Editorial Policy: How We Research and Write
Last updated: October 17, 2026
This page explains how Pets Supplies chooses topics, researches facts, handles health information, looks at products and keeps articles accurate over time. It applies to every article on the site, including articles from outside contributors and partners.
Who writes our articles
Every article is written by Jason Hill, our Head of Product. His dog Barnaby and cat Cleo are where his first-hand experience comes from, so articles about dogs and cats can include what happened in his own home. Birds, horses, reptiles and amphibians are research-led: Jason doesn’t keep them, he says so in the article, and every care number comes from veterinary and species sources. Jason isn’t a veterinarian and never presents himself as one.
Our standards in short
- We write for real pet owners, in plain US English, and put the useful answer first.
- Health, nutrition and safety facts must come from a reliable source, and we link to it.
- We never diagnose, never give medication doses and always point readers to a vet for health decisions.
- We say what we know from our own experience and what comes from research, and we don’t blur the two.
- Nobody can pay us to change what we say about a product.
- We fix confirmed mistakes quickly and keep a visible “Last updated” date on every article.
Where our facts come from
We rank sources by how much weight they carry. A claim about health, nutrition or safety needs at least one source from the first two tiers.
| Tier | Type of source | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Veterinary bodies, regulators and university vet schools | AVMA, AAHA, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, AAFCO, Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, Cornell Feline Health Center, WSAVA nutrition guidelines |
| 2 | Veterinary references and peer-reviewed research | Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA Animal Hospitals, published studies in veterinary journals |
| 3 | Species and welfare organizations | American Kennel Club, ASPCA, American Association of Equine Practitioners, Association of Avian Veterinarians, Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians |
| 4 | Manufacturers and retailers | Product labels, official specifications and recall notices, used only for product facts, never for health claims |
We don’t use forums, social media posts or other blogs as a source for health facts. If reliable sources disagree, we say so and explain the range of views rather than picking the most exciting one.
How we handle health information
Pet health is where bad advice does the most damage, so these articles get the most care:
- We describe symptoms and causes in general terms and explain when a problem needs a vet, and when it needs one urgently.
- We don’t give medication or supplement doses, because the right dose depends on the animal’s weight, age, health and other medicines.
- We flag foods, plants and products that are toxic to pets and link to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Every health article includes a reminder to check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, exercise or care.
How we look at products and supplies
When we compare or recommend supplies, we judge them on the same core criteria, weighted by what matters most for each type of animal.
| Animal | What we check first | Common dealbreakers |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | Size and fit, chew resistance, safety of materials, ease of cleaning | Small parts that can be swallowed, poor fit for the dog’s size |
| Cats | Safety, how cats actually use it, noise and stability, easy cleaning | Toxic materials, strings or small parts left unsupervised |
| Birds | Bird-safe materials, bar spacing and cage size, easy cleaning | Zinc or lead hazards, coatings that can be chewed off |
| Horses | Fit, durability outdoors, safety of fastenings, weather resistance | Pressure points, parts that can trap a hoof or leg |
| Reptiles and amphibians | Correct heat and UVB for the species, secure enclosure, temperature control | Unregulated heat sources, enclosures that are too small |
We say who a product suits and who should skip it, and we try to include at least one honest downside. When we haven’t used a product ourselves, our view is based on its specifications, manufacturer information and published guidance, and we say so. Prices and product details change, so we always suggest checking the label and the retailer’s page before you buy.
Contributed and partner content
Some articles on Pets Supplies are written by outside contributors or published in partnership with other businesses. They go through the same checks as our own articles: the facts must be accurate and sourced, the advice must be safe, and product claims must not mislead. We edit or decline submissions that don’t meet these standards. Following the FTC’s Endorsement Guides, we don’t allow anyone to present a paid relationship as an independent opinion.
Keeping articles accurate
- Regular reviews. We revisit older articles to check facts, links and product details, and rewrite pieces that no longer meet our standards.
- Visible dates. Each article shows the date it was last updated.
- Corrections. If a reader or our own review finds a factual error, we correct it as soon as we’ve confirmed it. Significant corrections to health or safety information are noted in the article.
- Reader reports. You can report a problem on our contact page or at contact@petssupplies.us.
Independence
We choose what to write about based on what pet owners need to know. Our editorial decisions aren’t for sale, and no company reviews or approves our articles before they’re published. How the site is funded is explained on our About page and in our Disclaimer.