He doesn’t want to put his dog in harm’s way (stock) (Image: Getty)
A has issued a warning to all dog owners about the ‘unseen dangers’ they could be putting their in on a daily basis. Dr Marcus Dela Cruz, who is known as @thefriendlyvet on social media, works as an emergency veterinarian in Berkeley, CA – and he has recently taken to to urge owners against taking their pets to dog parks.
He said: “We’re not going to any dog parks. You know what he can catch there, parvo virus, giardia, or he could be attacked by another dog.” Not only this but Dr Dela Cruz says he would never give his dog, Charlie, bones or bully sticks because he doesn’t want to deal with the consequences of a foreign body or fractured tooth.
While some owners train their dogs to walk off leash, he says he would never want to risk this, believing the risks of his dog running into the road are too great. “I won’t stop giving long term medications, preventatives or vaccines,” he added. “It’s way easier to prevent disease than it is to treat it.”
Don’t miss…
5 things I will never do with my dog as an ER Veterinarian
Finally, he says he will never “free feed” his dog as he wants to control his food intact and check whether he has a decrease in apatite, which can be a “huge marker for an underlying disease”. While some users agreed with his points, others believe they’re too strict. One user said: “Thank god am not the only one not taking my dog to the dog park. I always feel guilty but I know is for his own protection.”
Another user added: “Free-feeding works for us because ours dogs are the biggest grazers and sometimes they won’t touch food for a full day! Depends on the dog!” A third user said: “If he can’t bones what can I give my dog? He loves to chew but I feel like everything is frowned upon to give him.”
One more user added: “The heartworm preventative is so costly it’s cheaper to treat it. in ten years, I’ll spend 5,000 with prevention.” A final user said: “I struggle with the dog park! I feel guilty for not going but I’m too scared for them.” Dr Dela Cruz has asked his 28.3k followers to consider his advice, saying it could save their pet’s hardship and them a costly vet bill.
Don’t miss…
On his website, he says: “I spend my days taking care of dogs and cats, being a voice for the voiceless, and working to improve the human-animal bond. At the start of 2021, I started this blog with the goal of being a resource for pet owners, providing helpful information and advice related to veterinary medicine.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there, so I want to be a transparent and reliable source of information for you. I know that every pet owner wants to make the best decisions for their fur babies, so I hope you find the information I provide helps you make informed decisions that improves the health and happiness of your pet!”
It’s important to do your own research, and speak to a vet if you’ve got any questions about your dog’s specific situation.