TikTok vet reveals 10 top tips for keeping pets happy and healthy

What do lilies, pig’s ears and Tylenol have in common?

They’re all big no-nos for pets, according to Texas-based veterinarian Hunter Finn.

Through a series of TikTok videos, the animal lover serves up some tips and tricks on how owners can keep their four-legged friends happy and healthy.

Finn, who runs Pet Method Animal Hospital, says some of his pet hates are dog bones that can shatter and cause stomach problems, lilies because they can poison cats, and dog parks because they are breeding grounds for disease.

Here, FEMAIL rounds up some of the vet’s best advice.

1. Monitor your pet’s weight

Finn, who has more than two million followers on TikTok, tells pet owners in one clip, “Stop making them fat.”

He continues: ‘We all agree that food equals love, but did you know that being overweight can shorten their lifespan.

“So I’m all for giving your dogs treats and food and interacting with them, but you also have to train them. And yes, that means you might have to go out twice a day and take them for a 10-minute walk.”

Finn acknowledges that some pets may have genetic conditions or hormonal imbalances that can affect their weight. But he stresses that this can be corrected and “it just comes down to calories in versus calories out of food and exercise.”

2. Don’t feed dogs pork ears or bones

In his videos, Finn makes clear his aversion to dog bones and rawhides. He says rawhides are “really good for sitting in your dog’s stomach for a long time and causing and sometimes obstructing gastrointestinal distress, leading to expensive surgery.”

Meanwhile, bones can cause broken teeth and painful splinters, and pig ears are another source of upset.

Finn says of pig ears, ‘Those things are just nasty and there have been a lot of problems with bacterial contamination over the years with both products. There’s just better [and] safer treats for you to give.”

The vets suggest cutting up a sweet potato, cooking it in the oven for two to three hours, and drying it out as a treat. Alternatively, he says you can get a hollow Kong toy and stuff it with things like “carrots, applesauce, and popcorn.”

He concludes: ‘They lick this and go for it for a long time. These are much healthier, contain fewer calories and are safer for your pet.’

3. Avoid lilies

If you’re a cat owner, Finn warns against buying lilies and displaying them around the house.

He says they can cause a variety of ailments if your four-legged friend takes a bite of the flowers or leaves.

He explains: ‘Worst case it destroys their kidneys and at best they get gastrointestinal upset and maybe ulcers. Just don’t keep them in the house.’

4. Get the growths checked right away

If you see growths on an animal, Finn advises having it checked by a professional immediately.

He says it can take as little as 15 minutes to get a diagnosis, and if left unchecked, things could get worse.

He explains: ‘Worst case scenario, it’s something bad and we’re going to get rid of it. [But we] have better chances of curing your pet.

“At best, it’s benign and you sleep better at night and don’t have to worry about it.”

5. Provide the right amount of litter boxes

For cat owners, Finn emphasizes the importance of having the right number of litter boxes. He says “a good rule of thumb” is to have one litter box per cat, plus one extra.

And if you only have one cat, it’s a good idea to have two litter boxes in two different places.

6. Don’t stop taking pet antibiotics early

As for antibiotics, the vet says you should always administer the full course to your pet, even though it can sometimes be difficult to get cats and dogs to take their medication.

Finn warns viewers: I didn’t give you that amount for nothing… Stopping them too early can sometimes lead to harder, more resistant infections.”

7. Never give your pet Tylenol

Shockingly, Finn says he encounters many clients who give their pets Tylenol or other types of pain relievers intended for human consumption. He says human pain relievers or fever reducers should never be administered to pets.

The social media star continues, “You’d be surprised if people don’t know this is really bad for them. It is very toxic to their liver and their kidneys. they don’t metabolize things the same way we do.”

While some commentators said they had never heard of people doing such a thing, Mercedes Weiss, who works as a technical vet, supported Finn’s claims.

She sadly said that “a lot more people than you might think” give their pets Tylenol.

8. Avoid dog parks

The TikTok vet says he’s “frankly not a huge fan of dog parks” and “while they’re not bad in theory,” he “sees the bad side of them.”

He says they act as breeding grounds for infectious diseases and parasites and there is a higher risk of dogs biting each other.

That’s why he says, ‘They’re good in theory [but] since I want your dog to have a good enrichment…there are better places.”

9. Use supplements in moderation

Finn says he’s “all for pet supplements” that target joint pain, skin conditions, and overall health. But he says he’s seen many owners give their pets tablets and drugs they “really don’t need.”

He recommends using supplements and probiotics in moderation, but warns “more isn’t always better.”

10. Keep dog food simple

“Some of you just add too many things to your dog’s food,” says Finn. He says he often sees people add “a lot of toppers” to their pets’ food to encourage them to eat it.

However, the vet notes that many pet foods — such as human foods — are processed and don’t always provide the best nutritional value.

If you have the time, says Finn, “you can cook them a complete and balanced diet at home.”

One of the simple snacks he suggests for dogs is frozen whole carrots soaked in chicken stock.