Sources
The kinds of references behind our guides, and the official sources we link to directly.
Our guides draw on veterinary and official information for anything involving safety or health, and on hands-on experience for practical technique. We link out only to official government sources, so readers can check them directly without passing through commercial sites.
Official US sources we link to
- US Food and Drug Administration, Animal & Veterinary: regulation of animal drugs and pet food, and consumer safety information for pet owners.
- FDA consumer update on xylitol and dogs: why human products containing xylitol, including some toothpastes, are dangerous for dogs. Cited in dog dental care at home.
- US Environmental Protection Agency, pets and pesticides: how flea and tick products are regulated and why label directions matter. Cited in bathing a dog at home and cat grooming basics.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthy Pets: hygiene around pets and diseases that can pass between animals and people.
Other sources we read but don't link
- Veterinary school and veterinary association owner information on topics such as ear care, dental disease, nail care, heat stress and skin problems.
- Product labels and manufacturer instructions for how tool types and products are meant to be used.
- State and local government pages when describing rules that vary, such as grooming business requirements; we tell readers to check their own state's rules rather than summarizing all of them.
Sources we avoid for safety claims
Product listings, sponsored content, forums and other blogs. They're useful for understanding what owners worry about, not for deciding what's safe.
Our method is described in full in how we research. If you think a source is out of date or a link has broken, please tell us.