Editorial Policy

This page explains how Rat Terrier Advice researches, writes and corrects what it publishes, so you can judge how much weight to give it.

Our aim

To give Rat Terrier owners practical, accurate, breed-specific information, and to be clear about the limits of what a website can tell you about your own dog.

How articles are researched

  • We work from published, reputable sources: veterinary hospitals and publishers, veterinary and behavior organizations, pet food regulators, the American Kennel Club, and the Rat Terrier Club of America.
  • Sources are listed at the end of each article. Where sources disagree, for example on lifespan, we say so.
  • We do not present estimates as facts, and we avoid precise numbers where the evidence does not support them.
  • Articles are drafted with the help of AI writing tools, working from the sources listed. We do not claim personal experience, hands-on testing or professional review that did not happen.

Health information

  • Health articles are general education, not veterinary advice. They are written to help you have a better conversation with your vet, not to replace one.
  • We do not diagnose, and we do not recommend products as treatments or cures.
  • We point out the signs that call for prompt or urgent veterinary attention.
  • No article has been reviewed by a veterinarian unless it says so and names the reviewer.

Training and behavior

Our training content follows reward-based methods, in line with the position statements of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. We do not recommend shock, prong or choke collars, or other methods that rely on pain or fear. For aggression, serious fear or separation problems, we direct readers to qualified professionals.

Gear guides and affiliate links

  • Our gear guides compare types of product and explain sizing, fit and limitations. We do not claim to have tested individual products.
  • We do not publish prices, star ratings, review counts or stock levels. Those change constantly and belong to the retailer.
  • Links to Amazon are affiliate links and are disclosed where they appear. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
  • Affiliate income does not determine which types of product we describe or what limitations we mention. See how we write gear guides and the affiliate disclosure.

Images

We use photographs that are in the public domain or released under licences that allow reuse, and we credit them. Sources and licences are listed on our image credits page.

Updates and corrections

  • Each article shows the date it was published and, where it has changed, the date it was last updated.
  • If you find an error, please tell us. We check reported errors against sources and correct what is wrong.
  • When a correction changes the meaning of an article, we note it on the page.