Where our information comes from
We use the strongest source that directly supports each claim, roughly in this order:
- Regulators and standards bodies. The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine for pet food regulation, recalls and safety advisories. AAFCO for label rules, ingredient definitions and the nutrient profiles behind a “complete and balanced” statement. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) for nutrition guidelines.
- Poison control and veterinary references. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Pet Poison Helpline and the Merck Veterinary Manual for toxicity and safety questions, along with veterinary school resources.
- Peer-reviewed research. We look first for systematic reviews, consensus statements and guidelines, then individual studies. We note whether a study looked at dogs, cats or another species, and we say so when the evidence is limited or mixed.
- Manufacturers’ labels and product pages. These tell us what’s in a specific product: its ingredients, guaranteed analysis, calories and “complete and balanced” statement. We don’t rely on a manufacturer alone for a broad health or safety conclusion.
Other websites, search results, retailer listings and social media help us understand what pet owners are asking. We don’t use them as evidence for health, safety or nutrition claims.
How we check each claim
Before an article is drafted, every material claim is written down beside the source that supports it, along with where in that source it appears and which species it covers. If no source supports a claim as written, we cut it or say plainly that the evidence is uncertain.
Citations sit beside the paragraph they support, and each one links to the full source list at the end of the article. When a statement is PetRoot’s own reading of the evidence, such as how a label rule applies to a particular bag, the article says so.
Review before publication
Every article and safety reference entry is reviewed by PetRoot’s editorial team before it’s published. The review checks safety guidance first, then checks each claim against its cited source. Each article shows when that happened in a line under the byline: “Reviewed by PetRoot’s editorial team on” followed by the date.
Our review is a fact-check against published sources. No veterinarian reviews our articles before they’re published, so please treat them as background for a conversation with your own veterinarian.
Tool pages show their method and sources on the page, and each calculation is checked against worked examples from those sources before the tool launches.
Bylines
Articles carry the byline PetRoot Editorial. It means the article was researched, written and reviewed under the standards on this page.
Independence
PetRoot may earn a commission if you buy through some retailer links. Those links are shown separately and never affect PetRoot Scores, Pet Fit, safety information or recommendations. Brands can’t pay for a score or change one.
Commissions, retailer relationships and how much traffic a topic might bring never decide what an article concludes. How PetRoot scores products explains what goes into a score and what stays out.
Corrections
If you think we’ve got something wrong, email support@petroot.app with “Correction” in the subject line. Include the page link, what you think is wrong and a source if you have one. If the problem is a product’s details or score in the app, use the subject “Product correction” instead.
We read every report. When we confirm an error, we fix it, starting with anything that affects safety, and we aim to correct confirmed errors within 24 hours. If a correction changes a fact you might have relied on, the page notes what changed and when.
Keeping pages current
We update a page when something it depends on changes: an FDA recall or advisory, revised AAFCO or WSAVA guidance, new research, or a change to a product’s formula. The “Updated” date on an article moves only when the content changes in a way that matters to readers. Fixing a typo or adding a link doesn’t count.
We recheck seasonal safety articles before their season comes around again. Changes to how PetRoot scores products are listed with their dates on How PetRoot scores products.
What PetRoot covers
PetRoot is educational. Our articles, tools and safety reference explain what the evidence says about pet food, labels, ingredients and common household hazards for dogs and cats in the US. They don’t diagnose illness, recommend treatments or medication doses, or replace your veterinarian, who knows your pet’s history.
If your pet may have eaten something harmful or has symptoms, contact your veterinarian or one of the poison control lines at the top of this page first.
Contact
For corrections, email support@petroot.app with “Correction” in the subject line. For anything else, including press and partnerships, email hello@petroot.app.