to popular science books. I’ve also been writing about the subject … Continue reading

Posted in Aging Science, Book Reviews | 33 Comments