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My vet gives bad diet advice and won't do routine care. Help!

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Female | spayed | 7 years and 9 months old | 17 lbs

Hi Melanie, this is a diet recommended list as well as resources that was emailed to me via my vet. the information that they advise is somewhat alarming, as the sources they list are very controversial and not backed by science but by anecdotes and fads. what are your thoughts on this? Also due to the covid19 outbreak they are not taking regular appointments but are open and are refusing to express my dogs anal glands who needs them expressed every 4-6weeks. What are your thoughts on this?

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 17th, 2020

I do not agree with any of that, and I am SHOCKED that your vet is recommending Dog Food Advisor as a reliable online source. That's a page run by a HUMAN DENTIST that has absolutely no training in veterinary medicine or nutrition. That is one of the least reliable sources on the internet. If this was me and my vet recommended this stuff, I'd be looking for a new vet. It is their right during this time to not do routine procedures like anal sac expression due to health concerns. Many vets are not doing routine procedures. I get that it's frustrating, but I understand why.

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