GOOD (and heavy) question, Pookie, so I will TRY to make this as short as possible.
Learning the hard way changed EVERYthing for me. Everything.
I have learned sooo much I don't even know where to start
Words like "Premium" (
unless it's a certain specifically named snack food which had already
had the name for decades before this word became a marketing gimmick) and the other word I see so much on products now it eludes me, make me RUN from it and find an alternative.
(I hope people will add others they see often; another "P" word eludes me right now.)
Other cliches aimed for humans, such as "High Quality" also need to go and be replaced with "Species-appropriate" when it comes to our carnivores because all those "high quality" carbohydrates are bad for a carnivore, especially the strict carnivores.
Never believe advertising. Google, google, google for unbiased, consistent experiences from unbiased people. Dig, dig, dig until I've seen enough unbiased people sharing the same experience. Forums first in most cases.
Never ever take the word of, or trust, anyone selling a commercial product, especially somebody with a conflict of interest. Learned this the hardest ways imaginable dealing with McVets after having been spoiled with an Angel of a veterinarian for decades.
And if I see information on a website and somebody's pushing a product -
disqualified! I don't care HOW good some of the information might be, because it's a tease for the hook, line & sinker -- almost every time. IF the product is what they claim it to be, I will confirm it by digging for unbiased accounts.
I will go to a product's website and check it out for consideration after having seen unbiased people recommending it.
Here's a biggie: Many drugs only mask symptoms! Relative diagnosed with Gout. Kept going home with more Meds but no mention of avoiding gravies fried foods ... alcohol, etc. ALSO no mention of the benefits of Cherry concentrate juice or Bing cherries.... Meds ONLY! Gotta be some pretty strong Meds when the person is eating KFC, gravies... looking for relief!
I've realised that you can't believe everything you read on the Internet, either, but the reality is, if you really want the truth, that's where you'll find it if you're diligent and dig deep enough. On sites NOT selling or affiliated with
anything.
People have stopped thinking for themselves. They need a TV or publication to tell them anything. Until they wise up, products and services will continue to deteriorate. Cutting corners is reigning supreme because we believe the advertising and whatever the "gag ordered" mediots are saying because of their network$' adverti$er$.
I learned ALL of this the hard way with our dogs. I could go on...