Source standards

Citation Policy

Pawsd guides are evidence-informed, not evidence-decorated. Sources should explain what we can say, what we cannot say, and when a dog owner should call a veterinarian.

Source hierarchy

We prefer direct veterinary or companion-animal evidence when it exists. The strongest sources are randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, clinical studies, large observational studies, veterinary consensus statements, regulatory labels, and official veterinary organization guidance. Mechanistic or adjacent evidence can be useful, but it must be framed as indirect.

Databases and source types

Pawsd commonly checks PubMed, PubMed Central, Europe PMC, Crossref, journal pages, veterinary manuals, and official policy statements. We prefer sources with stable URLs, DOI links, PMID identifiers, or PMCID identifiers.

How claims are cited

  • Clinical and medication claims need direct veterinary or regulatory support.
  • Supplement claims must distinguish dog-specific evidence from human, rodent, or ingredient-theory evidence.
  • Behavior-modification claims should connect to veterinary behavior literature, animal learning principles, or professional consensus.
  • Breed-specific claims should avoid stereotypes unless the claim is framed as a tendency and supported by breed history, welfare literature, or clearly labeled owner-facing context.
  • Red flags, emergency symptoms, and medical differentials should err on the side of veterinary evaluation.

What we do not use as proof

Product marketing pages, affiliate listings, testimonials, anonymous forum anecdotes, and AI-generated summaries are not treated as evidence for efficacy or safety. They may help us understand owner questions, but they do not support medical or product-performance claims.

Evidence limits

Dog anxiety research is uneven. Some topics have direct clinical evidence; others rely on smaller trials, adjacent physiology, or professional consensus. When evidence is limited, the guide should name that limitation instead of implying certainty.

A citation does not mean a product, supplement, or protocol is appropriate for every dog. Age, medication, disease history, pregnancy, behavior severity, bite risk, and sudden behavior change can all require veterinary guidance.

Related policies

Read the Editorial Policy for how guides are written and updated, or the Knowledge Base for the full guide library.