Pet food guides
Plain-English guides to choosing dog and cat food, built on the same sourced data as our grades.
WSAVA guidelines: which pet foods meet them?There's no such thing as a WSAVA-approved food. Here's what the guidelines actually ask, and how the best-selling brands answer.Grain-free dog food and heart disease (DCM): what the FDA foundThe FDA looked into grain-free diets and canine heart disease from 2018. Here's what it found, what it didn't, and what to do.Pet food recalls by brand, 2016 to 2026Every recall we found since 2016 for the best-selling dog and cat foods, treats and chews, each linked to its notice.Do dental chews work? The VOHC seal explainedSome dental chews are proven to reduce plaque and tartar. Here's how to tell which, and which popular chews have the seal.How to read a pet food labelThe six parts of a dog or cat food label worth reading, from the line that matters most to the naming rules most people miss.Wet vs dry cat food: which is better?Water, calories, cost and convenience compared, plus the top-graded wet and dry cat foods.How much does it cost to own a dog or cat?Food, vet bills, insurance and the rest, with yearly food costs worked out from our own price checks.Is pet insurance worth it?What it costs, how claims really work, what plans usually leave out, and the questions to ask before you buy.How long can a dog be left alone?What vets and trainers advise for adult dogs, puppies and crates, and how owners with full-time jobs make it work.Safe chews for dogs: what vets recommend and what to avoidThe thumbnail test, the chews vets warn against, and safer choices for puppies and heavy chewers.Food allergies in dogs and cats: signs, triggers and the elimination dietThe most common food allergens, how vets diagnose a food allergy, and the mistakes that ruin an elimination diet.Senior dog care: arthritis, dementia and what helpsHow to spot joint pain and dementia in an older dog, what treatments exist, and how care changes with age.