Veterinary & Nutritional Disclaimer

1. Not Veterinary Advice

The information provided on Chowmark.com, including product scores, ingredient analyses, food safety assessments, and recall information, is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nothing on this site creates a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Chowmark.

Always consult a licensed veterinarian before making dietary changes for your pet, particularly if your pet has a medical condition, allergy, or specific nutritional need.

2. Scores Are Editorial Opinions

The Chowmark Score is an editorial assessment based on publicly available data and our published methodology. It is not a guarantee of product safety, nutritional adequacy, or suitability for any individual animal. A high score does not mean a product is safe for your specific pet. A low score does not mean a product will harm your pet. Individual animals have unique nutritional needs that no scoring system can fully capture.

3. Nutritional Standards

Our scoring methodology references AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutritional profiles as a benchmark. AAFCO standards are widely used in the United States but are not mandatory in Canada. In Canada, there is no government-mandated nutritional adequacy standard for pet food — a product may claim to be "complete and balanced" without meeting any government-verified standard. We note this context where relevant in our scoring breakdowns.

4. Recall Information

Recall data on Chowmark is sourced from the FDA, USDA FSIS, and CFIA. We refresh this data regularly but cannot guarantee real-time accuracy. Recall information may be delayed, incomplete, or subject to change. Always verify recall status directly with the relevant government agency or the product manufacturer. Do not rely solely on Chowmark for recall information affecting your pet's health.

5. "Can Dogs/Cats Eat" Tool

The "Can Dogs Eat" and "Can Cats Eat" tools provide general information about common foods and their safety for pets. This information is generated using AI and reviewed against published veterinary guidelines. It is intended as a general reference only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Individual animals may react differently to foods based on their health status, breed, age, and other factors. If your pet has eaten something and you are concerned, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.

6. Ingredient Information

Ingredient quality assessments on Chowmark are based on publicly available AAFCO definitions, FDA ingredient guidance, and published veterinary nutrition literature. These assessments reflect general consensus and may not account for the specific formulation, sourcing, or processing methods used by individual manufacturers. Ingredient quality can vary significantly within the same ingredient category.

7. Limitation of Liability

Chowmark is not liable for any harm to your pet arising from reliance on information provided on this site. Pet health decisions should always be made in consultation with a licensed veterinarian. See our Terms of Service for the full limitation of liability.

8. Emergency Resources