MeatEater, Inc. is an outdoor lifestyle company founded by renowned writer and TV personality Steven Rinella. Host of the Netflix show MeatEater and The MeatEater Podcast, Rinella has gained wide popularity with hunters and non-hunters alike through his passion for outdoor adventure and wild foods, as well as his strong commitment to conservation. Founded with the belief that a deeper understanding of the natural world enriches all of our lives, MeatEater, Inc. brings together leading influencers in the outdoor space to create premium content experiences and unique apparel and equipment. MeatEater, Inc. is based in Bozeman, MT.

Series

Ask a Vet

Training and fieldwork creates a special kind of bond between a dog and its owner. But our four-legged friends often find themselves in situations where they need your help. Our new Ask A Vet series delivers advice directly from a professional, working veterinarian. Have a question about your dog? Shoot an email to themeateater@themeateater.com and we’ll dig into the concern.

Training and fieldwork creates a special kind of bond between a dog and its owner. But our four-legged friends often find themselves in situations where they need your help. Our new Ask A Vet series delivers advice directly from a professional, working veterinarian. Have a question about your dog? Shoot an email to themeateater@themeateater.com and we’ll dig into the concern.

Veterinarian giving injection to a small tan dog with a red collar on an exam table

Hunting with Dogs

What Vaccines Does My Dog Really Need?

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the veterinary profession in ways none of us predicted. Not only were pet owners forced to comply with the awkwardness of curb-side medicine, but the shelter-in-place mandates detonated an explosion of pent-up demand for new puppies. Now don’t get me wrong—having a...

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Three yellow Labrador puppies running through tall grass

Waterfowl

Ask a Vet: Should I Stud My Dog?

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

The choice to engage in breeding—whether you’re supplying the semen or raising the litter—should be considered with a critical eye and backed by a solid plan. After a healthy dose of self-reflection, I encourage owners to decide whether their desire to breed stems from one of the following common...

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Yellow Labrador puppy at sunset, close-up head and shoulders looking right

Waterfowl

Ask a Vet: What Should I Look for in a Puppy?

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

Picking a puppy from a litter should be an exciting experience, but in the moment it’s easy to get blinded by the collective cuteness of a pile of baby bird dogs. Speaking from personal experience as a self-diagnosed sucker for puppies, you have to maintain a level head and a critical eye when...

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Lateral X-ray of a pregnant dog showing multiple fetal skeletons and an 'R' marker

Upland Birds

Ask a Vet: Do Pregnancy X-Rays Affect Unborn Puppies?

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

As a vet that works with a large number of breeders, I’m often asked about the safety of pregnancy x-rays (radiographs) and what risks are associated with subjecting undeveloped and rapidly growing fetuses to radiation. These are valid questions, and I’m happy to offer up my expertise when a breeder...

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Black dog with collar held by gloved hand in dry grass, black pen-like device at its mouth

Upland Birds

Ask A Vet: When Should You Euthanize a Dog?

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

If there’s any fault in our love of bird dogs and the strong bond we build with them through training and hunting, it’s that they just don’t live long enough. I’ve experienced the loss of a hunting dog from both sides of the examination room, and the recurrent theme, regardless of how many years you...

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Two bird dogs eating from metal bowls in dry grass

Upland Birds

Ask A Vet: What Should You Feed Your Bird Dog?

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

Much like religion and politics, canine nutrition is one of those topics where people join the discussion with a well-established set of opinions, but generally aren’t open to hearing what others have to say. The internet is awash in misinformation concerning dog food.

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Yellow Labrador wading in icy water wearing a camouflage vest

Upland Birds

Ask A Vet: Cold Weather Bird Dog Concerns

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

This article primarily focuses on two dangerous scenarios, hypothermia and frostbite, and tips for preventing them. We’ll round out our discussion of winter weather concerns with an overview of “cold tail,” one of those odd ailments we occasionally see in bird dogs later in the hunting season.

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Hunting pointer climbing rocky slope, brown-and-white coat and orange collar

Upland Birds

Ask A Vet: Bird Dog Paw, Pad, and Nail Health

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

In my experience, foot and pad issues are common in all hunting breeds, and if you’ve come across this article in search of advice, know that you’re not alone. We’ve all been there.

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Yellow Labrador wearing an orange collar sitting in dry brown grass, looking right

Upland Birds

Ask A Vet: Labrador Retriever Medical Concerns

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

The Labrador reigns as one of the most popular breeds in the field, blind, and living room for good reason. They’re biddable, handsome, and hard-working, with big hearts, bigger appetites, and a generous off-switch that makes them a joy to keep around the house. If you’re in the market for one—and...

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Dog retrieving two chukar partridges in dry grass

Upland Birds

Ask A Vet: Should I Spay or Neuter My Bird Dog?

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

Discussion of when or whether to spay or neuter a bird dog comes up often with clients, usually during a pup’s first vet visit. Amid comments about sharp deciduous teeth, crate training, and our shared love of puppy breath, these new owners inevitably lean on my expertise to help make sense of the...

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Dog leaping over barbed-wire fence across dry field

Upland Birds

Ask A Vet: Bird Dog Field Care

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

I admit that I love a good (preferably free) hack that will keep me from opening my wallet and shelling out cash to a professional, especially when it’s something I can handle myself. If you’re too far from a vet or determined to deal with it, at least arm yourself with these few field injury tips...

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Hunting dog standing by rocky outcrops in dry sagebrush under a clear blue sky

Upland Birds

Do Rattlesnake Vaccines Work?

Hunter wearing orange cap kneeling in woods with shotgun over shoulder and two hunting dogs

Should the vaccine be part of your hunting companion’s immunization schedule? The answer you receive depends on which veterinarian you ask. The published research as to its efficiency remains murky at best, with most vets basing their recommendations on their own anecdotal experience due to the lack...

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