Scroll less, sniff out the truth first

Bark Out Loud by Vivaldis, a purpose-led pet wellness brand, has launched a social impact initiative, #DontBuyTheMyth, a nationwide campaign aimed at dismantling widespread myths and misinformation around pet health and wellbeing. Backed by a strong belief in science-led care and conscious parenting, the campaign features media personality and pet parent Anusha Dandekar along with top influencers who lends their voice to this urgent conversation about the need for informed pet care.

In an age where digital hearsay often trumps expertise, misinformation around pet food, wellness routines, and healthcare is rampant. Pet parents, despite the best intentions, often rely on social media, unverified blogs, and casual advice, leading to decisions that can unknowingly compromise their pet’s wellbeing. From fad diets to misguided grooming practices, these myths aren’t just harmless misconceptions, they create silent suffering for pets who rely on their humans to make the right choices. The campaign puts the spotlight on this overlooked reality.

“In India, awareness around pet wellbeing is still evolving and this gap becomes even more critical during seasons like the monsoon, when pets are especially prone to infections, stress, and dietary imbalances,” said the company’s business head, Devika Khanna. “As a brand deeply committed to pet health, we believe now is the time to shift the narrative, from assumption to education. With #DontBuyTheMyth, we aim to create a trusted knowledge ecosystem that empowers pet parents and ultimately leads to happier, healthier pets. Campaigns like this define our purpose, and we’re proud to lead the change.”

#DontBuyTheMyth will unfold through a digital-first rollout — designed to spark dialogue, drive education, and champion conscious choices in pet parenting. At the heart of the campaign is Pawflix a myth-busting episode series, featuring influencers, certified trainers, and pet nutritionists, each breaking down common misconceptions with equal parts fact and flair.

The campaign also leverages Instagram’s AMA feature to directly answer questions the public has — turning expert knowledge into accessible, real-time advice. To fuel community engagement, the company will launch a ‘Myth versus Fact’ contest, where pet parents stand a chance to win free vet consultation by busting myths themselves and sharing what they’ve learned. Some of the key myths the campaign challenges include, ‘Chocolate can be given to dogs as a treat’, ‘Milk is good for cats’ or ‘Cats can be vegan’.

Campaign’s take: In a world where Dr Google often trumps real vets, Bark Out Loud by Vivaldis is calling out India’s rampant pet-care misinformation with its new #DontBuyTheMyth campaign. Featuring influencer Anusha Dandekar and a string of petfluencers, the digital-first initiative pulls no punches: your pet’s health shouldn't be at the mercy of WhatsApp forwards or half-baked YouTube advice.

Through its myth-busting video series ‘Pawflix’ and interactive AMAs on Instagram, the brand tackles the real threats posed by misinformed feeding, grooming, and wellness habits—like giving cats milk (don’t), or feeding dogs chocolate “just a little” (still toxic). With a mix of humour, science, and some much-needed fact-checking, it’s trying to spark a broader, evidence-led movement.

But while the campaign gets full marks for intent, its real impact will depend on going beyond its Instagram-savvy audience. Not every pet parent follows wellness brands or influencer pages, and awareness needs to travel beyond the urban scroll zones.

A few Pawflix reels alone won’t rewrite deeply entrenched habits—but they might just start the conversation. Because clarity—not fear—is what pets and their humans need more of, especially in a market where caring intentions are too often misled by loud, flashy noise.