Policy
Editorial Standards
How we test, how we score, and how we stay independent of the brands we cover.
Our testing process
Every product we cover goes through a four-stage editorial test before we publish a verdict. We do not write reviews from press kits. The testing window is a minimum of 28 days of daily use on a real dog. Most reviews run six to eight weeks.
- Ingredient audit. Listed actives are cross-checked against the veterinary dental literature. Products whose only "actives" are flavoring or surfactants do not move to stage two.
- Daily-use trial. The product is used daily on the test dog. Use is logged. Adverse reactions are documented.
- Photographic record. Day-1 and end-of-trial photos of the gum line and tooth surface are taken with controlled lighting and kept on file.
- Vet-of-record observation. Where the testing window overlaps a scheduled vet visit, we ask the attending vet to note any visible change in oral condition.
How we score
Every product gets a single 1-to-5 score made up of four equally weighted components:
- Active chemistry credibility (does the formula actually do what it claims)
- Real-world result (what changed in the trial dog)
- Compliance friction (how likely a real owner is to actually use it daily)
- Value (per-day cost vs the alternative)
Scores are recalculated annually for products still in active production. A score from 2024 that is now four years old will be re-tested before it is republished.
Affiliate disclosure
K9 Dental Review uses affiliate links on most reviewed products. When a reader clicks one of those links and makes a purchase, the retailer pays us a small commission. The price the reader pays is the same with or without our link.
Affiliate revenue is the only commercial revenue we accept. We do not accept:
- Sponsored articles
- Paid placements
- "Pay to get reviewed" arrangements
- Editorial influence from any brand, regardless of commercial relationship
If a brand pays us no commission, that brand still gets reviewed using the same rubric. We have published 1-star verdicts on products that pay us a commission. We have published 5-star verdicts on products that do not.
Conflict of interest
No member of the editorial team holds equity in any brand we cover. No member accepts personal gifts from brands beyond product samples necessary for testing, which are disclosed inside the relevant article when the product was provided rather than purchased.
Corrections policy
If you spot a factual error, write to us at our contact page. We correct factual errors within 48 hours of confirmation, and we keep a public log of significant corrections at the bottom of the affected article.
Veterinary notice
K9 Dental Review is an editorial publication, not a veterinary clinic. Nothing on this site is a substitute for veterinary advice. For your dog's specific medical condition, consult a licensed veterinarian.