The Pup Guide publishes practical dog- and puppy-care guidance. This page explains exactly who writes it, how we research it, and what we will and won’t claim — so you can judge our advice for yourself.
Who writes The Pup Guide
The Pup Guide is written and maintained by a small editorial team of long-time dog owners and researchers. We are not veterinarians, and we don’t employ or contract one. We say this plainly because the internet is full of pet sites that imply clinical authority they don’t have.
What we actually do is narrower and, we think, more useful: we take the questions dog owners genuinely search for, track down what established veterinary and canine-nutrition bodies say about them, and translate that into plain, specific, actionable answers — with the dangerous edge cases called out rather than buried.
Where our information comes from
Every health, food, or safety claim on this site is checked against recognised reference sources rather than other blogs. Our standard references include:
- American Kennel Club (AKC) — breed, care, and general canine guidance
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — toxicity and poisoning thresholds
- VCA Animal Hospitals and the MSD/Merck Veterinary Manual — clinical and physiological detail
- AAFCO nutrient profiles and published canine-nutrition guidance — feeding, portions, and diet composition
- FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine — recalls, warnings, and pet-food safety notices
Where sources disagree, or where the honest answer is “it depends on your dog,” we say so instead of inventing a confident number.
How we handle safety content
Food-safety and toxicity guidance follows a fixed discipline:
- The verdict comes first. Safe, safe-in-moderation, or not safe — stated in the opening lines, never withheld to keep you scrolling.
- Genuine danger is never softened. If something is toxic, causes obstruction, or is a choking risk, that warning is prominent and unqualified.
- Portions are specific. Where a safe amount depends on the dog, we give it by body weight rather than a vague “a little is fine.”
- We tell you when to stop reading and call someone. Emergency guidance points to your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435), not to another article.
What we will never do
- Invent credentials. No fictional “reviewed by Dr. —” bylines, and no claim that a vet has checked our work when none has.
- Fabricate studies or statistics. If we cite a figure, it comes from a real, checkable source.
- Diagnose your dog. We publish general information. We cannot examine your animal, and nothing here substitutes for a professional who can.
- Let commerce steer the advice. See below.
Reviews, updates, and corrections
Guides are revisited as guidance changes, as recalls are issued, and as we find things worth improving. Every article shows its last-updated date.
If you find an error, we want to know. Tell us via our contact page and point us at the specific claim. Substantive corrections are made to the article itself, not quietly dropped.
How we stay independent
The Pup Guide is reader-supported. Some links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This never determines what we recommend: we are not paid by manufacturers to feature products, we don’t accept payment for favourable coverage, and a product’s commission rate plays no part in whether it appears. Where we think the best option is one we earn nothing from, we say so. Full detail is on our affiliate disclosure page.
Medical disclaimer
The content on The Pup Guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your individual dog’s health, diet, and care. If you believe your dog has eaten something harmful or is in distress, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.