Dr. Maya Sterling, DVM
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2014 · Certified Canine Nutritionist (CASI) · Member, American Veterinary Medical Association
I have spent twelve years in small-animal practice — first at a teaching hospital, then in private clinics across two states. Across thousands of consultations, the same questions kept surfacing: How much should I feed? Is grain-free safe? Can I trust this brand?
The internet was overflowing with answers, but most were either driven by ad revenue or oversimplified to the point of being dangerous. I started DougsDogHouse in 2024 to fix that — a single, trustworthy place where every recommendation is built on peer-reviewed research and reviewed by a practicing veterinarian.
"The best dog food is the one that fits your specific dog. My job is to give you the framework to find it — not to sell you anything."
What We Stand For
Science First
Every recommendation cites peer-reviewed research, AAFCO standards, or WSAVA guidance. No "ancient wisdom," no marketing buzzwords.
Independence
We are not owned by any pet food brand. Affiliate links exist on some pages, but they never influence our reviews — our editorial firewall is absolute.
Vet-Reviewed
Every guide, calculator, and review goes through Dr. Sterling before publication. Look for the green vet seal on every page.
Transparent
We show our methodology, sources, and conflicts of interest. If we change our minds, we update articles publicly with the date and reason.
Always Free
No paywalls, no premium tier, no subscription nag. The full library and every calculator are free for anyone who needs them.
Globally Useful
We use both metric and imperial units, cite international brands, and avoid US-only recommendations whenever possible.
Our Editorial Process
Research
Topics are chosen based on real reader questions. We pull peer-reviewed studies, AAFCO/FEDIAF guidelines, and primary veterinary textbooks.
Draft
A trained writer assembles the first draft, citing every claim with a footnote linking to a primary source.
Vet Review
Dr. Sterling reads every draft, checks every citation, and rewrites anything that does not match clinical reality.
Publish & Update
Once approved, we publish — and revisit annually. If a study is retracted or new research emerges, we update the article publicly.