The Journal

Clinical validation refers to a structured process of research, development, and testing, overseen by nutritionists or veterinarians, in which a diet is fed to live animals under controlled conditions and evaluated against defined endpoints.  It is worth noting early that clinically validated is not a legally defined term or regulated phrase in the pet food industry. Any company can claim it. That makes it important to understand what separates superficial...

Most dog owners can recognize when something is “off” - a subtle change in stool, appetite, energy, or behavior. These can often be the first signs something inside the body has changed.  In clinical practice, these observations matter. Even small changes from your dog’s normal routine can reflect shifts in digestive function, microbiome balance, or systemic inflammation, long before overt disease presents.  We know the type and quality of the food dogs eat can affect their health, especially long-term. Nutrition is...

Fresh diets operate under a different safety profile than shelf-stable kibble.. Their higher moisture content and reliance on whole ingredients require a different system of quality control — one that more closely resembles human food manufacturing than traditional pet food production.  The differences in ingredients affect how fresh food is produced and handled.  Safety and consistency must be managed during production, storage, and distribution. Below are several areas where fresh pet foods require additional attention compared...

“Complete and balanced” is a defined nutritional claim, not a marketing phrase. It indicates whether a food is intended to provide all essential nutrients required for a pet’s life stage.  

It's very likely that if your veterinarian has discussed your pet’s nutritional needs with you, they’ve advised you to look for diets that meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards. Maybe you’ve had a look at a few pet foods, and you’re now realizing that it's a complicated process to understand what all the writing on the back of a food label means in real terms for your pet’s...