The phrase “gives me the ick” first gained popularity thanks to Ally McBeal in 1999, but it has made a major comeback—largely thanks to TikTok. While the term is mostly used to describe dating red flags, people have started applying it to all kinds of pet peeves. And now, thanks to veterinarian Dr. Frank Bozelka, we have a version specifically for pet parents.
Dr. Bozelka took to TikTok to share some of the biggest “icks” he encounters—not from his furry patients, but from their owners. While his video is lighthearted, he doesn’t hold back on calling out behaviors that can cause serious issues for pets.
Top Offenders on His List
One of his biggest pet parent “icks” is when people trust a breeder’s advice over their vet’s expertise.
As Bozelka puts it, breeders “are not medical experts.” While some breeders may be knowledgeable—he even credits a few with teaching him helpful breed-specific facts—many are “just backyard breeders trying to dodge responsibility.” So when someone treats a breeder’s opinion as gospel? That’s a hard cringe for him.
Even some breeders agreed with his take. One commented, “As a breeder, I never give medical advice. I always say, ‘Please go see your vet.’ Maybe because I’m also a vet tech.”
Another common frustration? When pet parents ask, “If this were your dog, what would you do?”—then proceed to do the opposite.
“Bro, why did you even ask me?” Bozelka jokes.
Other “icks” on his list include:
- Getting a pet without researching the breed’s needs. Some dogs require intense exercise, mental stimulation, and structured training. If you’re not ready to adjust your lifestyle, Bozelka warns, “DO NOT JUST BUY A BREED BECAUSE IT’S CUTE! DO! YOUR! HOMEWORK!”
- Complaining about ER wait times. Bozelka understands that long waits can be frustrating, but he points out that “the vast majority of the time, it’s NOT the hospital staff’s fault—it’s the number of critical cases we’re handling.”
- Using retractable leashes. He calls them “an ick” because they can be dangerous. In his experience, they cause far more injuries than standard leashes, so he recommends avoiding them altogether.
While every vet may have their own list of “icks,” it’s easy to see why these behaviors can be frustrating. Veterinarians dedicate years to studying animal health, yet pet owners sometimes make their jobs much harder.
More Vet Pet Peeves
According to KeepingItPawsome.com, here are a few other things vets find frustrating:
- Overfeeding pets
- Relying on “Dr. Google” instead of a real vet
- Being verbally abusive or hysterical in the waiting room
- Not having pet insurance or an emergency fund
- Waiting too long to seek medical attention
- Expecting free treatment or reduced fees
- Giving up on senior or sick pets too soon
- Experimenting with medications or supplements without consulting a vet
- Expecting a quick and easy fix for complex medical issues
At the end of the day, veterinarians want the best for our pets. So if we want to make their job easier—and ensure our pets live their healthiest lives—it’s worth keeping these reminders in mind.