Editorial Policy

Our Mission

PetScienceReview exists to help pet owners make better-informed decisions about the products they buy for their animals — by applying rigorous, safety-first analysis to a category that is too often dominated by marketing claims and undisclosed conflicts of interest.

We believe that honest, independent pet product reviews are a public good. Our editorial decisions are made on the basis of what serves the reader and their pet, not what maximizes short-term affiliate revenue. A recalled product is never recommended regardless of commission rates.

Editorial Independence

Our editorial team operates independently of our commercial relationships. The following practices are non-negotiable:

• No pay-to-rank. We do not accept payment — in cash, product, or any other form — to improve a product's rating, position, or coverage.
• No undisclosed sponsorships. If content is sponsored or produced in partnership with a brand, it is labeled clearly as sponsored. Sponsored content does not influence the ratings or coverage of products in independent editorial reviews.
• Affiliate relationships do not drive editorial decisions. We regularly recommend products that have no affiliate program, lower commission rates, or are sold through channels where we earn nothing. The best product for the pet and owner gets the top spot.
• Free products are disclosed. If a product was provided at no cost for review, this is disclosed in the article. Our editorial standards require the same critical analysis regardless of how we acquired the product.
• Safety always overrides ranking. A product with an active recall or confirmed hazardous ingredient is not recommended regardless of any commercial relationship.
• No pressure from advertisers. We do not allow current or prospective advertising relationships to influence editorial coverage. A brand that advertises on this site receives no preferential treatment in our reviews.

Content Standards

Evidence Requirements

Every factual claim about product safety or performance must be supported by a cited source. We prioritize:

• Authoritative safety databases: CPSC, FDA, ASPCA Animal Poison Control, AAFCO
• Peer-reviewed veterinary literature for nutritional and health claims
• Verified purchase owner reviews for real-world performance and pet acceptance
• Published third-party testing results where available

When evidence conflicts or is mixed, we present multiple perspectives rather than cherry-picking the most favorable result.

Language Standards

• We use qualified language ("owner reports suggest," "based on verified reviews") rather than absolute claims ("your dog will love this")
• We explicitly note when recommendations depend on breed size, age, dietary needs, or individual pet behavior
• We do not diagnose veterinary conditions, prescribe treatments, or make individualized medical or dietary recommendations for specific animals
• We do not use manipulative urgency language ("buy now before it's gone") in editorial content
• We do not claim any product prevents, treats, or cures any veterinary condition or disease

Authorship Standards

• No fake human personas, fictional named reviewers, or fabricated staff credentials
• No first-person product testing claims unless the testing actually occurred and is documented
• No fabricated behavior observations or made-up owner anecdotes
• Every assessment clearly states its basis: user community synthesis, safety database review, or published third-party testing

Affiliate Disclosure

Some articles on this site contain affiliate links. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Affiliate disclosures are displayed automatically at the top of every article containing affiliate links. We also maintain a dedicated disclosure page.

Our affiliate relationships do not influence editorial conclusions. We use the Amazon affiliate program (petsciencereview-20) and may link to other pet product retailers including Chewy. We link to the most competitive option for the reader, not necessarily the highest-commission retailer.

Veterinary Disclaimer

Content on PetScienceReview is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We recommend consulting a licensed veterinarian for any health decisions affecting your pet.

We do not diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, or make individualized medical recommendations for specific animals. Safety warnings about toxic ingredients or recalled products are based on authoritative sources (CPSC, FDA, ASPCA) and should be verified with your veterinarian for your specific pet's situation.

Corrections Policy

We take accuracy seriously. If you believe any content contains a factual error:

• Safety-related corrections (recalls, toxic ingredients, hazardous construction): addressed immediately with prominent disclosure at the top of the article.
• Editorial corrections: investigated and corrected within 5 business days of a verified report.
• All verified corrections are noted at the bottom of the updated article. We do not make silent edits.
• No commercial pressure. We never remove negative coverage or alter editorial conclusions in response to commercial relationships.

To submit a correction, contact us at hello@petsciencereview.com.

Contact

For corrections, editorial feedback, or questions about our policies, reach us at hello@petsciencereview.com.