iP

iPickPet

Decision-first pet nutrition

Our Methodology

Evidence-aware. Source-backed. Transparent.
Decision support for better pet choices.

Our methodology explains how iPickPet presents source-backed facts, iPickPet Score, Match Score, Data Confidence, ingredient interpretation, and review-first scanner output. Public scoring is shown only when enough verified data exists and supports shared-context comparison without changing product order.

iPickPet Score, Match Score, and Data Confidence stay separate. Listings do not sort by score, Ask scoring stays off, and Compare does not force a single pick.

No evidence_level is populated, no medical claims are made, and no reviewRating, ratingValue, or score-derived rating schema is published.

Evidence-First

We prioritize verified sources and transparent criteria.

Explainable

You can inspect the factors behind active decision-support outputs.

Pet-First

Every decision supports pet wellbeing over marketing.

Runtime Status

Runtime Status (June 28, 2026)

Active now

  • - iPickPet Score v1.2 on eligible detail pages
  • - Shared-context compare scoring with iPickPet Score + Match Score
  • - Data Confidence
  • - Why this score / tradeoffs / data-gap explanations
  • - Label completeness / missing-value behavior
  • - Ingredient Classification boundaries
  • - Scanner Ingredient Review (review-first)
  • - Evidence-aware readiness planning for explanation review

In development

  • - Shared-context scoring on additional browse and shortlist surfaces

Not active yet

  • - Ask scoring
  • - Score sorting
  • - Single-product pick logic on compare
  • - ratingValue or reviewRating schema

Public score layers

iPickPet Score

A source-backed 0–100 score for label quality, transparency, and formulation signals.

Match Score

A separate context-fit score. The same product can match one need better than another.

Data Confidence

A smaller trust signal showing how complete and source-backed the recorded data is.

Our Guiding Principles

Independent

Not owned by pet food brands or retailers.

Transparent

Data sources and methodology boundaries are visible.

No Hidden Agendas

No promotional products in ranking logic.

Continuous

Methodology records and public wording update as runtime capabilities evolve.

Expert-Informed

Guided by veterinary nutrition expertise.

Balanced

Tradeoffs include benefits, risks, and context.

What is active in methodology today

iPickPet Score v1.2

Eligible product and supplement detail pages may show iPickPet Score, a short 'Why this score' explanation, tradeoffs, and Methodology v1.2 when enough verified data exists.

Shared-context compare scoring

Compared products can show side-by-side iPickPet Scores plus Match Scores against the same explicit context without changing their order or forcing a single pick.

Data Confidence

Source completeness framing only. Data Confidence reflects source completeness, not product quality.

Score explanations

Why-this-score, tradeoff, and data-gap blocks are generated from the same recorded signals rather than copy-only interpretation.

Evidence-Aware Readiness

Reviewed evidence and regulatory context can support explanation review, but evidence_level is not populated and evidence claims do not determine product superiority.

Label Completeness

Missing-value behavior helps interpretation of coverage gaps. Completeness does not equal correctness or quality.

Ingredient Classification

Educational interpretation boundaries are context-aware. Unresolved ingredients remain reviewable instead of forced into certainty.

Scanner Ingredient Review

Review-first workflow: OCR/manual text is reviewable and not verified truth. Helpful/Caution/Unknown are educational categories, not medical verdicts.

What feeds iPickPet Score today

Food products currently use deterministic label and formulation inputs such as named protein specificity, ingredient transparency, generic ingredient penalties, life-stage and adequacy statement presence, guaranteed-analysis completeness, calories, source URL, verified date, and positive or negative label signals. Supplement entries use their own source-backed label-transparency lane built around species, category, dosage, ingredient detail, provenance, and caution notes.

Match Score stays context-specific. Data Confidence stays a smaller trust badge. No score sorting, winner logic, Ask scoring, reviewRating, ratingValue, or AggregateRating schema is published.

We document sources, confidence boundaries, and methodology status so you can inspect what is active now, what is internal only, and what is still pending.

See Our Data & Sources

Data sources and references

iPickPet combines official brand pages, recognized nutrient-profile frameworks, reviewed evidence fixtures, and transparent methodology records. AAFCO adequacy and life-stage claims support label context, not approval, endorsement, superiority, or individual suitability.

Evidence claims support explanation review and do not by themselves rank, rate, diagnose, prove product quality, or populate rating or evidence_level fields.