How We Choose & Recommend Products

This page explains how Dakota Says decides what to recommend, how we use affiliate links, and what we are — and are not — qualified to tell you.

Who writes this site

Dakota Says is published by Jaggerware LLC. The articles are written in Dakota’s voice, but by a real person — a long-time dog owner, not a veterinary clinic or a brand — we research, update, and publish every page.

We are not veterinarians. Nothing here replaces advice from a licensed vet who knows your dog. Use our articles as background for conversations with your vet, especially for kidney diets, allergies, puppies, seniors, or any medical condition.

How we choose products

Real-world experience comes first. Many products on this site are ones we actually used with Dakota over her 17 years, or products we compared carefully when her needs changed — senior food, lower phosphorus, softer treats, gentler cleaners, and the like. Some were products used by friends with a pet that used the product. Additional research was done for those product to make sure they meet a high standard so we can be proud to refer them from our site.

When Dakota met friends of other breeds, we paid attention to what worked for their size, energy, and sensitivities. Breed pages follow that same idea: temperament and breed traits first, then products we find that do the best job of meeting that breeds needs.

Research fills the gaps. For ingredient-focused pages (low protein, high fiber, corn-free, and similar), we read labels, compare formulations, and cross-check reputable sources. We link to manufacturer information where it helps you verify claims. We don’t copy other review sites or claim testing we didn’t do.

Merit over commission. We participate in Amazon Associates and may add other pet affiliate programs. Commissions do not decide our picks. We recommend what we would consider for our own dog. If a product isn’t sold through an affiliate program, we may still mention it when it’s the right answer. We don’t accept payment from brands to feature products. When we haven’t used something personally, we say so or stick to facts from the manufacturer.

We try to keep pages current. Dog food lines change formulas. Links break. We revisit pages to replace discontinued items — especially on breed and ingredient guides. If you spot something outdated, contact us or comment on the article.

By content type

Breed pages — traits and temperament first; products that often fit that breed’s size, energy, and common needs.

Food and ingredient pages — label comparison and ingredient focus, plus what we learned when Dakota’s diet changed.

Toys, treats, and gear — what held up in daily use, whether Dakota actually enjoyed it, and whether it seemed safe and sensible.

Informational articles (like our CBD overview) — research-based; no product push.

Affiliate links

Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the site online. It does not change which products we recommend. See our Affiliate Disclosure for the full legal version.

Comments

Reader comments are welcome. They reflect whoever posted them, not necessarily us. We moderate spam but don’t vet every claim in comments.

A note on health and safety

Pet food and supplement decisions can affect your dog’s health. Talk to your veterinarian about medical diets or new symptoms. Introduce new foods gradually. Check labels yourself — formulations change. Our full Disclaimer has the legal language.

When in doubt… PLEASE CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN!!

Questions? Contact us.

— Jaggerware LLC