The internet is full of information, but not all of it is accurate. In this age of misinformation and artificial intelligence, how do you know what online information to trust when it comes to caring for your pet? As a pet owner, you need reliable, correct information to make informed decisions on your pet’s care and health needs. It is important to be able to tell the difference between reliable and unreliable information when you need an answer for your pet.
Where can I find reliable information online?
The best source of information is always your veterinarian, but if you’re looking online, here are a few tips to help you find reliable information sources.
1. Look for accredited veterinary organizations such as CAPC (Companion Animal Parasite Council), AHS (American Heartworm Society), AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association), or the FelineVMA (Feline Veterinary Medical Association); governmental sites such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control — Healthy Pets Healthy People); or well-known non-profit organizations, such as the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
2. Visit veterinary college websites or your clinic’s website. These sites will have good, reliable information. They can often direct you to other reputable online resources.
3. Visit websites that contain content written by veterinarians, such as Lifelearn ClientEd (often found on clinic websites and VCA’s Know your Pet), the Merck Veterinary Manual, and Veterinary Partner. You can also look for major pharmaceutical companies’ websites. Look for sites that aim to educate rather than sell products — a red flag for questionable information.
4. Scrutinize the site. When was the content last updated? Veterinary knowledge changes over time, so make sure you are looking at a source that is relevant.
5. Check for authenticity. Do you recognize the company or individual publishing the information? If not, search for their name to see if they are respected in animal health.
6. Avoid sites that are heavily weighted with personal opinions. Reddit threads and social media posts may provide experiences of other pet owners, but these anecdotes should not take the place of scientific, medical information. You need information from qualified sources that use facts and studies to back up their information.
How can I avoid misinformation?
Avoid sites that tell you how to treat your pet’s specific problems without an in-person visit. Do not engage with a diagnosis or treatment plan founded on AI, emails, or online chat. Diagnosis and treatment are most accurate with a hands-on physical exam and, sometimes, additional testing. In fact, medical ethics dictate that a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship must exist to protect your pet, as medication or treatment prescribed in error may seriously harm your pet.
Exceptions to this rule include poison helplines that advise emergency treatment and telemedicine services offered by veterinary hospitals. If you are in an emergency poisoning situation, only use a reputable service like the ASPCA Animal Poison Control line or Pet Poison Helpline.
If you use telemedicine services, ensure that they are provided through a veterinary hospital by a licensed veterinarian. Check the veterinarian’s credentials on the website as well as the area they’re allowed to practice in — veterinarians aren’t often allowed to practice across state or country borders. Telemedicine is limited to what you describe or send by video, so your veterinarian may advise seeking in-person assessment and treatment for your pet.
Be wary of sites that sell supplements or advise “homemade” remedies. Approved alternative therapies may be helpful, but trying “homemade” remedies to treat serious illnesses like heartworm, parvovirus, or bladder stones could be fatal for your pet. Only give your pet medications that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Health Canada to ensure they are safe and effective. Do not trust an internet site that claims their kitchen-variety product is as effective as an approved drug. Making this claim is illegal. Discuss anything you plan to give to your pet with your veterinarian before giving it.
Avoid websites that do not require veterinary approval for prescription medications. Such a website may sell you a drug that is inappropriate for your pet’s condition. Or they may be selling unapproved or counterfeit medication that could harm your pet. Prescription medication sources that bypass your pet’s veterinarian are highly suspicious.
Check artificial intelligence (AI) data sources. AI tools (chatbots, Google AI summaries) summarize data from multiple sources. This summary can be helpful as a general overview, but is only as reliable as the sources used, so check the AI sources the same as you would any other website. AI chatbots can also hallucinate, providing inaccurate and potentially dangerous information, so it is always best to review your findings with your veterinary team.
What is the best source of pet care information?
The best source of pet care information is always your veterinarian. Your veterinarian knows your pet’s individual needs and can answer your questions directly. Plus, the degree hanging on the hospital wall proves that your veterinarian is trained to provide you with accurate information.
It is okay to look for online information resources for your pet and online information can be helpful — as long as you also take time to visit your local veterinary hospital. The internet should never take the place of your trusted veterinarian.
