Fact-checking and corrections
Grooming advice can cause real harm if it's wrong. Here's how we check what we publish and what happens when someone spots a mistake.
What we check
Before a guide is published, and whenever it's updated, we review:
- Safety claims, for example that human toothpaste can contain xylitol, that some dog flea products are dangerous to cats, or that heated cage dryers carry a risk of overheating. These are checked against veterinary or official sources.
- Technique, to make sure steps are in a safe order (brushing before bathing, coat brushed before clipping) and nothing encourages a risky shortcut.
- Vet referrals, making sure every guide that touches health lists clear warning signs and sends readers to a vet for them.
- Rules that vary, such as licensing for groomers or vaccination requirements, which we describe as varying by state or locality rather than stating a single rule.
- Links, confirming that external links go to the official source we intend.
Language we check for
We remove anything that overstates certainty, implies a credential we don't have, or could be read as a recommendation to medicate. Where evidence is thin or mixed, the guide says so.
Review dates
Each guide shows its last updated date. We revisit guides when sources change, when readers raise questions, and as part of regular reviews of the whole site.
Reporting an error
Email [email protected] with the page, the problem and, if possible, a source. We'll check it, fix confirmed errors promptly and, if the change affects safety advice, update the page date. We're grateful for every correction.
See also our editorial policy and how we research.