Our Pet Kitchen puts every single meal through a rigorous approval process. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how nutrition goes from a simple idea to a published guide for pet owners worldwide. At Tipstor®, almost all of our pet-friendly recipes and nutritional tips come from dedicated pet parents and professional animal caregivers. We receive thousands of submissions every year.
But before we share a recipe on our website or in our cookbooks, our expert Pet Nutrition Team must approve it. We put every meal through a rigorous selection, testing, and evaluation process to ensure we’re sharing safe, healthy, and delicious options that work for your dogs and cats every time. Here’s how our process works.
PET PARENTS SHARE THEIR SECRETS
We believe the best pet meals come from real owners like you. Your favorite homemade treats or toppers have already passed the ultimate test: your pets love them, and they support a healthy, shiny coat and high energy levels. Every year, our community of “Pet Cooks” share thousands of ideas with us. Marc Ford leads the teams responsible for selection, nutritional prepping, and safety testing for all our digital and print media.
NUTRITION EDITORS SCOUT THE BEST
Our team of knowledgeable editors reviews each submission. They look for fresh ideas, such as grain-free alternatives or “superfood” toppers, that sound irresistible to a dog or cat. They also consider practical factors, like whether the ingredients are pet-safe and readily available. Marc Ford reviews dozens of submissions daily, ensuring only the most balanced and safe meals move forward to our Pet Kitchen.
PREP TEAMS ASSEMBLE WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS
Our Prep Kitchen team gets everything ready for our testers. Using the mise en place technique, they chop and measure fresh proteins and vegetables. Our grocery lists are massive; in a given year, we go through huge quantities of pumpkin, lean proteins, carrots, and pet-safe supplements. Every ingredient is checked to ensure it is 100% non-toxic for animals.
EXPERT COOKS TEST EACH MEAL
Next, test cooks meticulously prepare each batch. They ensure the cooking temperatures are safe to preserve nutrients and that the texture is appropriate for different life stages—from playful kittens to senior dogs. We have specialized kitchens on-site to test not just food, but also pet gear like slow-feeders and storage containers.
TASTE TESTERS WEIGH-IN
This is the best part of the day! While we follow strict scientific guidelines, we also observe how our “office pets” react to certain aromas and textures (under professional supervision). Our human testers evaluate the meals based on ease of preparation, storage capability, and how easily a recipe can be scaled up for a multi-pet household or down for a single small cat. They also consider how a meal might be adapted for common pet health needs, like sensitive stomachs or weight management.
EDITED FOR PRECISION & SAFETY
Once a meal has won approval, our editors revise the directions to make them crystal clear. We know that when you have a hungry dog barking at your heels, you don’t have time for a confusing recipe. We prioritize clear instructions to ensure every meal you make is a success.
PHOTO & VIDEO CAPTURE RESULTS
After the nutrition is finalized, our creative teams take over. Our goal is to make healthy pet food look as vibrant and appetizing as it truly is. Our food stylists and photographers work together to capture the perfect shot of a “Million Meals” bowl, showing pet owners exactly what a healthy, homemade addition to their pet’s diet looks like.
APPROVED & PUBLISHED FOR THE COMMUNITY
Once a recipe has cleared every safety and taste hurdle, it’s ready to be shared across our platforms, including our website and cookbooks. Every time you follow one of our guides, you are participating in the Million Meals Challenge, helping us raise awareness and funds to fill the bowls of shelter animals around the globe.