Wondering how to find vets who support raw feeding?
It can be difficult to find a good vet especially if you are looking for one who is knowledgeable about raw food.
Back when I lived in rural NC, there were many traditional veterinarians whose offices I called on a regular basis.
However, none of them studied raw food, let alone nutritionists.
But after I switched my cancer puppy Missy and her brother Buzz from highly processed kibble to raw dog food in 2015, I really wanted them to see a holistic vet.
Mainly because I got tired of being bullied by my traditional vet against raw dog food, but also because I craved the support of an expert who understood where I was coming from.
Is Raw Food Recommended by Veterinarians?
Because here’s the thing – vets generally don’t support raw dog food.
They are often unaware of its many health benefits because raw food is not widely covered in veterinary school curricula, resulting in a lack of familiarity or comfort with this form of nutrition.
That said, the education and training of holistic veterinarians is similar to traditional veterinarians, but they often pursue additional training and certification in holistic and complementary medicine after graduation.
Here is a general overview of the teaching method of holistic veterinarians:
- Undergraduate Education: Like traditional veterinarians, holistic veterinarians typically begin by completing a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field. Common areas of study include biology, animal science, chemistry, or pre-veterinary studies.
- Veterinary School: After completing their undergraduate degree, aspiring veterinarians attend an accredited veterinary school to obtain a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree. Veterinary school usually lasts four years and includes both classroom studies and hands-on clinical training. The curriculum includes various aspects of animal health, medicine, surgery, diagnostics, and general animal science.
- Graduate Education in Holistic Medicine: After graduating from veterinary school, veterinarians interested in practicing holistic medicine often pursue additional training and education in complementary and alternative medicine. This can include attending specialized postgraduate programs, internships, or residencies that focus on holistic veterinary medicine. These programs offer in-depth training in modalities such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, and more.
- Certification and Accreditation: Holistic veterinarians can pursue certification and accreditation in certain holistic ways. For example, the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) offers certification in veterinary acupuncture. Other organizations, such as the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA), provide resources, support, and continuing education opportunities for holistic veterinarians who practice integrative veterinary medicine. We will be visiting the AHVMA here again soon.
Animal Recommendations From Green Feeders
So while it took me a while to find a brick and mortar vet’s office that supported raw feeding, I finally got lucky when I was told about Dr. Charles Loops, DVM, homeopathic veterinarian.
He sees patients in his office in Pittsboro, NC, and also offers telephone consultations to pet owners who live out of State.
Funny enough, the person you told me about lives in Texas and is a raw foodie I interviewed for a blog post.
I remember when I first went to see Dr. Loops, I would love to see pre-made raw dog food from Darwin’s Natural Pet in his chest freezer instead of the highly processed kibble on the office shelves. I felt at home!
By the way, that’s the type of raw dog food I started with in 2015.
Read more about Darwin’s special experiment here. They are offering 10 pounds of raw dog food for up to 75% off!
Missy (left in box) and Buzz (right) with their delivery of Darwin
But I’m sorry.
If you don’t have raw food friends, you can join a raw food Facebook group like ours and ask for raw vets in your city or state.
If you’re not on Facebook, check out raw dog food related hashtags on Instagram and start interacting with raw foodies there.
For example, #rawdogfoodcommunity or #rawfeedersofinstagram.
After moving to Germany in 2021, I got a recommendation for the perfect vet from another breeder I met on a morning walk with my puppy Wally.
That said, dog walking meetup groups can be another perfect pet resource to tap into!
AHVMA Directory
My previous vet that I mentioned earlier, Dr. Loops, is also listed in the AHVMA directory of holistic veterinarians.
That’s the acronym for the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, a professional organization dedicated to promoting and supporting holistic and integrative veterinary medicine.
The AHVMA was founded in 1982 and promotes holistic veterinary medicine, including, but not limited to, skin care, chiropractic care, herbal medicine, homeopathy and whole food nutrition.
On that note, holistic veterinary medicine is a specialized field, and the number of holistic vets can vary greatly depending on your location and the need for those services (rural vs urban).
