By Lucy Jabrayan | thrive4lifepetfood.com

The trajectory of the veterinary climate is changing drastically—and, as a whole, not for the better.

With the rising cost of care and more and more vet clinics being purchased by American and global corporations, it’s no small trend—indeed, one of the biggest structural shifts in the industry right now. Over 20% of vet clinics in Canada are now corporately owned. Before 2010, almost all were independent—a massive shift in a short time.

What this means for pet owners is rushed appointments, confusion from conflicting information, and, because veterinarians simply don’t have the time to build deep relationships, a growing sense of being just a number—not heard or seen.

The relationship and role of our pets have also changed. They are becoming more and more like family, and we now live in an era where dogs and cats are humanized. When you love them like family, you treat them like family too.

This is where and how we must invest in our pets—starting with preventative care. More and more pet guardians are turning to preventive health measures for their pets.

It is up to us to take preventive measures, such as choosing a high-quality diet, adding one, two, or three supplements (this isn’t “spending” money—it’s investing in your pet’s future), and exploring natural alternatives rather than automatically going the conventional route.

Another way to invest in preventive care is simply by saying “No, thank you” to certain practices in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry, including injectable flea and tick medications and newer RNA vaccine technologies now available in North America—and, eventually, mRNA for pets.

The issue I have with these newer pharmaceutical technologies is that there are no real long-term health and safety studies, and no studies showing long-term effects with multiple doses. What that means for pet owners is that their pets become the unfortunate guinea pigs being tested on.

Investing in relationships is just as important. Build your pet health community—where you purchase your pet’s health items, such as food and supplements, your vet, and other health sectors such as chiropractic care and hydrotherapy.

When it comes to searching for a vet, try to look for independently owned clinics—someone you can trust, who will take the time with you, and who treats you and your furry loved ones with care. Ultimately, this is the biggest relationship you will have to invest in when it comes to your pet’s health, whether you see your vet once a year or once every five years.

The major shift is that more and more pet guardians are turning to natural, holistic alternatives—with great success. It’s no secret that the modern-day pet guardian is acquiring more knowledge and education for their pets’ preventive health care. More and more holistic veterinarians and natural pet health advocates are speaking out against certain standardized procedures and offering guidance on navigating the “system.”

Pet guardians want to choose vets who will work with them, not against them. They should feel comfortable speaking freely about topics that matter to them.

Vets should always put the pet first. The concern is that as clinics are continually bought up by these large corporations, they will have their own systems and protocols in place, which can mean that your dog and cat may ultimately become just a number. If anything, pay close attention to how you feel as you leave your vet’s office.

Whenever I visit my veterinarian’s office, I thoroughly enjoy our conversations, and there is room for a collaborative decision-making process for my little ones. A relationship built on pressure or fear will never work.

I walk away with peace and knowledge, and I encourage others to find a professional relationship like that—because that’s the way it should be.

Lucy Jabrayan is a holistic pet wellness expert and entrepreneur, and the founder of Thrive4Life Holistic Pet Food. She formulates professional supplements and writes on preventive pet health.