Dr. Lara Friedman, DVM

Dr. Lara Friedman is a licensed veterinarian with over six years of experience in small animal medicine. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and has worked in general veterinary hospitals, busy small animal clinics, and shelter medicine. Caring for dogs in these diverse settings has given her extensive experience managing everything from routine wellness care and preventive medicine to digestive disorders, food allergies, and emergency cases involving toxic food ingestion.

Why She Writes About Dog Nutrition

Working across hospitals, clinics, and animal shelters exposed Dr. Friedman to a wide range of nutrition-related health problems, many caused not by neglect, but by understandable gaps in reliable information. Shelter medicine, in particular, showed her how often dogs arrive with nutritional deficiencies, digestive issues, or food-related illnesses that could have been prevented with clear, evidence-based guidance.

She believes trustworthy nutrition information should be available before problems occur, not only after a veterinary visit. Through whatdogscaneat.com, she helps dog owners better understand which foods are safe, which should be fed in moderation, and which should always be avoided.

Her Approach

Dr. Friedman’s approach is centered on prevention, education, and practical decision-making. Rather than simply labeling foods as “safe” or “unsafe,” she explains why certain foods may benefit dogs, when they may pose risks, and how factors such as age, breed, portion size, existing health conditions, and feeding frequency influence nutritional safety.

She regularly completes continuing veterinary education in canine nutrition, small animal internal medicine, preventive medicine, and veterinary toxicology to ensure her guidance reflects current veterinary evidence and clinical best practices.

Areas of Expertise

• Canine Nutrition
• Dog Food Safety
• Small Animal Medicine
• Preventive Veterinary Care
• Digestive Disorders
• Food Allergies & Food Sensitivities
• Veterinary Toxicology
• Client Education

Credentials

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• 6+ years of experience in Small Animal Medicine
• Experience in General Practice, Small Animal Clinics, and Shelter Medicine
• Fear Free Certified Professional® (FFCP)
• RECOVER CPR Certified
• Member, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Ongoing Continuing Veterinary Education in:
  • Canine Nutrition
  • Small Animal Internal Medicine
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Veterinary Toxicology

Personal

Outside the clinic, Dr. Friedman enjoys spending time with her dog, Duke, who has inspired many of the everyday food safety questions she researches and writes about. She is passionate about helping dog owners make confident, informed decisions that support their pets’ long-term health and well-being.