Veterinarians’ Top Tips for Pet Owners

• Insider asked veterinarians to tell Insider which pet products are not worth it.
• Pet clothes, fancy dog restraints and premium cat litter are unnecessary.
• Wireless dog fences could be dangerous and confuse your pet.

Pet owners are often keen to provide their furry friends with the best. However, not all products are worth the high price tag.

Insider asked veterinarians for their opinions on pet products that could be considered a waste of time.

Multivitamins for pets are not always necessary

Stacy Choczynski Johnson, vet and expert at Pumpkin Pet InsuranceInsider was informed by, that pet multivitamins don’t usually need to be taken.

“Vitamins and supplements don’t require approval by the FDA to certify effectiveness, safety, or quality,”Johnson. “As a result, you may not always get what you are paying for.”

Johnson states that most pets get all the vitamins from their food. The only exception is if they are on a strict diet.

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diet.

“In that case, your vet may recommend a xylitol-free human-grade multivitamin, which will be much cheaper,”She said.

Dogs could be injured by all-terrain strollers.

Although all-terrain dog walkers can be used to transport pets with disabilities or pain, they are expensive and could cause more harm than good.

“It doesn’t make sense to have an all-terrain jogging stroller that would subject sensitive dogs to bouncing on rough trails,”Johnson. “Dogs with arthritis and disc disease would do much better undisturbed at home.”

Johnson suggests a small stroller that is appropriate for pets who need to move around a city.

Spending money on over-the-counter products for skin could prove to be a costly mistake

Ineffective anti-itch products, such as expensive sprays or ointments purchased at the pet shop, can prove costly.

“Pet parents often spend a lot of money on anti-itch products that don’t provide much relief,”Johnson. “Prescription-strength products with antifungal and antibacterial properties are best for pets with skin conditions.”

Johnson recommends that you speak to your veterinarian before buying skin products for pets.

Dog-safe beer’ is often just water with meat-flavored flavor

A six-pack of dog-safe beer is a great way to bring your pet along to a party. You should keep in mind that these drinks don’t contain hops. They typically contain water, flavoring agents, preservatives, and flavoring agents.

“At around $4 a bottle, I’m not sure it’s worth the novelty,”Johnson stated. “It’s usually meat-flavored and non-toxic, but I think you’d be better off donating that money to a local animal shelter.”

You don’t get much done with automatic litter boxes

Heather Venkat, a veterinarian and advisor VIP PuppiesInsider was told by a source that an expensive automatic is not worth the cost.

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“It’s much cheaper to scoop your cat’s litter by hand, as the automatic litter boxes still require you to empty the bags by hand anyway,”Venkat.

Wireless dog fences can be dangerous and confusing.

Wireless dog fences deliver a vibration, sound, or a small electric shock — usually through a collar — to prevent dogs from wandering.

“Wireless dog fences aren’t worth spending money on,”Venkat shared his experience with Insider. “They confuse dogs because they can’t see their boundaries.”

Wireless fencing can also be used to prevent your pet fleeing from dangerous situations, such as stray dogs or wild animals.

All tooth-cleaning treats and toys are not created equal.

Some pet products claim to clean their teeth but may not work.

“Many of the special chew toys, rinses, and edible chews on the market are not scientifically proven to actually provide any oral health benefit to your pet,”Richardson.

The best way to reduce plaque and bacteria is to brush your pet’s teeth using animal-safe toothpaste.

If you aren’t sure if the products that you’re purchasing will improve your pet’s oral health or not, consult your veterinarian. This is the complete listFrom the Veterinary Oral Health Council.

High-end harnesses and collars for dogscan be a poInvestments

Rachel Barrack, Veterinarian Animal AcupunctureInsider reported that owners should not purchase costly dog restraints.

“Most puppies or small dogs will outgrow their collars or harnesses quickly, so don’t buy a fancy one while they’re small,”Barrack.

Your vet will check that you are using the correct amount of restraint to suit your pet’s size and breed.

Premium cat litter is often unnecessary

Budget-friendly

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You already have the option of a wide range of textures and types to choose from, so you don’t need to go out and buy expensive stuff unless your cat is suffering from a medical condition.

“Cat litter doesn’t have to be expensive to work,”Barrack. “Finding which one is best for your home may require some trial and error, but don’t break the bank with fancy litter.”

Dogs don’t neeYou are not allowed to wear clothes unless you have a medical reason.

While it might be tempting to buy a fancy outfit for your dog’s pet, the majority of pets don’t really need clothes.

“Pets don’t need fancy clothes or clothing at all,”Barrack. “Large dogs, in particular, don’t require extra insulation, especially if they have thick fur.”

Barrack stated that certain pets, like toy and short-haired breeds or dogs with compromised immune system or endocrine issues can benefit from a simple thermal coat or sweater.