How We Research
In short
We read labels and public sources. We do not feed-test products, we are not veterinarians, and commissions never decide a ranking.
Best Puppies Food is an independent, research-based guide to puppy food and puppy care. We want to be clear about what that means.
What we do
- Read the ingredient list, guaranteed analysis and AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on each product label (for example “formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth”).
- Check manufacturer recall history against the U.S. FDA recall database.
- Compare feeding amounts, price per pound and life-stage and breed-size suitability from the manufacturer’s published information.
- Cross-check general guidance against public sources such as the AAFCO, the FDA and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) nutritional guidelines.
What we do not do
- We do not feed-test products ourselves, and our reviews are not lab tests. We call them research-based reviews or label analyses.
- We are not veterinarians. Nothing on this site is veterinary advice.
How products are ranked
Rankings reflect label quality, nutritional adequacy for growth, recall history, availability and value. Some links on this site are affiliate links. Commissions never decide ranking; see our affiliate disclosure and editorial policy.
Sources
- AAFCO (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. FDA animal and veterinary recalls (opens in a new tab)
- WSAVA global nutrition guidelines (opens in a new tab)
Found a mistake? See our corrections policy.