We built DogFoodCheckup because every dog deserves an owner who knows exactly what's safe — and what's not.
It was a regular Thursday evening. I'd just come home from work and was putting groceries away while Buddy — my Golden Retriever — snoozed under the kitchen table. Or so I thought.
I turned around and found him nose-deep in a pan of chocolate brownies that I'd left cooling on the counter. He'd knocked them down and eaten at least half the batch. My heart stopped.
The next two hours were a blur of frantic Googling, conflicting information, and a terrifying emergency vet visit. Buddy was okay — thanks to quick action and activated charcoal — but the experience shook me. The information online was scattered, contradictory, and often unreliable.
That question became DogFoodCheckup. I spent the next six months researching veterinary nutrition, consulting with licensed veterinarians, and building a database of 150+ human foods with clear, vet-verified safety ratings for dogs.
Today, DogFoodCheckup helps thousands of dog owners make safer food choices every day. And Buddy? He's still trying to steal food off the counter — but now I know exactly what to keep out of reach.
The journey wasn't easy. In the beginning, it was just me, a laptop, and a pile of veterinary textbooks. I spent countless nights cross-referencing toxicity reports and learning about canine metabolic pathways. It was overwhelming, but every time I looked at Buddy, I knew I had to keep going.
As the site grew, so did our team. We brought on licensed veterinarians to review every piece of content, ensuring that our safety ratings weren't just based on my research, but on clinical experience. We started hearing from dog owners across the country—people who had avoided emergency vet visits because they checked our site first. Those stories are what keep us motivated every single day.
Today, DogFoodCheckup is more than just a website; it's a community of dog lovers dedicated to keeping their pets safe. We're constantly updating our database, researching new foods, and expanding our resources to provide the most comprehensive and accurate information available.
Every food gets a direct safety verdict in the first paragraph. No fluff, no ambiguity — just a clear answer: safe, caution, or toxic.
Every entry is researched against peer-reviewed veterinary literature and reviewed by licensed veterinarians before publication.
Food safety information should never be behind a paywall. DogFoodCheckup is — and always will be — 100% free to use.
Every food is researched using peer-reviewed veterinary journals, ASPCA data, and established toxicology databases.
Safety information is written in plain English with clear serving sizes, preparation tips, and risk factors for all dog sizes.
A licensed veterinarian reviews every entry for accuracy, completeness, and clinical relevance before publication.
Entries are regularly reviewed and updated as new research emerges or veterinary guidelines change.
The original reason DogFoodCheckup exists. Buddy is a food-obsessed golden who will eat anything that isn't nailed down — and a few things that are. His chocolate brownie incident inspired this entire project. Hobbies include counter-surfing, begging with soulful eyes, and destroying squeaky toys.
Luna is our resident health-conscious pup. She's pickier than Buddy — she'll actually sniff food before eating it. Luna's sensitive stomach taught us the importance of portion control and food introduction. Hobbies include herding the household cat, fetch, and looking majestic on hikes.
Alex is a pet safety researcher and content creator based in Denver, Colorado. After Buddy's chocolate scare in early 2025, Alex became obsessed with canine nutrition and food safety — reading everything from ASPCA toxicology reports to veterinary nutrition textbooks.
DogFoodCheckup combines Alex's research background with a mission to make reliable dog food safety information accessible to every dog owner. Every entry in the database is cross-referenced with peer-reviewed veterinary sources and reviewed by licensed veterinarians.
When not researching whether dogs can eat mangoes (they can, by the way), Alex can be found hiking the Colorado Rockies with Buddy and Luna, or experimenting with homemade dog treat recipes in the kitchen.
When it comes to your dog's health, trust is everything. That's why we've built a rigorous editorial process to ensure every piece of information on DogFoodCheckup is accurate, reliable, and up-to-date. Our team consists of dedicated pet safety researchers, experienced content creators, and most importantly, licensed veterinarians who review our content for clinical accuracy.
We understand that the internet is full of conflicting advice. That's why we don't rely on hearsay or unverified claims. Every safety rating in our database is backed by scientific research, veterinary toxicology reports, and established guidelines from organizations like the ASPCA and the AKC. We cite our sources clearly so you can verify the information yourself.
Our commitment to transparency means that we are constantly reviewing and updating our content. Veterinary science is always evolving, and we strive to stay at the forefront of the latest research. If a new study reveals that a previously deemed 'safe' food poses a potential risk, we update our database immediately and notify our subscribers.
At DogFoodCheckup, we believe that education is the best prevention. By providing you with the knowledge and tools you need to make informed decisions, we aim to empower you to be the best advocate for your dog's health. Whether you're wondering about a specific fruit, a type of meat, or an ingredient in your pantry, you can trust us to give you a straight, science-backed answer.
We are proud to be a trusted resource for dog owners worldwide. Our mission will always be to provide clear, accurate, and free information to help you keep your furry best friend safe, healthy, and happy for years to come.
If you have any questions about our process, or if you're a veterinary professional interested in joining our review board, we'd love to hear from you. We believe that by working together, we can make the world a safer place for dogs everywhere.