Welcome to Barking Goods: Your Trusted Guide to Pet Products
Barking Goods is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Barking Goods is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Why We Started Barking Goods
If you have ever stood in the pet aisle feeling completely overwhelmed by hundreds of products all claiming to be βthe best,β you are not alone. That frustration is exactly why we created Barking Goods.
The pet industry generates over 150 billion dollars in annual spending in the United States alone, and the sheer volume of products hitting the market every year can make even experienced dog owners feel lost. Premium kibble or raw diet? Nylon harness or leather? Orthopedic bed or bolster bed? The choices are endless, the marketing is aggressive, and the stakes feel high because it is your dogβs health and happiness on the line.
Our team of pet professionals, certified trainers, and veterinary reviewers set out to build the most trustworthy pet product resource on the internet. We believe every dog deserves quality products, and every pet parent deserves honest guidance to find them.
Our Mission
Barking Goods exists for one reason: to help you make confident, informed decisions about the products you buy for your dog. We are not a storefront and we do not manufacture products. We are an independent editorial team that tests, researches, and reviews pet products so you do not have to navigate the noise alone.
Our guiding principles are simple:
- Honesty over commissions. If a product does not meet our standards, we will tell you, even if it means losing revenue.
- Science over trends. We base our recommendations on veterinary science, AAFCO nutritional standards, and peer-reviewed research, not social media hype.
- Transparency over everything. We disclose every affiliate relationship and explain exactly how we make money.
We believe that trust is earned over time through consistent, reliable content. Every article, review, and guide on Barking Goods is written to serve you and your dog first.
What Makes Us Different
Real Testing, Real Results
We do not rely on manufacturer claims or rewrite press releases. Our reviewers spend weeks testing products with real dogs in real homes. When we say a toy is durable, it has survived the jaws of determined chewers. When we recommend a dog food, it has passed our nutrition checklist based on AAFCO standards. When we review a harness, it has logged real miles on real walks with dogs of different sizes and temperaments.
Our testing process involves multiple households, multiple breeds, and multiple weeks of daily use. We track durability, ease of use, safety, and value over time rather than writing a review after one afternoon with a product. This is what separates genuine product journalism from the affiliate review sites that simply repackage Amazon listings.
Veterinary Oversight
Health-related content on Barking Goods is reviewed by licensed veterinarians. From nutrition guides to grooming advice, you can trust that our recommendations are safe and evidence-based. We cite authoritative sources like the American Kennel Club (AKC), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
This commitment to veterinary oversight means that when we discuss topics like puppy nutrition, joint supplements, or dental health, the information has been vetted by professionals who diagnose and treat dogs every day. We do not guess about health topics. We consult the experts.
Transparent Affiliate Relationships
We earn commissions through affiliate links, and we are upfront about that. Our primary affiliate partner is Amazon Associates, and we also work with Chewy, Petco, and PetSmart. These partnerships never influence our editorial opinions. If a product does not meet our standards, we will tell you, even if it means losing a commission. You will always find our affiliate disclosure clearly displayed on every review and buying guide.
Here is how it works in practice: when you click a product link on our site and make a purchase, we earn a small percentage of the sale. The price you pay is exactly the same whether you use our link or navigate to the retailer directly. This revenue supports our team of writers, editors, and veterinary reviewers, and it allows us to continue producing free content for pet parents.
What You Will Find on Barking Goods
We organize our content around five core pillars, each designed to address a specific need that dog owners face throughout their journey.
Product Reviews
In-depth, hands-on reviews of dog food, toys, beds, crates, grooming tools, health supplements, training gear, travel accessories, and tech products. Every review includes ratings, pros and cons, specifications, and links to purchase from trusted retailers. Check out our KONG Classic review or our Blue Buffalo Life Protection review to see our review format in action. You can also compare top chew toys in our KONG vs Nylabone comparison.
We rate products across multiple categories including durability, value, safety, and ease of use. Every rating is explained so you understand exactly why a product scored the way it did. We also update reviews when manufacturers release new versions or when our long-term testing reveals something our initial assessment missed.
Buying Guides and Roundups
Curated lists of the best products in every category, updated regularly. Our roundups save you hours of research by comparing top options side by side. Whether you are looking for the best toys for aggressive chewers or the best gifts for dog lovers, our buying guides make the decision easier.
