Ethics & editorial policy
Pet food, health, and safety products are YMYL (Your Money Your Life) content. Errors can harm pets. Here is how we keep money and shortcuts from influencing what we publish.
Our safety promise
- We will not knowingly recommend a product that is subject to an active recall or safety advisory, and we remove or flag one as soon as we learn of it.
- We check products against the relevant standard for their category where one exists (AAFCO nutrient profiles for food, ASTM guidance for toys, EPA or FDA registration for pest and health products).
- Health and nutrition statements are linked to authoritative sources such as the AVMA, AAFCO, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Merck Veterinary Manual, and we direct readers to their own veterinarian for medical decisions.
- Affiliate revenue does not influence which products we recommend or which we tell readers to skip.
How we keep money separate from rankings
Rankings are written first, on the basis of specifications, standards and owner feedback. Affiliate links are added afterwards and do not change the order. We do not adjust a ranking to favor a product that pays a higher commission.
Sponsorship policy
We accept no sponsorship of editorial content. Manufacturers may not pay to be reviewed, pay for favorable scores, pay for prominent placement, or pay for inclusion in a "best of" guide.
Research, not testing
Our guides are research-based comparisons. We do not accept free products from manufacturers and we do not claim to have handled a product unless the page says who did so and what they did. Where a guide describes real first-hand use, it names the person, the date and the method. Everywhere else, wording such as "researched", "compared" and "evaluated from published specifications" is the accurate description of our work.
Who writes our content
Guides are published under the ProPawPicks Editorial Team byline. The team is made up of pet owners and researchers, not veterinarians. Our drafting is AI-assisted and every page is human-reviewed. We do not attribute content to named veterinarians or other professionals unless that person actually reviewed it, in which case the reviewer and their role are stated on the page.
Corrections policy
When we make an error, we correct it. Material corrections (verdict changes, safety advisories, wrong product data) are noted on the page with a date. Minor corrections (typos, link fixes) are made silently. Readers can report an error at hello@propawpicks.com.
Recall response
When we become aware of a recall on a product we recommend, we update the guide with a recall notice and a link to the official announcement. Guides are not deleted; they are clearly marked.
Medical disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian for health guidance specific to your pet.