Editorial Policy
At whatdogscaneat.com, every article is here to answer one question reliably: is this food safe for your dog? Because the answer can affect your dog’s health, and in some cases their life, we hold our content to a higher standard than a typical blog. This page explains how our articles are researched, written, reviewed, and kept up to date, so you know who is behind the advice you’re reading and how far you can trust it.
Our Mission
We help dog owners get clear, accurate answers about what their dogs can and cannot safely eat. There is a lot of bad information online about canine nutrition, and some of it is dangerous. A food that is harmless to people can be toxic to dogs. Our goal is to be the resource you can rely on before you share that piece of fruit, vegetable, or meat with your pet.
Who Writes Our Content
Every article on whatdogscaneat.com is written by a licensed veterinarian who holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The veterinarian credited as the author is the person who actually researched and wrote the article.
Because our entire site is about diet, our focus stays squarely on canine nutrition and food safety. Every article is written by a veterinarian and reviewed by a second one, and our writing is grounded in current veterinary nutrition and toxicology rather than general guesswork.
Each author’s name, qualifications, and professional background appear on the article and link to a full author biography, so you can always check who wrote what you’re reading and confirm their credentials.
Our Veterinary Team
Our content is created by the following licensed veterinarians:
- Dr. Grace Mullen, DVM. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
- Dr. Bradley Pierson, DVM. BSc in Animal Science and DVM, University of Illinois.
- Dr. Lara Friedman, DVM. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Dr. Jayden DeWitt, DVM. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet).
- Dr. Lorenzo Bertelli, DVM. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.
Editorial Leadership
Our editorial standards are overseen by our Editor-in-Chief, Abdul Waheed, who is responsible for upholding the policies on this page, the accuracy and quality of what we publish, and the integrity of our review process. Final accountability for our content rests with the Editor-in-Chief.
Our Two-Veterinarian Review Process
This is the most important part of how we work, and how our content differs from most pet websites.
Every article goes through two veterinarians, not one:
- A veterinarian writes the article. They research current veterinary nutrition science, draw on clinical experience, and explain the answer in plain language.
- A second, independent veterinarian reviews it. This vet fact-checks every claim, confirms the safety guidance is accurate, and makes sure nothing misleading or incomplete slips through.
Separately from the medical review, every article also goes through an editorial copy-edit that checks the writing for clarity and plain language, without changing any of the veterinary guidance. An article is published only once both veterinarians agree it is accurate, complete, and safe to act on. The reviewing veterinarian is always a different person from the author, so no single individual has the final say on what we publish. Both the author and the medical reviewer are credited on the page, along with the date the article was last reviewed.
Sourcing and References
Our content is based on credible, reliable sources, including peer-reviewed veterinary research, established veterinary and animal health organizations, and recognized clinical references. When a claim comes from published research or official guidance, we cite it so you can read the source yourself.
We do not base safety guidance on anecdotes, forum posts, or unverified online claims.
When the Evidence Is Limited, or Experts Disagree
Not every food has a clear, settled answer. For foods where the research is limited or veterinary opinion is divided, we do not guess, and we do not present uncertainty as fact. We say plainly what is and is not known, and we defer to recognized veterinary authorities, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and board-certified veterinary nutrition guidance from the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN). In these cases, our priority is always your dog’s safety, so when there is real doubt, we err on the side of caution.
Accuracy and Fact-Checking
Accuracy is not optional on a site about what your dog eats. Every factual and medical claim is checked during the review process described above. We pay particular attention to:
- Whether a food is safe, unsafe, or only safe in certain conditions
- Safe quantities and serving guidance, where relevant
- Risks such as toxicity, choking hazards, digestive problems, or allergic reactions
- Symptoms to watch for, and when to seek veterinary help
If we cannot confirm a claim to our standard, we do not publish it.
Keeping Content Up to Date
Veterinary knowledge changes over time, and we update our content to keep up. Each article shows the date it was last reviewed by a veterinarian, so you always know how recent the information is. If new research changes what we know about a particular food, we update the relevant articles to match.
Corrections Policy
We want to get things right, and to fix things quickly when we don’t. If you think any of our content contains an error, please contact our Editor-in-Chief, [Editor-in-Chief name], at [Editor-in-Chief email]. We review every report, and when we confirm a mistake, we correct it promptly and clearly. Significant corrections to published guidance are noted on the article so readers know about the change.
Editorial Independence
Our recommendations are based on veterinary evidence and your dog’s wellbeing. Nothing else.
whatdogscaneat.com may earn revenue through advertising and affiliate partnerships. Where it does, this does not influence our editorial content. We never call a food safe, or warn against one as unsafe, because of a commercial relationship. Our veterinarians’ guidance is decided only by the evidence, and our advertising and content teams work independently of each other. Where an article contains affiliate links or sponsored content, we say so clearly.
Important: This Is Not a Substitute for Professional Veterinary Advice
The content on whatdogscaneat.com is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. Although our articles are written and reviewed by veterinarians, reading them does not create a formal relationship between you and a veterinarian, and our content cannot account for your individual dog.
Every dog is different. Age, breed, size, weight, allergies, and existing health conditions all affect how a food may impact your pet. Always check with your own veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet, and follow their guidance over any general information you read online.
If you think your dog has eaten something toxic or is showing signs of illness, contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital, or a pet poison helpline right away. (888) 426.4435. Do not wait. In cases of poisoning, time matters.
Contact Us
We welcome your questions, feedback, and corrections. You can reach our editorial team at info@whatdogscanteat.com.