About Us Pet Food Picks

How It All Started

It started with a sick dog and a frustrating Google search.

In 2023, our founder Sarah noticed her 4-year-old Labrador, Biscuit, was constantly lethargic, shedding excessively, and having digestive issues. Her vet suggested it might be the food.

But when she went online to research better options, she found a mess: sponsored "top 10" lists that ranked whoever paid the most, vague ingredient claims, and zero transparency.

            "I was feeding Biscuit a brand that spent millions on TV ads but used meat by-products, artificial colors, and corn syrup. The bag said 'premium nutrition.' The ingredients told a different story."

            — Sarah Mitchell, Founder

She spent weeks reading FDA databases, AAFCO guidelines, and veterinary nutrition studies. And she realized something troubling: most pet parents have no idea what they are actually feeding their pets.

That was the moment Pet Food Picks was born. Sarah teamed up with a veterinary nutritionist and a data analyst to build something that did not exist yet: a truly independent pet food review platform that puts ingredients and science above ad budgets.

We publish new food safety guides every week, and we are just getting started.

What We Stand For

The principles that guide every guide, review, and recommendation we publish.

Vet-Reviewed Content

Every article goes through our veterinary nutrition team before it gets published. We cross-check claims against peer-reviewed research and current guidelines.

Independent Research

Our recommendations come from science, not sponsorships. We call it like we see it, and we are upfront about how we keep the lights on.

Pet Parents First

Every article answers a real question from a real pet owner. We write for people who love their animals, not for search engines.

Meet the Team

Real people, real pet owners, real expertise. No stock photo personas here.

Sarah Mitchell

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

Former journalist, current dog mom to Biscuit (Lab) and Pepper (Beagle mix). Obsessed with ingredient labels and AAFCO standards.

Dr. Marcus Webb, DVM

Veterinary Nutrition Advisor

Veterinary nutritionist with 12 years in clinical practice. Specializes in breed-specific dietary needs and food allergy management.

James Kim

Research & Data Lead

Data analyst who builds our product comparison databases. Cat dad to three rescued tabbies. Thinks in spreadsheets.

How We Review Pet Food

Ingredient Analysis

We read the full ingredient list and guaranteed analysis. We identify protein sources, filler ingredients, artificial additives, and potential allergens. Every ingredient gets categorized and scored.

Nutritional Evaluation

We compare protein, fat, fiber, and moisture levels against AAFCO standards for the target life stage. We calculate the dry matter basis so you can compare wet and dry food fairly.

Brand Safety Check

We research the manufacturer's recall history, sourcing practices, quality control standards, and any FDA warning letters. A great recipe from an unsafe manufacturer is still a risk.

Value Assessment

We calculate the real cost per serving based on feeding guidelines, not just bag price. We factor in nutritional density so you know exactly what you are paying for every meal.

Final Rating & Publication

Every review is fact-checked by our veterinary advisor before publication. We assign a clear rating and explain exactly why, with no vague language or hidden agendas.

Our Affiliate Disclosure

Transparency matters. Some links on Pet Food Picks are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. This is how we keep the site running and our guides free.

What this does NOT affect: Our recommendations are never influenced by affiliate partnerships. We call it like we see it.

Read our full Affiliate Disclaimer for details.

We Are Pet Food Picks