Editorial policy

Where entries come from

Every claim on a food page is backed by a source we opened and read. We accept seven organisations: the American Kennel Club (AKC), the ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, the Merck Veterinary Manual, the Royal Kennel Club, PDSA and VCA Animal Hospitals. Each food page lists the sources, the date they were checked and the passage relied on. We do not use blogs, forums, product pages or our own opinion to decide a verdict.

What each verdict means

• Safe: at least one accepted source says dogs can eat it. A safe verdict always carries its conditions, such as “plain, cooked” or “remove the seeds”, and never means unlimited amounts.
• Caution: at least one accepted source says it is fine only in small amounts or certain forms, or that part of it is risky.
• Toxic: at least two accepted sources from different organisations say it can harm dogs or should not be given.
• Not covered: we have not checked this food. That does not mean it is safe. If your dog has eaten it, call your vet.

When sources disagree, we use the more cautious verdict and say so on the page.

What we leave out

We do not give treatment advice, home remedies or instructions to make a dog vomit. We do not give doses or safe amounts unless an accepted source states them. We do not claim veterinary review, partners or popularity.

How an entry is approved

1. An entry is drafted from its sources and checked automatically: accepted source organisations, access dates, short supporting passages, required fields, banned wording and working links.
2. A person reads each claim against its source and approves the entry. Only an approved entry can be published. Editing a published entry withdraws its approval until it is approved again.
3. The page shows when it was last reviewed and, where an editor is named, by whom.

SnoopyDogs is not a veterinary practice, and nobody involved is presented as a veterinarian.

Guides

The guides on the blog follow the same rules as the food pages. Every statement links to the quoted passage it relies on, any statement that a food is toxic needs two organisations, and a guide is published only after a person approves it. Where sources disagree, the guide gives both.

How often entries are checked

Each entry is rechecked against its sources at least every 12 months, and sooner when a source changes its advice or someone reports a problem.

Corrections

If you find something wrong or out of date, report an error. Corrections are listed here with their date.

No corrections have been published yet.

Commercial links

Links that earn commission, and adverts, never change a verdict. They never appear on toxic or caution pages or on the Emergency page. See the affiliate disclosure.