By Dr. Jake Hiller

One of the most common things we hear in veterinary medicine sounds completely reasonable on the surface.

"My neighbor's dog does that too."

"My friend's cat drinks a lot of water and she's fine."

"All of my previous dogs had bad breath."

"My last Labrador was much heavier than this one."

Pet owners naturally compare experiences. It's human nature. We look for reassurance from friends, family members, social media groups, and other pet owners who seem to have gone through something similar.

The challenge is that no two pets are exactly alike.

A behavior that's completely normal for one dog may signal a medical problem in another.

A weight that's healthy for one pet may be unhealthy for another.

A symptom that's harmless in one situation may deserve further investigation in another.

At EastOver Veterinary, one of the most important principles we teach is that healthcare decisions should be based on the individual patient, not comparisons.

Because when it comes to wellness, one of the biggest mistakes we see is assuming that what's normal for another pet must also be normal for yours.

The Problem With Using Other Pets as a Benchmark

Most pet owners aren't trying to ignore health concerns.

In fact, the opposite is usually true.

They're trying to gather information and make good decisions.

The problem is that comparisons often create a false sense of security.

Let's say two dogs are drinking more water than usual.

One may simply be more active because of warmer weather.

The other may be showing the earliest signs of kidney disease.

From the outside, the behavior looks identical.

The underlying cause is completely different.

This is why veterinarians spend so much time gathering information during wellness visits.

Context matters.

The same symptom can mean very different things depending on the patient.

Breed Differences Matter

One of the biggest reasons comparisons can be misleading is because breeds vary dramatically.

A healthy body condition in a Greyhound looks very different from a healthy body condition in a Labrador Retriever.

A giant breed dog ages differently than a toy breed dog.

Some breeds are naturally more energetic.

Others are naturally more sedentary.

Certain breeds have higher risks for specific health conditions.

Because of these differences, veterinarians don't evaluate pets against a universal standard.

We evaluate them based on what is normal for their breed, age, body type, lifestyle, and medical history.

Why Age Changes Everything

A behavior that is perfectly normal in a young pet may be concerning in an older pet.

For example:

A six-month-old puppy may sleep frequently because they're growing rapidly.

An eight-year-old dog that suddenly begins sleeping significantly more may deserve further evaluation.

The same principle applies to:

• Appetite
• Activity level
• Weight changes
• Mobility
• Water consumption
• Bathroom habits

Age influences how we interpret nearly every health observation.

This is why routine wellness care becomes increasingly important as pets get older.

Social Media Is Not a Medical Record

Today's pet owners have access to more information than ever before.

That can be incredibly helpful.

It can also be misleading.

Social media discussions often include statements like:

• "My dog has done that for years."
• "My cat has always been like that."
• "The vet is overreacting."
• "That happened to my pet and it was nothing."

The challenge is that nobody online has examined your pet.

Nobody online has reviewed your pet's medical history.

Nobody online knows your pet's laboratory results, dental health status, body condition score, mobility assessment, or lifestyle factors.

Veterinary recommendations are based on the individual patient, not general internet experiences.

The Hidden Risk of Comparing Appetite

Appetite is one area where comparisons frequently cause confusion.

Some dogs are highly food motivated.

Others are naturally selective eaters.

Some cats graze throughout the day.

Others prefer structured meals.

Because of these differences, appetite changes should be evaluated based on the individual pet's normal behavior.

What matters most is not how your pet eats compared to another pet.

What matters is how your pet is eating compared to their own baseline.

Weight Is Not a Competition

One of the most common wellness conversations involves body weight.

Owners often compare their pet to other animals of the same breed.

Unfortunately, many pets have become so accustomed to seeing overweight dogs and cats that healthy body condition sometimes appears "too thin."

In reality, maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important things owners can do to support long-term health.

Excess weight increases stress on:

• Joints
• Ligaments
• The cardiovascular system
• The respiratory system

It can also contribute to reduced mobility and decreased quality of life.

A veterinarian's assessment is far more valuable than comparing body shape to pets encountered at the dog park.

Dental Health Is Another Common Comparison Trap

Bad breath is one of the clearest examples of how comparisons can delay treatment.

Many owners assume bad breath is simply part of owning a dog or cat because they've experienced it before with previous pets.

The reality is that persistent bad breath is often a sign of dental disease.

Dog and cat dentistry plays an important role in wellness care because oral disease is extremely common and often progresses without obvious symptoms.

When owners compare their pet's breath to another pet's breath, they may overlook a problem that's causing chronic discomfort.

The better question isn't:

"Do other dogs have bad breath?"

The better question is:

"What is causing my dog's bad breath?"

Why Baselines Matter More Than Comparisons

Veterinarians rely heavily on baselines.

A baseline tells us what is normal for an individual patient.

This includes:

• Weight
• Laboratory values
• Mobility
• Behavior
• Appetite
• Dental health
• Physical examination findings

When we understand a pet's baseline, we can identify meaningful changes earlier.

That's one of the greatest benefits of routine wellness visits.

We're not simply evaluating today's health.

We're creating a record that helps us evaluate future health.

The Most Important Comparison

If comparisons are often misleading, what should pet owners compare?

The answer is simple:

Compare your pet today to your pet six months ago.

Ask yourself:

• Are they moving the same way?
• Are they eating the same way?
• Are they interacting the same way?
• Are they maintaining the same weight?
• Are they showing the same energy level?

Those comparisons are far more valuable than comparing your pet to another animal.

Because every dog and cat is unique.

And understanding what is normal for your pet is one of the most powerful tools for protecting their long-term health.