What should a dog eat? Prepare a conversation about diet

Choosing a dog’s diet involves more than a food name. Your pet’s needs and what they actually eat also matter. WSAVA nutrition resources support individual nutritional assessment by the veterinary team.

Record what your dog actually eats

Before a consultation, list all products, including main meals, treats and extras. If several people feed the dog, ask everyone for their own record. Specific names and amounts are easier to discuss than “a few snacks”.

The table is a recording template, not a calculation of your dog’s needs. It does not choose quantities or diet ingredients.

Weight is not the complete picture

WSAVA provides body condition tools and diet history forms. Discuss your dog’s assessment with the vet rather than relying on the scale alone. Dated weight records help show the direction of change.

You can record weight with the pet profile in the app. Include the date and check that you are comparing the same dog. Do not treat a chart as a diagnosis.

What should you ask about food and portions?

• Does the current feeding plan fit my dog’s situation?
• How should treats be included?
• When should the plan be reviewed?
• What information should I record before the next visit?

Discuss changes with your vet if the dog has a condition or a prescribed diet. This article does not choose an individual recipe or food quantity.

Shared feeding records

PetsyPlanet lets family members use one pet profile and mark meals. Agree who records each meal and when, especially when carers change.

Read more about dog weight records and note questions specific to your pet. An individual plan matters more than the popularity of one online diet.

Source

• WSAVA: Global Nutrition Guidelines and assessment tools