Methodology

Where our verdicts come from

Every food safety verdict on this site is sourced from published veterinary authorities, not inferred, guessed, or generated from general knowledge. Sources we draw from include:

• The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center - a national resource that tracks and publishes toxicity data for household foods and substances.
• The Pet Poison Helpline - a veterinary-staffed poison control service that publishes species-specific toxicity guidance.
• The Merck Veterinary Manual - a peer-reviewed clinical reference used by practicing veterinarians.
• Peer-reviewed veterinary and toxicology literature, and veterinary school extension resources, where the above sources do not cover a specific food.

Every verdict on this site cites at least one of these sources. A verdict with no citation does not ship - this is enforced by an automated check that fails the build if a source is missing.

Our verdict taxonomy

Every food is scored for dogs and for cats separately, since toxicity often differs by species. We use four verdict levels:

• Safe - generally fine in small amounts as an occasional treat. A safe verdict may include general serving guidance, but never a specific dose or therapeutic claim.
• Caution - carries a specific, named risk (for example fat content, choking hazard, or a common allergen) that depends on the individual animal. Caution verdicts tell you to ask your veterinarian before feeding it.
• Toxic - known to be harmful. Toxic pages lead with the danger and the recommended action, not with background prose.
• Emergency - can cause severe or life-threatening reactions. Emergency pages display a prominent banner with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number, (888) 426-4435, and instructions to contact a veterinarian immediately.

Where our sources disagree with each other, we take the more conservative verdict and note the disagreement in the page copy.

Review cadence

Every verdict carries a reviewed date. We re-check verdicts against current source material on a recurring cadence and after any relevant update from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, or Merck. A reviewed date is never updated without an actual re-verification of the underlying sources.

What this site does not do

We draw a hard line around a few things, on purpose, and we do not cross it for any article, tool, or page:

• No dosing. We never publish a milligram amount, a mg/kg or mg/lb figure, or any instruction telling you how much of anything to give your pet.
• No diagnosis. We do not tell you what is wrong with your pet based on symptoms you describe. Our health content is general and preventive, not diagnostic.
• No treatment. We do not recommend a course of treatment, medication, or home remedy for a sick or poisoned pet. If your pet may have eaten something dangerous, the answer is always the same: contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.