Stop Getting Pet Advice from Social Media: Here’s Why It’s Hurting Your Pet

Ever searched online for pet advice and ended up more confused than when you started? One post about your dog throwing up turns into 60 conflicting comments, arguments, and fear-filled stories, and suddenly you’re spiraling.

In this episode, I reveal the hidden danger behind all that “free” pet parenting advice in online groups, why it can do more harm than good, and where to actually turn for trusted pet care and training tips for dogs and cats (and other pets too) that help your pets instead of hurting them.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
• The 5 biggest reasons social media pet advice can backfire on your pet’s health, training, or behavior
• What to look for before trusting anyone’s opinion about pet training, diet, or care online
• How to build your own Trusted Trio of reliable experts for calm, confident pet parenting

CONNECT WITH ME: Email: Amy@PetParentHotline.com
thepetparenthotline.com | facebook.com/groups/thepetparenthotlineinsiders

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
• Join the Pet Parent Hotline Insiders Group: facebook.com/groups/thepetparenthotlineinsiders
• Subscribe to the Pet Parent Playbook Blog: thepetparenthotline.com

Chapters

• 0:00 Navigating Online Pet Advice Chaos
• 14:07 Building Your "Trusted Trio" for Pet Care
• 18:04 Finding Reliable Resources and Support
• 18:32 Why This Show Exists and Why It's Your Hotline & Lifeline
• 20:26 Get More Help and Support: Join The Pet Parent Hotline Insiders
• 20:52 The Pet Parent Playbook Blog: Another Free Resource

Transcript

EPISODE TITLE:

Stop Getting Pet Advice from Social Media: Here’s Why It’s Hurting Your Pet

Host: Amy Castro
Guest: None (Solo Episode)
Summary: Amy explains why taking advice from random people online can confuse, delay proper care, and even endanger pets — and shares how to create your own “Trusted Trio” for credible pet guidance.
Links: petparenthotline.com | facebook.com/groups/thepetparenthotlineinsiders

Recommended Resources: Previous episodes featuring trusted experts in veterinary care, behavior, and nutrition.

Transcript Note: Lightly edited for clarity and flow.

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Amy Castro (00:02.307)
I know you’ve seen it. Somebody posts a question in a pet group, like, “My dog’s throwing up, what should I do?” And within minutes, there are 60 comments. Give pumpkin, fast for 24 hours, change your dog’s food, don’t change your dog’s food, add rice, don’t add rice. By the time you’ve read all this, you’re more confused than when you started.

So today we’re going to talk about why asking for pet advice online can actually do more harm than good, and where you should go instead to get real answers that actually help your pets. So stay tuned.

Amy Castro (00:38.104)
You’ve reached The Pet Parent Hotline, your lifeline to practical solutions for your toughest pet parenting challenges. I’m your host, Amy Castro, and I’m here to help you cut through the noise and turn expert advice into step-by-step strategies so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying life with pets again.

Amy Castro (01:03.692)
If you share your life with pets, you’ve probably done it at least once. You posted in a Facebook group or Reddit thread and said something like, “My cat’s not eating,” or “My dog’s acting funny,” or “My puppy’s poop looks weird.” And then you posted lots of nasty pictures that, quite frankly, nobody needed to see. Five minutes later, you’re swimming in conflicting opinions, horror stories of death and mayhem, and a lot of strong personalities that usually end up fighting among themselves and not actually answering your question.

And it’s not that people don’t care — most of them really do — but the truth is, good intentions are not the same thing as good advice.

So I want to talk today about why this is such a big issue — not just because misinformation is everywhere, but because it really is changing the way pet parents are making decisions about their pet’s care. Then I’ll walk you through what you should do instead: how you can build your own network of reliable voices to find calm in the chaos.

Anyone who has spent any time in a pet parent group or in some of the threads on Reddit knows how frightening some of the advice can be. Let’s talk about why you don’t want to listen to it.

Amy Castro (02:47.805)
Reason number one is everybody in there thinks they’re an expert. That’s why they’re there — they want to offer that “expertise” and have their voice heard. You’ll see people confidently telling others how to treat a skin infection, how to fix behavior — including aggression, which is really scary to me — and what food to feed their pets.

The problem is they sound so sure of themselves that it’s really easy to believe them. But here’s the catch: they’re probably just repeating something they heard elsewhere.

It reminds me of when I used to volunteer at animal control. I’d see people post about a found animal, and before the original poster could even say what they were going to do, there were 50 comments saying, “Don’t take it to animal control — they’ll kill it in three days.”

Totally not true. And I know that for a fact because not one animal during my time there was euthanized without my knowing about it and signing off on it, and it was incredibly rare. But online, you’d think it happened every day.

Where did that misinformation come from? Who knows. But people repeat what they’ve been told, and it spreads like wildfire.

There’s usually no context, no credentials for the person giving the advice, and no clue whether the information is accurate or safe. When a hundred people repeat the same bad information, it starts to sound like truth simply because you’ve heard it so many times.

So here’s a key takeaway: confidence to speak doesn’t equal credentials. Real expertise comes from education, certification, and experience — ideally all three — not just being loud online.

