Dr. Evan Antin talks about his Blue Buffalo partnership and what he wants people to know about veterinarians – Interview

Recently we wrote about the fact that celebrity veterinarian Dr. Evan Antin had partnered with Blue Buffalo. Following that news we had a chance to ask him a few questions about partnering with Blue Buffalo, what he wants people to know about going to see a veterinarian, and even what breed of dog he would be.

It was a chance to dig a little deeper into this partnership and why Dr. Antin had decided to partner with the brand to bring awareness to digestive health issues and how it can lead to more vet visits. And of course, we love learning more about the people who help keep our pets healthy and happy.

When it comes to Blue Buffalo, we only expect the very best and that includes who they work with. So we wanted to know more about Dr. Evan Antin, his tips for actually changing a dog’s diet, and what it was like for him to actually be named one of People’s Sexiest Vets (it happened twice!).

Dr. Evan Antin answers Dog O’Day’s questions about his Blue Buffalo partnership and more

Dog O’Day: What is it about Blue Buffalo that made you want to work with them?

Dr. Evan Antin:

"As a veterinarian, I know nothing is more important to a pet parent than the health and well-being of their beloved pet. I love how Blue Buffalo follows the simple idea “Love them like family. Feed them like family” especially with nutrition being so important for pets health. My partnership with them is focused on BLUE Basics and BLUE True Solutions Blissful Belly which are both high quality foods that make great diet options for pets with sensitive digestive tracts."

DOD: Do you have any tips for pet owners looking to change their dog’s food/diet without causing stomach issues?

EA:

"The key is making a gradual transition to the new food you intend to feed along with keeping close tabs on your pet’s appetite and stools with the new food. For the transition I recommend starting by incorporating about 1/3 of the new food per meal, and the remaining 2/3’s being the prior diet. Do this for a few days, monitoring stool and appetite and if all is good then switch those ratios to 2/3’s new food and 1/3 old food. If we’re still looking good for another few days, then we’re good to make the full transition to the new food.A good number of dogs have sensitive GI tracts and I’ve met many pet parents that are constantly changing their dog’s food trying to find the right one. For dogs with sensitive GI tracts a limited ingredient diet is often a good choice. These are formulated with simple ingredients that support easy digestion such as Blue Buffalo’s BLUE Basics. BLUE Basics is a limited ingredient diet that includes Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids to support skin and coat health, Vitamins E & C to support immune health, and superior nutrition through quality, natural ingredients (True Blue Promise). Another diet designed for digestive care – BLUE True Solutions Blissful Belly supports your dog’s digestive health naturally with prebiotic fiber, clinically proven to support digestive health."

DOD: What was your reaction when you learned that you were named People’s Sexiest Vet?

EA:

"I took it as a very nice compliment, and I appreciated the platform but being publicly acknowledged for sex appeal was never my personal goal. However, I took it as an opportunity to share more about my work. My goals in the public space have always been geared towards educating people about pet care including the veterinary component, inspiring people’s fascination with ALL animals, and promoting the conservation of our wildlife."

DOD: What is one thing you wish more people knew about veterinarians and bringing their pets to see the vet?

EA:

"I think a lot of people assume the vet is there when you need them but if your pet is healthy then there’s no reason to go to the vet. I’d like pet parents to understand that preventative medicine is extremely important and can really prolong the life & health of your pet. I recommend annual veterinary exams at minimum for example and for older pets – 9-10 years old and older – I recommend wellness bloodwork annually as well. Checking in with your vet regularly like this is a great way to catch disease processes earlier and treat them or mitigate them more effectively moving forward.With this notion of preventative care, diet plays an enormous role. Finding a quality, nutritionally balanced diet that fits your pet’s individual needs is worthwhile. My little dog, Henry, has a sensitive GI tract in his later years and BLUE True Solutions Blissful Belly has become our new staple diet. He loves it and his stools look perfect and I know his dietary needs are being met."

DOD: And since we are Dog O’Day, I have to ask what breed of dog would you be if you were a dog? (And of course, why?)

EA:

"Perhaps German shepherd because they’re so obsessively task oriented. When I have a goal in mind, I have a tendency of getting a little obsessive and one track minded. I’ve never been good with moderation!"