Editorial Guidelines

Last updated June 2026

PawProof publishes independent food, gear, care, and safety guides for dog and cat owners. These guidelines explain how we choose topics, source claims, handle health coverage, separate advertising from editorial work, and correct mistakes.

What we cover

We cover practical owner decisions: pet food, treats, feeding amounts, litter boxes, toys, beds, crates, harnesses, first aid basics, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, behavior setup, and whether a pet fits a household. We avoid diagnosis, treatment plans, and breed-specific medical advice that belongs with a veterinarian.

Sources we trust

We prefer primary and authoritative sources: AVMA, AAHA, ASPCA, AKC, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, CDC, CAPC, Merck Veterinary Manual, WSAVA, VCA, IATA for pet travel containers, and manufacturer pages for product specifications. Product prices are presented as dated estimates, not fixed promises.

Medical and safety claims need clear sourcing. If major sources disagree, we say so and explain the practical range instead of forcing one clean answer.

How recommendations work

A product recommendation must answer a real use case. We sort by life stage, size, ingredient fit, safety, cleaning burden, durability, household type, and cost. A pick can be good and still wrong for a specific pet, so our cards name the tradeoff instead of hiding it.

We do not accept payment to place a product, praise a brand, or change a ranking. If a commercial relationship could be material to a reader's decision, we disclose it near the recommendation.

Health and safety language

PawProof is informational. We are not a veterinary clinic and we do not diagnose. Pages about illness signs, first aid, vaccines, parasites, toxins, pain, breathing, appetite loss, or urinary issues use conservative language and tell readers when to call a veterinarian or emergency hospital.

Updates and corrections

Each page shows a review month. We update pages when product availability, prices, guidance, or safety information changes enough to affect the decision. A typo or broken link may be fixed quietly. A material correction, such as a changed safety recommendation or product detail that affects the takeaway, is corrected in the page and the review date is updated.

Use of tools

Research and drafting tools may help organize source material, outlines, and page structure. They do not replace source checking, editorial judgment, or the writer's responsibility for the final guide.

Advertising separation

PawProof is supported by display advertising and may use affiliate links in the future. Ads are separated from editorial content. Advertisers do not assign topics, edit copy, approve rankings, or receive advance control over conclusions.

How to report a problem

Send corrections to hello@pawproof.org or use Contact. Include the page URL, the sentence or figure, and the source you think we should review.