Ethical code of conduct

What Dog Mutha stands for

Evidence-based pet care, not woo

I don’t drink from the cup of wellness personally, don’t expect the same for the pawsomes

Anti-consumerism (buy less, choose better, use longer)

I’m growing tired with the social media accounts that are constantly peddling “look at the cheap tat I’ve bought on Amazon, here’s an affiliate link so you can also buy shit you don’t need”. So this is not that. Some of what you’ll find here is me talking about why I chose to buy / use something, often to rationalise the thought process to myself, or to remind myself not to do it again in the future. I don’t have the bank balance to just buy shit for the sake of it.

Childfree lives are complete lives

Contrary to popular belief, not all girls grow up with the desire to be a parent. My life looks different to those with crotch goblins. I won’t tolerate anyone saying “but you don’t know what it’s like…” no, you’re right, I don’t. It was a choice. If I wanted to walk in your shoes I would have children and to be honest rolling that well thought out line of shit is a bit old and boring now.

Neurodivergent perspectives valued

My brain is wonky. I am weird. I don’t see things “normally”, whatever the fuck that even is in 2026.

Critical analysis of power structures and systems of oppression, with nuance for complexity

I talk political shit. If you’ve come here for dogs, cats and giggles you’re in the wrong place. It’s 2026. The global super powers are run by corrupt despot sad little white men who what power over people. If you think you can live a life without being impacted by it I’m guessing your tinfoil hat comes in size WACKO.

Accessible language, no gatekeeping

I swear. A lot. I don’t have Tourette's. It’s just “Oh do fuck off Sharon” is something I can do, rather than kissing the ass of a pretentious bitch when it comes to politics. I tend to tell it how it is, or I say nothing. Honestly? neither is particularly fun.

What you won't find here

Religious content

Please leave any prayers, blessings or religious subjugation at the door.

American exceptionalism or US-centric perspectives

I’m also doing my level best to select products and services that aren’t American wherever possible.

Greenwashing or ethics-washing

I’m human. I’m going to get it wrong on lots of occasions. But I’ll be doing my best to have a stance and stick to it.

MLM schemes or pyramid scheme adjacent nonsense

One of my super powers is sniffing an MLM a mile off. This also includes crypto

Guilt about being childfree

If you’re here to shame me, or anyone on here for not having children. Know this, I can’t have children, but I also don’t want them. Given the amount of vitriol there is in the world, I honestly can’t see how adding to it helps

Neurotypical-only perspectives

My brain is wired weird. I knew it was weird for my whole life, but not just how weird. So stuff I think is normal, is in fact, not. So don’t expect stuff to make perfect sense most of the time.

Where I'm coming from

I've had two Golden Retrievers and three cats. I know what it's like when "hypoallergenic" dog food is fuck all use because your dog can't eat any meat protein and is also allergic to carrots. I know what it's like looking at fancy pre-prepared cat food and thinking "I love you, but I'm not spending more on your weekly food bill than my own". I live alone, I pay the single person tax on everything (except, ironically, council tax), and I make choices accordingly.

So that's the lens I'm bringing. Real life, real budgets, real constraints, and a very low tolerance for bullshit.

How I work

• Facts over feelings: Every claim about pet care, health, and behaviour gets checked against veterinary sources, peer-reviewed research, or actual qualified professionals. No wellness woo, no unsubstantiated shite.
• Lived experience counts: My experience matters, your experience matters, but I'll be clear about the difference between "this worked for me" and "this is what the evidence says".
• I'll own my mistakes: When I get something wrong (and I will), I'll fix it fast and tell you what changed and why. No hiding, no excuses.
• Nobody owns me: No brand, sponsor, or advertiser gets to tell me what to write. If someone's paying, you'll know about it, and I still say what I want.
• I'll come for ideas, not people: I'll challenge systems, power structures, and bad takes, but I'm not here to personally attack individuals. That said, if you come at me with abuse or harassment, I will respond accordingly and I will share your messages publicly with anyone I see fit. Don't start none, won't be none.
• Plain English, no gatekeeping: If I use technical terms, I'll explain them. Nobody should need a degree to understand what I'm saying.
• Privacy respected: If I'm sharing stories about vet visits or other people, I'll keep details private unless I have explicit permission to share.
• Content warnings given: If I'm writing about animal death, illness, injury, or anything else potentially gutting, you'll get a warning first.

Practical boundaries

I am not a helpline. I am not a therapist. I am not a vet.

I won't give you personal advice about your specific pet's health, behaviour, or nutrition. If you need that, talk to someone who went to vet school or nutrition school - they're trained for it, I'm not.

What I will do is share what I've learned, what worked (or didn't) for me, and point you toward actual professional resources when needed.

Money talk

If money changes hands in any direction, you'll know about it. Simple as that.

What I'll tell you:

• Affiliate links: If I earn a commission from a link, it'll be marked. Either inline or at the start/end of the piece.
• Sponsored content: If a brand pays me to create something, it'll say "Sponsored by X" right at the top. You won't have to hunt for it.
• Gifted products: If I get something for free, I'll say so, whether or not there was any expectation of coverage.
• Financial interests: If I own part of a company, have invested in it, or have any ongoing financial relationship with it, I'll tell you.
• Advertising: Ads will look like ads. They won't be disguised as my content.

What this looks like in practice:

• Clear labels at the top of articles ("This post contains affiliate links" / "Sponsored by X")
• Inline disclosure for individual links where relevant
• Annual transparency reports showing what revenue came in and where it went
• No hidden relationships - if money moved, you'll know

What I won't do:

• Sneak in undisclosed affiliate links
• Take payment for positive coverage
• Let sponsors dictate what I write
• Use weasel words to hide commercial relationships
• Promote products I don't actually use, believe in, or would recommend to a friend