(NewsNation) — Veterinarians are warning that “fur baby” culture could lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of pets.
In a new book, “Veterinary Controversies and Ethical Dilemmas,” the authors discuss the transition for animals from working animals to family members treated as fur children by many owners.
They warn that the trend of treating animals like human children, with everything from gourmet meals to spa days and outfits, can lead to more surgical and medical interventions that are not in the pet’s best interests.
The authors also connect this culture to a rise in veterinary costs, along with increasingly profit-motivated and corporatized veterinary care.
Social media is also cited as an issue, with authors warning that owners may take advice from influencers with no background in veterinary care or animal health. Pet owners may also look up symptoms to try and diagnose a pet before a vet visit, complicating communication with vets.
The authors stress that they don’t seek to shame owners who treat their pets like one of the family.
Instead, they hope to encourage a shift away from a model of “gold standard” care for veterinary medicine and toward one that takes an individual approach that includes taking into consideration the financial burden on the owner, the animal’s individual circumstances and quality of life.