Additionally, some veterinarians may incorporate holistic practices into their practice without identifying solely as holistic veterinarians and listing their offices with the AHVMA.
Now, according to the AHVMA, they have a membership base of over 1,200 veterinary professionals interested in holistic animal care.
Compared to the 125,000 traditional veterinarians in the US, this may not seem like a lot, but chances are you will be able to find the perfect veterinarian within 100 miles of your location.
The office of Dr. Loops was about 45 miles from my place in Spring Lake, NC.
How to Use the AHVMA Directory to Find Veterinarians Near You
It’s straight forward – all you have to do is follow these steps:
- Visit the AHVMA website at www.ahvma.org.
- On the home page, navigate to the “Find the Perfect Veterinarian” section. It’s easy to find since it’s prominently displayed on the page, you’ll just scroll down.
- Click the “Find Member” button to access the directory.
- You will see a search form that allows you to search by location. Fill in your city, state, or ZIP code and submit your search query.
- Next, the directory will generate a list of complete veterinarians near you.
- Review the complete vet list provided. Each listing typically includes their name, a website link, contact information such as an email address and phone number, and a brief description of their practice or areas of expertise.
- Look for keywords or descriptions that support green feeding such as “nutrition”, “nutraceuticals” or “food therapy”. If you’re lucky, you may even find a mobile vet like this one in the greater LA, California area.
- Contact veterinarians directly to further inquire about their stance on raw food. You can call or email their clinic to ask specific questions about raw foods, discuss your concerns, and determine if they are compatible with your preferences.
Keep in mind that the AHVMA directory is comprised of holistic veterinarians, and while they may have a broad perspective on pet care, not all of them will specifically mention nutrition-related keywords in their profiles.
Google search for “raw animals near me”
While we’re on the topic of using the directory, you can always do a Google search for “veterinarians who support green feeding” or similar entries.
Once you find one (or several), navigate to their website and browse the services they offer. If you like what you see, call their office or email them to see if they are accepting new doggie patients.
Local Raw Food Suppliers and Pet Stores That Carry Raw Dog Food
You can also reach out to raw food suppliers and/or pet retailers that sell raw dog food for recommendations of vets who support raw feeding.
If they don’t know any holistic vets, they may know raw food growers who do.
Or local dog trainers, dog walkers and pet sitters who feed their puppies raw dog food.
It doesn’t hurt to check in and ask next time you shop!
Famous Veterinarians Who Support Raw Foods in the Internet Space
You can also reach out to the holistic vets I mention below.
They have a strong online presence and may know of a green-feeding vet in your area:
- Dr. Karen BeckerDVM, associate veterinarian
- Dr. Dee BlancoDVM, holistic veterinarian
- Dr. Judy MorganDVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT, associate veterinarian
- Dr Tom LonsdaleBVetMed, MRCVS, aka “Whistle Blower Vet”
- Dr. Ian BillinghurstVeterinary Surgeon BVSc.(Hons), B.Sc.Agr., Dip. Ed., Nutritional Consultant and Raw Pet Food Manufacturer
The Bottom Line
According to the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, there are about 1200 veterinarians who support green feeding in the US.
You can find the nearest one by following these steps:
- Ask your fellow feeder friends for the perfect vet recommendation.
- Do an internet search on Google (or Bing, Yahoo, etc). Use keywords such as “veterinarians who support raw feeding”, “veterinarians that support raw feeding” or similar entries.
- Contact local raw food suppliers or pet stores that specialize in raw feeds. They may have a list of vets who support a raw diet.
- Contact local dog breeders, trainers, or other pet professionals who advocate for raw feeding. They may be familiar with veterinarians who specialize in nutrition.
- Use social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram to search for local raw food groups/hashtags about raw dog food. Reach out to the community and ask for recommendations on raw vets.
- Browse the AHVMA directory of holistic veterinarians in your area.
If you still can’t find any vets who support raw feeding using any of these methods, maybe you can find one on your next trip that is ready to continue with your puppies!
Can you recommend a perfect vet in the US for our readers? If the answer is YES, please mention them in the comment section below!
For more information on raw dog food in general, check out our raw dog food resources here.