The short version
We read the policy documents and ingredient lists in full, do the yearly cost math, and check what long-term owners report. Every guide gets an editorial review for clarity, sourcing, and consistency before it goes live.
What we do for every product we cover
- Read the documents. Plan terms, ingredient lists, policy exclusions. That is where pet products hide their catches.
- Do the yearly math. Monthly prices are designed to look small. We show what a year actually costs.
- Read owner reports. Which toys survive, which trackers hold a charge, which insurers pay claims without a fight.
- Compare real alternatives. Every guide answers "why this instead of X," including sticking with what you have.
- Revisit on change. Plans, formulas, and prices move. We update the major guides and date every article.
What we do not do
- We do not take paid placements. Rankings cannot be bought.
- We do not pretend. Our assessments are research-based, and we say so.
- We do not diagnose. We research products; your vet handles your pet.
Our scoring rubric
When we score products, we weight four factors:
- Value: 30%. What you get for the price, including free tiers and long-term costs.
- Features: 30%. How complete the feature set is for the job.
- Owner feedback: 25%. Patterns from long-term user reports, not single anecdotes.
- Support and warranty: 15%. Help quality, guarantees, and company track record.
Ratings are editorial judgments based on research, not lab-test measurements.