Methodology
How we test, how we score, and how we stay independent of the brands we cover.
How we test
Every product we review goes through a four-stage editorial trial before we publish a verdict. The standard trial window is 28 days minimum, with dental and supplement products typically running 6 to 8 weeks.
- Ingredient audit. Active ingredients are cross-checked against the published veterinary literature. Products whose only "actives" are flavoring or surfactants do not advance to in-life testing.
- In-life trial. The product is used daily on a dog from our editorial pool. Use is logged. Adverse events are documented in real time.
- Photographic record. Day-1 and end-of-trial photographs are captured under controlled lighting and retained in our editorial archive.
- Veterinary sign-off. Trials are timed where possible to overlap with a scheduled veterinary visit so a licensed clinician can document any observable change.
Our scoring rubric
Every product is scored from 1.0 to 5.0 across four equally weighted criteria:
- Active chemistry credibility
- Real-world result in the trial dog
- Compliance friction (how likely a real owner is to sustain daily use)
- Value (per-day cost in the context of alternatives)
Scores are revisited annually. A 2023 verdict on a product still in production is re-tested in 2026 before being republished.
Affiliate disclosure
We accept affiliate revenue. When you click an affiliate link in one of our articles and complete a purchase, the retailer pays us a small commission. The price you pay is unaffected.
We do not accept:
- Sponsored articles or paid placements
- "Pay to be reviewed" arrangements
- Editorial influence from any commercial party
A brand that pays us no commission gets reviewed using the same rubric. We have published low scores on products that pay us a commission. We have published high scores on products that do not.
Conflicts of interest
No member of our editorial team holds equity in any brand we cover. We do not accept personal gifts from brands beyond product samples necessary for testing, and where a sample was provided rather than purchased, that is disclosed inside the relevant article.
Corrections
Factual errors are corrected within 48 hours of confirmation. A public log of significant corrections is maintained at the bottom of every affected article. Reach us through our contact page to report an error.
Veterinary notice
The Dog Wellness Journal is an editorial publication. Nothing in our articles is veterinary advice. For your dog's specific clinical condition, consult a licensed veterinarian.