Each roundup includes detailed comparison tables, budget picks, premium picks, and our overall top recommendation. We revisit and update these guides throughout the year as prices change and new products enter the market.
Dog Care Guides
Expert-written guides covering nutrition, grooming, training, health, and behavior. Whether you are a first-time puppy parent or a seasoned dog owner, our care guides provide actionable advice backed by veterinary science. Topics range from choosing the right dog food to understanding your dogβs body language to managing common health conditions.
Our care content follows a strict editorial process: research, draft, expert review, fact-check, and publish. Health-related articles include source citations so you can verify the information yourself.
Breed Profiles
Comprehensive breed profiles with size, temperament, grooming needs, health concerns, and product recommendations tailored to each breed. Whether you are researching a Golden Retriever or a French Bulldog, our profiles give you everything you need to know about living with that breed, including the products that work best for their unique characteristics.
We cover exercise needs, trainability, common genetic health issues, and recommended diet considerations for each breed. These profiles are designed to help prospective owners choose the right breed and current owners provide the best possible care.
Lifestyle and Activities
Guides for living your best life with your dog, from hiking adventures to travel tips to seasonal activities. These articles combine practical advice with product recommendations for active, adventurous dog owners.
Our Editorial Process
Every piece of content on Barking Goods follows a structured editorial process:
- Topic research. We identify topics based on reader questions, search trends, and gaps in existing pet content online.
- Outline and sourcing. Writers create detailed outlines and identify authoritative sources including veterinary journals, AKC guidelines, AVMA resources, and AAFCO standards.
- Draft and review. Articles are drafted by experienced pet writers with hands-on dog ownership experience. Health and nutrition content undergoes veterinary review.
- Fact-checking. Every claim, statistic, and recommendation is verified against primary sources before publication.
- Publication and updates. Articles are published with full source citations and updated regularly as new information becomes available.
We take this process seriously because your dogβs well-being depends on accurate information. A poorly researched dog food recommendation can lead to nutritional deficiencies. An inaccurate health article can delay proper veterinary care. We hold ourselves to a high standard because the consequences of getting it wrong are real.
Meet the Team
Barking Goods is produced by a small, dedicated team of pet professionals who are also, without exception, dog owners themselves. Our writers bring backgrounds in veterinary technology, animal behavior, professional dog training, and pet nutrition. Our veterinary reviewers hold active licenses and see patients regularly, which means their expertise is current and practical.
We do not hire generic freelance writers to produce content by keyword. Every writer on our team has direct, hands-on experience with dogs and a genuine passion for helping pet parents. When our team members recommend a product, it is almost always something they have used with their own dogs.
Our Promise to You
We promise to always put your dogβs well-being first. We promise to be honest in our reviews, transparent about our business model, and rigorous in our research. If we ever get something wrong, we will correct it promptly and publicly.
We promise to never recommend a product solely because it pays a high commission. We promise to never publish health information that has not been reviewed by a qualified professional. And we promise to always disclose our financial relationships with the companies whose products we review.
Join the Barking Goods Community
We are building Barking Goods for you, and we want to hear from you. If there is a product you want us to review, a topic you want us to cover, or feedback about our content, reach out. Your questions and suggestions directly shape our editorial calendar.
Sign up for our newsletter to receive weekly product picks, care tips, and exclusive guides delivered straight to your inbox. Follow us on social media for daily dog content and behind-the-scenes looks at our product testing process.
Thank you for trusting Barking Goods. We are glad you are here, and we look forward to helping you and your furry family member find the perfect products.
Welcome to the pack.
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Written by
Dr. Sarah ChenVeterinary Editor, DVM
Dr. Sarah Chen is a licensed veterinarian with over 10 years of clinical experience in small animal medicine. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell University, she spent seven years in private practice before transitioning to veterinary journalism and pet product education. As Barking Goods' Veterinary Editor, Dr. Chen reviews all health and nutrition content for accuracy and ensures our recommendations align with current veterinary science. She's a Certified Veterinary Journalist and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). When she's not reviewing content, she volunteers at her local animal shelter and spoils her two rescue dogs, Mochi and Biscuit.