Last Updated on October 1, 2026 by admin
Quick answer: Yes, PetMD is a reliable source for general dog and cat health information. Its content is written or reviewed by licensed veterinarians and named on each article. The catch: PetMD is owned by Chewy, the online pet retailer, so treat its product recommendations with more caution than its medical explanations. It’s a good starting point, not a substitute for your vet.
| Use PetMD for | Be careful using it for |
|---|---|
| Understanding symptoms before a vet visit | Deciding whether your pet needs a vet at all |
| Learning about a diagnosis your vet gave you | Choosing a specific food, flea product or supplement |
| Reading up on a prescribed medication | Dosing anything at home |
| Breed health and care basics | Emergencies or suspected poisoning |
What Is PetMD?
PetMD launched in 2008 as a pet health information website. It’s now owned by Chewy, Inc., one of the largest online pet retailers in the United States. The site covers health, nutrition, behavior, breeds and medications for dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles and small pets, and PetMD says it maintains more than 6,000 pieces of content.
Is PetMD Good for Dogs?
For dog owners, PetMD is one of the more useful free references. Its dog section covers:
- Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, limping, coughing, itching and other common problems, with a rundown of possible causes and when to see a vet.
- Conditions: plain-language overviews of things like arthritis, allergies, ear infections, diabetes and heartworm.
- Medications: what a drug is for, how it works and what side effects to watch for, which is handy when your vet prescribes something unfamiliar.
- Breeds: breed profiles with common health predispositions, typical lifespan and care needs.
- Puppy and new-owner basics: vaccines, feeding, house training and preventive care.
Where it falls short for dogs is the same as for cats: it explains possibilities, it can’t examine your dog, and product suggestions often link to Chewy. For example, if you’re weighing flea and tick options, read PetMD’s medication overview, then check the drug’s label and ask your vet, as we do in our guide to Bravecto side effects in dogs.
Who Writes PetMD’s Content?
According to PetMD’s published editorial guidelines, all new content is written or reviewed by a veterinarian (DVM or VMD) or a credentialed subject expert such as a nutritionist, behaviorist or pharmacist. A few things stand out:
- Authors and medical reviewers are named on articles, with bios and credentials.
- Articles go through editing, fact-checking and medical review before publishing, and review dates are shown.
- Products with a “Vet Verified” badge are evaluated by veterinarian reviewers and approved by PetMD’s Vet Advisory Panel.
That’s more transparent than most consumer pet sites. It’s still not the same as formal academic peer review.
The Chewy Connection: What It Means for You
PetMD’s guidelines openly say the site is owned by Chewy and links to Chewy products from its articles, while stating that its editorial team keeps an independent voice. That doesn’t make the medical information wrong. It does mean product recommendations sit next to a store that profits from them.
A simple rule: for symptoms, conditions and how a medication works, the Chewy link barely matters. For buying decisions (which food, which flea treatment, which supplement), cross-check with your vet or a source that doesn’t sell products.
PetMD’s Real Limitations
- Limited depth: articles favor readability over clinical detail. For deeper information, the Merck Veterinary Manual goes much further.
- Not peer-reviewed: the internal vet review is solid, but it isn’t journal-level peer review.
- Commercial noise: ads and shopping links sit alongside medical content.
- Uneven freshness: some older articles haven’t been updated in a while, so check the review date.
- No diagnosis: PetMD itself says it can’t replace an exam. Using it to skip a vet visit is risky.
PetMD vs. Other Pet Health Sites
| Source | Written by | Depth | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PetMD | Vets and credentialed experts | Moderate | Symptom look-up, condition overviews, medications | Owned by Chewy; shopping links mixed in |
| Merck Veterinary Manual | Veterinary specialists | Very high | Deep clinical detail | Technical; harder for non-vets to read |
| VCA Animal Hospitals | Veterinarians | High | Readable condition and medication handouts | Run by a veterinary hospital chain |
| ASPCA | Vets and animal experts | Moderate | Toxic plants, foods and poison control | Narrow topic range |
| Veterinary Partner (VIN) | Veterinarians | High | Detailed owner-facing articles | Less polished, harder to find via search |
For most owners, PetMD and VCA are the sweet spot: accurate and readable. Go to Merck for depth and the ASPCA for anything poison-related.
Should You Use PetMD in an Emergency?
No. If your pet ate something toxic, is having a seizure, can’t breathe normally, or has collapsed, call your vet or an emergency animal hospital right away. For suspected poisoning you can also call:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Both are staffed 24/7 and may charge a consultation fee. PetMD is useful afterward, to understand what happened, but not as a first stop.
Verdict: Is PetMD Reliable?
Yes, with the right expectations. The vets are real, the editorial process is transparent, and the information is above average for a free consumer site. Use it to understand your dog or cat’s symptoms and your vet’s advice, factor in the Chewy ownership for product picks, and never use it in place of an exam. If you want to see how vet opinion can differ from marketing on a popular product, our look at what vets think of Greenies is a good example.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns PetMD?
PetMD is owned by Chewy, Inc. It launched in 2008 and became part of Chewy later.
Is PetMD written by real vets?
Yes. PetMD says all new content is written or reviewed by a licensed veterinarian or a credentialed expert, and reviewers are named on articles.
Is PetMD a reliable source for school or research?
It’s fine for general background, but it isn’t peer-reviewed. For academic work, cite the Merck Veterinary Manual or published veterinary studies instead.
Is PetMD better than a random Google search?
Yes. It’s far more reliable than forums or unsourced blogs. For clinical depth, Merck and VCA are more rigorous.
Can I use PetMD instead of going to the vet?
No. It’s for education, not diagnosis. Only a vet who examines your pet can tell you what’s wrong and what dose of any medication is safe. The same goes for routine meds like dewormers; see our guide to Panacur (fenbendazole) for dogs.