Medical disclaimer
The information on DougsDogHouse — including articles, calculator outputs, feeding recommendations, and supplement guidance — is provided for general educational purposes only. While every page is reviewed by Dr. Maya Sterling, DVM, the content is not a substitute for professional veterinary diagnosis, treatment, or advice.
Your dog is unique. Genetics, undiagnosed conditions, environment, and individual metabolism all affect what is right for them. Always consult a licensed veterinarian before:
- Making major changes to your dog's diet
- Starting or stopping a supplement regimen
- Treating any symptom of illness
- Acting on calculator outputs for medical conditions (heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, etc.)
If your dog shows signs of distress — vomiting, lethargy, difficulty breathing, refusal to eat for over 24 hours, suspected toxin ingestion — call your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately. Do not wait.
Calculator accuracy
Our calculators implement evidence-based veterinary formulas (RER × MER for calories, the 2020 epigenetic clock for age, the 9-point WSAVA scale for body condition, BARF macros for raw diets, and NRC-aligned dosing for fish oil). Even so, individual variation can mean ±10–20% deviation from the "true" answer. Use them as starting points, not as prescriptions.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links on DougsDogHouse are affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We use these commissions to keep the site free, pay our writers, and fund veterinary review.
Affiliate relationships never influence our editorial coverage. Our reviews are based on ingredients, manufacturing transparency, recall history, and feeding trials — not on commission rates. We sometimes give negative reviews to brands we have affiliate accounts with, and we sometimes recommend products that pay us nothing.
Editorial independence
DougsDogHouse is not owned by, sponsored by, or controlled by any pet food manufacturer, supplement company, or veterinary practice. We accept no payment in exchange for favorable coverage, ever. If we ever take an advertorial or sponsored post, it will be clearly labeled "Sponsored" at the top.
External links
We sometimes link to third-party studies, brands, and resources. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of those external sites.
Updates and corrections
Veterinary nutrition is an evolving field. We update articles when new evidence emerges. If you spot an error or have a correction, email editor@dougsdoghouse.com — we publish corrections transparently.
Contact
Questions about this disclaimer? Email legal@dougsdoghouse.com.