How We Research & Score Products
A transparent look at the G5 composite scoring system — what we measure, how we weight each criterion, and how editorial independence is handled.
Every product reviewed on PetScienceReview is evaluated using the same G5 composite scoring framework. Scores are not editorial opinions — they are weighted calculations derived from five defined criteria. This page documents the framework so you can verify our work, understand where a product scored well or poorly, and calibrate how much weight to give our recommendations.
The G5 Composite Scoring System
Each product receives a composite score on a 0–10 scale. The score is calculated by multiplying each criterion score (0–10) by its assigned weight, then summing the weighted values.
| # | Criterion | Weight | What We Evaluate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Safety & Ingredients | 30% | No active recalls (CPSC, FDA, ASPCA). Ingredient quality, AAFCO compliance for food/supplements. Non-toxic materials for gear. |
| 2 | Durability & Build Quality | 25% | Material quality, construction standards, long-term wear patterns. IP rating and hardware reliability for electronics. Assessed via verified owner reports. |
| 3 | Pet Comfort & Acceptance | 20% | Palatability for food and supplements. Fit, comfort, and stress signals for wearables and gear. Synthesized from verified owner community reports. |
| 4 | Value for Money | 15% | Cost relative to quality and competitive alternatives. Premium pricing must be justified by premium materials, certifications, or proven performance. |
| 5 | Ease of Use | 10% | Setup complexity, daily maintenance, app reliability for tech products, and subscription or refill considerations. |
| Composite Score | 100% | Sum of (criterion score × weight) across all five criteria. Reported as a single decimal figure on a 0–10 scale. | |
Score Formula
Composite = (Safety × 0.30) + (Durability × 0.25) + (Pet Comfort × 0.20) + (Value × 0.15) + (Ease of Use × 0.10)
Disclosure Policy & Editorial Independence
For current disclosure policy and editorial-independence details, see our disclosure page.
Article Updates
We update our reviews and recalculate G5 scores when:
- A new safety recall or ASPCA advisory affects a reviewed product
- A product's formulation, certification, or materials change
- A new competitor earns a higher composite score
- A reader submits a correction that is verified against primary sources
Updated articles display a "Last Updated" date. Corrections can be requested at [email protected].