Our review process
Every health-related calculator on MyNubs goes through the same four-step process before going live:
- Formula selection. We start by identifying the formula or guideline most widely used by veterinary professionals — usually from AAHA, AAFP, AVMA, WSAVA, or a peer-reviewed source.
- Implementation. Our team implements the formula in plain JavaScript and writes the accompanying explanation in plain English, including what the numbers mean and what they don't.
- Editorial review. The MyNubs editorial team reviews the calculator's math, copy, edge cases, and warnings before it's published. The most recent review date is shown on every page.
- Veterinary review (in progress). We're actively recruiting a licensed veterinarian to add formal clinical review to our process. Once they're contracted, their name, credentials, and review date will appear on every health-related page. Until then, we make conservative editorial choices about which calculators we publish — staying away from anything requiring clinical judgment (medication dosing, treatment recommendations, diagnostic interpretation) until we have professional review in place.
Sources we use
We work from primary veterinary sources whenever possible. The references that show up most often across our tools:
- AAHA — American Animal Hospital Association: Canine and feline life stage guidelines, nutritional assessment guidelines, vaccination guidelines.
- AAFP — American Association of Feline Practitioners: Feline life stage guidelines, senior cat care, vaccination protocols.
- AVMA — American Veterinary Medical Association: Public guidance on pet aging, weight management, and preventive care.
- WSAVA — World Small Animal Veterinary Association: Global Nutrition Guidelines, vaccination guidelines.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: The standard reference for nutritional requirements, drug dosing, and clinical conditions in companion animals.
- Association for Pet Obesity Prevention: Body condition scoring guidance and ideal weight ranges.
- Peer-reviewed journals: Including JAVMA, Cell Systems, Veterinary Record, and others for specific formulas like size-adjusted dog aging.
What our calculators are — and aren't
MyNubs calculators are educational estimates based on published formulas applied to the information you provide. They help you understand what a healthy baseline looks like for your pet.
They are not a diagnosis, not a treatment plan, and not a replacement for veterinary care. Individual pets vary based on breed, genetics, medical history, and many other factors that no calculator can fully account for.
Whenever our tools are giving guidance on something with real safety implications — medication dosing, weight loss, dietary changes — we say so clearly and we recommend talking to your vet.
Editorial independence
MyNubs is independent. We may include affiliate links to products we genuinely recommend (food brands, supplements, insurance, etc.), but our calculations and editorial guidance are never influenced by advertisers. If a tool recommends something, it's because we believe it's the right call — not because someone paid for it.
Corrections & feedback
If you spot an error in a calculation, an outdated source, or something that just doesn't read right — please send us a message. We take corrections seriously and we'll fix things fast.
Important. The information on MyNubs is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's specific health needs.