Uncovering the Science, Systems, and Stories Behind Pet Food
If you’re overwhelmed by conflicting pet food advice, this is the place to begin. This section curates foundational articles that explain how pet food systems work, why nutrition advice is so contradictory, and what questions actually matter. TruthChelsea offers evidence-based education on pet nutrition, food safety, processing, regulation, sourcing, and industry practices—designed to replace confusion with clarity and empower informed decisions.
Understand How Pet Food Really Works
All Topics
Dive into our blog for a chronological education on pet nutrition, food safety, processing, regulation, sourcing, and industry practices
Pet Nutrition & Biological Alignment
This category explores species-appropriate nutrition, whole-food feeding, and the physiological needs of dogs and cats through a research-driven lens. Here, we examine what animals are biologically designed to eat, how nutrients function in real systems, and where current “complete and balanced” standards fall short.
Minerals, Synthetics & Heavy Metals
This category dives into mineral metabolism, synthetic vitamins, heavy metal exposure, and the cumulative effects of environmental and dietary inputs on metabolic health. Drawing from HTMA research and formulation experience, these articles explore how imbalances occur, why synthetics behave differently than whole-food nutrients, and how contamination is frequently overlooked in pet food discussions.
Food Processing & Technology
This category examines the science of pet food processing, including extrusion, high-pressure processing (HPP), fermentation, freeze-drying, and emerging technologies like bacteriophages. We explore how processing alters nutrient integrity, digestibility, microbiome health, and safety—separating legitimate innovation from processing methods driven by shelf life and scalability rather than health.
Food Safety, Pathogens & Risk Assessment
This category takes a risk-based, evidence-driven approach to food safety—examining pathogens, aflatoxins, recalls, and testing methods in context. Rather than relying on zero-tolerance thinking, these articles focus on real-world risk, regulatory misuse of “safety,” and how food safety is sometimes weaponized in marketing instead of grounded in science.
Pet Food Industry & Ingredient Sourcing
This category investigates ingredient sourcing, manufacturing practices, labeling loopholes, and corporate behavior within the pet food industry. From rendering and country-of-origin issues to marketing claims and transparency gaps, this section pulls back the curtain on how ingredients are sourced, processed, and sold—and what consumers are rarely told.
Regulation, Policy & Feed Law
This category breaks down AAFCO standards, FDA feed law, compliance myths, and regulatory policy in clear, accessible language. Here, we examine how regulations are written, how they’re enforced (or not), and where policy fails to protect biological health. The focus is on education—not compliance theater—and on empowering readers to understand the system shaping the food supply.
Fermentation & Microbiome Science
This category explores the science of fermentation, microbiome health, digestibility, immune interactions, and the role of fermented foods in supporting biological systems. Drawing on formulation experience and emerging research, these articles clarify what fermentation actually is, what it is not, and how it differs fundamentally from post-processing additives.
Research, Analysis & Investigations
This category houses long-form analysis, original research synthesis, and investigative work connecting nutrition, regulation, and industry behavior. These pieces go beyond surface-level explanations to examine patterns, incentives, and systemic issues shaping the pet food landscape. If you’re looking for context, nuance, and deeper understanding, this is where the dots get connected.
Retailer & Veterinary Education
This category provides professional-facing education on nutrition literacy, formulation evaluation, regulatory context, and client communication. The focus is practical, evidence-based knowledge designed to support informed guidance without relying on brand scripts or outdated assumptions.
Industry Myths & Misinformation
This category directly addresses common pet food myths, misinformation, and misleading claims perpetuated by advertising, influencers, and even regulatory language. Each article is grounded in research and real-world experience, offering clear corrections and context so readers can separate fact from fiction.
Video Library
Short-form and long-form video content breaking down pet nutrition science, food safety, processing methods, regulation, and industry practices in a clear, accessible format—bringing evidence-based education and investigative analysis directly to viewers.
Videos & Articles from TruthChelsea Media
Research-driven writing and investigative insights from trusted voices examining pet nutrition, food safety, regulation, and industry transparency.
What High-Pressure Processing Really Does to Nutrients
Articles in this section explore how formulation choices and processing methods influence nutrient integrity, digestion, and long-term metabolic health—cutting through marketing claims to focus on biological reality.
How AAFCO Standards Shape (and Limit) Pet Food Quality
This collection examines feed law, safety narratives, and regulatory structures that shape the pet food industry—highlighting where policy protects health and where it quietly falls short.