Amy Castro (05:39.905)
Reason number two: you have no idea who these people are. The person commenting could be a vet tech with 20 years of experience, a retired veterinarian, or someone who just got their first pet yesterday. You can’t tell the difference because all the comments blend together.

The internet flattens credibility, which means the loudest voice wins — not the most qualified. When someone says, “That poop looks normal, don’t bother going to the vet,” they might mean well, but they could be dead wrong. And you might not realize it until it’s too late for your pet.

Before taking advice from anyone online, look for transparency. Does this person share credentials or experience? Do they have a professional website or page? If not, treat their words as opinion, not guidance. People with real credibility aren’t afraid to say who they are or why they’re qualified to offer advice.

Amy Castro (07:56.275)
Reason number three: algorithms reward drama, not solutions. The more emotional a post is, the more comments it gets — and the more it’s boosted by the algorithm.

Calm, factual advice gets buried. Heated debates, fear-based posts, and shaming comments rise to the top. That means when you scroll a pet advice thread, you’re not seeing the most accurate info, you’re seeing the most engaging info.

It’s not about helping you — it’s about keeping you scrolling. And that “doom scrolling” feeds anxiety. You post a question worried about your pet, and by the time you finish reading, you’re more anxious, guilty, and second-guessing yourself than when you started.

If you’re in a group that constantly stresses you out, confuses you, or makes you feel like a bad pet parent, leave it. Pets need calm humans, and you can’t make good choices from a place of anxiety.

Amy Castro (10:14.325)
Reason number four: the advice probably doesn’t fit your pet. Even if it’s good advice in general, it might not be right for your animal. Every pet is different — breed, age, history, health, environment — it all matters.

Good professionals start by asking questions: how old is your pet, how long has this been going on, what’s changed recently? They look at the “why” before giving a solution.

So here’s your filter: if someone isn’t asking questions first, they don’t know enough to give you advice. Real experts always lead with inquiry.

Amy Castro (12:37.097)
Reason number five: bad advice can make things worse — fast. Sometimes those “quick fixes” delay real veterinary care or make behavior problems worse. And when it backfires, the random commenter won’t be there to help fix it.

Asking random people online for advice can cost you time, money, and your peace of mind. And while many people ask online to save money — skipping a vet visit or trainer — it usually ends up costing more when the problem escalates.

If an issue is serious enough that you’re searching for quick fixes online, it probably needs professional intervention, not random advice from strangers.

Amy Castro (14:48.349)
So what can you do instead? Build what I call your Trusted Trio. These are the people you contact before posting online for help.

Number one: your veterinarian — your go-to for health, medical, and nutrition advice. Having a vet who knows you and your pet can save time and prevent emergencies.

Number two: a certified trainer or behavior consultant. A qualified one will use science-based, humane methods and real experience — not guesswork.

Number three: a trusted, experienced friend — someone who knows you, knows your pet, and has real animal knowledge. They’re the one you can text at midnight to ask, “Can this wait until morning?”

You don’t need a massive network, just a handful of calm, qualified, consistent people.

If you want an online group, choose one moderated by professionals — not the chaotic, judgmental ones. Leave the groups that thrive on fear or outrage. You and your pets deserve better.

Amy Castro (17:03.603)
When it comes to following people online, look for professionals who teach, not preach. People who explain the why, not just the what. Follow trainers, vets, nutritionists, or behaviorists who show credentials and share calm, factual information.

Follow fewer people, but better ones. When you know your sources are credible, you stop chasing opinions and start feeling confident again.

Amy Castro (19:18.705)
When I have an issue with my pets, I don’t spend hours Googling. I go straight to my trusted experts. And if you need a place to start finding your own, check our previous episodes — every guest has been vetted for their expertise and experience.

And remember, that’s why I created The Pet Parent Hotline: to answer the questions that keep pet parents up at night and to help prevent good people from giving up their pets out of frustration.

Before you post that question in a group full of strangers, check the show feed. Search for an episode that fits your situation. You’ll find calm, credible, expert advice — no chaos, no hype.

The internet isn’t the enemy. It’s just loud. But you get to choose who you listen to. When you surround yourself with credible voices, you’ll become a calmer, more confident pet parent — and that peace will trickle right down to your pets.

If you want to keep learning, join us in the Pet Parent Hotline Insiders Group on Facebook. It’s a drama-free space where pet parents can ask questions, share experiences, and connect with people and experts who genuinely want to help.

And while you’re at it, visit thepetparenthotline.com and subscribe to my monthly Pet Parent Playbook Blog. You’ll get links to new episodes and calm, credible advice to help you create a happier, healthier life for your pets.

At the end of the day, your pet doesn’t need you to be perfect. They just need you to be informed, steady, and doing your best. And we’re here to help you do exactly that.

Thanks for listening to The Pet Parent Hotline. If you enjoyed the show, don’t keep it to yourself — text a friend right now with a link and tell them, “You’ve got to hear this.” And remember, your pet’s best life starts with you living yours. So take good care of yourself this week — and your pets.

💬Want a safe place to ask questions and connect with other pet parents who get it? Join us in the Pet Parent Hotline Insiders group on Facebook — no drama, just support.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some episode resources may include affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Veterinary Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational information and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet’s health or behavior.