The sources we rely on
Every verdict is cross-checked against established animal-health authorities and peer-reviewed veterinary nutrition guidance, including:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — toxicity data for foods and household items.
- American Kennel Club (AKC) — canine nutrition and feeding guidance.
- Pet Poison Helpline — emergency toxicity references and symptoms.
- Peer-reviewed veterinary nutrition research — for energy requirements and feeding formulas used in our calculators.
How our three verdicts work
Where authoritative sources disagree or evidence is thin, we choose the more cautious verdict and say so in the page.
Species matter
Dogs and cats metabolize foods differently, so we keep separate verdicts for each. A food that's a healthy treat for a dog can be pointless — or risky — for a cat, and vice versa.
How the calculators work
Our feeding calculator uses the standard veterinary Resting Energy Requirement formula (RER = 70 × bodyweightkg0.75) multiplied by a life-stage activity factor. The pet age calculator uses modern, size-adjusted aging curves rather than the outdated "multiply by seven" rule. Both are estimates and a starting point — your vet's guidance always comes first.
Updates
We review our database regularly and update verdicts as guidance evolves. Each food page shows when it was last reviewed.