Editorial Policy | Can Dogs Eat

Core Editorial Principles

1. Evidence-Based Content

Every claim about food safety must be supported by credible veterinary sources:

✓ Peer-reviewed veterinary research
✓ Official guidance from recognized organizations (AKC, FDA, ASPCA)
✓ Clinical toxicology data
✓ Veterinary medical textbooks and references

What we do NOT accept: Anecdotal evidence, social media claims, or unverified personal experiences as primary sources.

2. Veterinary Review Requirement

All content undergoes review by licensed veterinary professionals before publication:

✓ Reviewers must hold current veterinary licenses (DVM or equivalent)
✓ Preference for board-certified specialists in relevant fields
✓ Review focuses on medical accuracy and safety guidance
✓ Reviewers have final authority on medical claims

Learn about our Medical Review Board.

3. Emergency-First Approach

We recognize that some users visit during emergencies. Our content structure reflects this:

✓ Clear safety indicators at the top (Toxic/Safe/Caution)
✓ Emergency guidance prominently displayed for toxic foods
✓ Immediate action steps before detailed explanations
✓ Direct links to poison control hotlines

4. Transparency & Source Citation

All sources must be:

✓ Clearly cited with links when available
✓ From authoritative organizations or peer-reviewed journals
✓ Recent (preference for sources within last 5 years)
✓ Verified and accessible

5. Regular Content Updates

Veterinary science evolves. We commit to:

✓ Annual review of all articles
✓ Immediate updates when new safety information emerges
✓ Clear display of publication and update dates
✓ Archiving of major content changes

Content Creation Process

Step 1: Research & Writing

Our editorial team:

1. Identifies topics based on user needs and search data
2. Conducts comprehensive research using only approved sources
3. Drafts content following our style guide and structure
4. Cites all sources with proper attribution

Step 2: Editorial Review

Senior editors verify:

✓ All claims are properly sourced
✓ Structure follows emergency-first principles
✓ Language is clear and accessible
✓ Disclaimers are present and appropriate

Step 3: Veterinary Review

Licensed veterinarians:

✓ Verify medical accuracy of all statements
✓ Assess appropriateness of safety classifications
✓ Ensure emergency guidance is correct
✓ Approve or request revisions

Step 4: Final Quality Check

Before publication:

✓ Fact-checking of all statistics and claims
✓ Link verification (all sources must be accessible)
✓ Metadata and SEO optimization
✓ Accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.1 AA)

Step 5: Publication & Monitoring

After publishing:

✓ Monitor for user feedback and corrections
✓ Track emerging research on the topic
✓ Schedule annual review
✓ Update as needed

Approved Sources

We only use sources from these categories:

✅ Tier 1 Sources (Preferred)

• Peer-reviewed veterinary journals
• FDA/USDA official guidance
• AKC official resources
• ASPCA Poison Control database
• Board-certified veterinary specialists

✓ Tier 2 Sources (Acceptable)

• Veterinary medical textbooks
• Established veterinary organizations
• University veterinary schools
• Clinical toxicology reports
• Credentialed veterinary experts

❌ Prohibited Sources

• Social media posts or comments
• Personal blogs without credentials
• Commercial pet food websites with conflicts of interest
• Content farms or AI-generated content without verification
• Anecdotal evidence as primary source

Corrections Policy

We take accuracy seriously. If an error is found:

For Minor Errors (typos, formatting)

• Corrected immediately without notation
• Updated date stamp changed

For Factual Errors

• Correction made immediately
• Correction notice added at top of article
• Updated date stamp changed
• Veterinary re-review if medical claim affected

For Safety-Critical Errors

• Article immediately unpublished
• Emergency veterinary review
• Comprehensive fact-check
• Prominent correction notice on republication
• Internal review of how error occurred

Report corrections: [email protected]

Conflicts of Interest

Editorial Independence

We maintain strict separation between editorial content and any commercial relationships:

✓ Editorial decisions are never influenced by advertisers or partners
✓ All commercial relationships are disclosed
✓ We do not accept payment for positive coverage
✓ Product recommendations (if any) are clearly marked and based solely on safety criteria

See our full Disclosures.

Medical Disclaimer

This Website Provides Educational Information Only

While we work with licensed veterinary professionals and base our content on trusted sources, this website is NOT a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have regarding your pet's health or medical condition.

Never disregard professional veterinary advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Contact Our Editorial Team

Editorial Policy & Standards