What to record

Why records are useful

Memory is selective, and several things can change at once. A dated record helps show sequence, amount and direction: what was fed, when it changed, and what was observed afterwards. It does not prove that the food caused an improvement or problem, but it gives a professional better information to assess.

Agree the monitoring plan with your vet where the animal is young, pregnant, unwell, taking medication or already under nutritional management.

1. Identify the food precisely

• Manufacturer and exact product name
• Complete or complementary status
• Species and life stage stated on the label
• Batch or lot number and date information
• Daily amount offered and amount apparently eaten
• Treats, supplements, chews, table food and other calorie sources
• Date and method of each change

Retain a photograph of the label and batch details. “Chicken raw food” is not precise enough if you later need to identify a recipe or contact a supplier.

2. Record weight and body condition

Weight alone does not describe body composition. Body condition scoring uses both sight and touch to assess shape and fat coverage. PDSA and UK Pet Food provide dog and cat scoring resources, while WSAVA includes body condition tools in its Global Nutrition Toolkit.

Use the same reliable scale and a consistent method where possible. Ask your veterinary team to show you how to assess body condition and confirm the appropriate target for your animal.

3. Note appetite and eating behaviour

Record reluctance, unusual hunger, difficulty chewing, gulping, regurgitation or a change in the time taken to eat. Enthusiastic eating is not proof that a diet is nutritionally adequate, and initial novelty can affect interest.

4. Record digestive observations accurately

Note the frequency and character of stools without treating appearance as a complete health test. Record vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, straining, blood, mucus, abdominal discomfort or excessive wind. Use plain descriptions and dates rather than conclusions.

Contact your vet promptly for concerning, persistent or severe signs, or whenever the animal seems unwell. Do not continue a change simply to complete a diary.

5. Observe the whole animal

Record material changes in drinking, urination, activity, sleep, mood, mobility, skin, coat, mouth or breath. These observations are non-specific: they may have many causes unrelated to food and may require veterinary assessment.

6. Keep handling and product concerns

Note freezer or refrigerator problems, damaged deliveries, leaking packs, unusual thawing, suspected contamination, complaint references and supplier responses. Keep the packaging and batch information when it is safe to do so.

When to seek help

Seek veterinary advice if you are concerned, especially for repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, blood, significant appetite change, lethargy, pain, difficulty eating, marked weight change, increased thirst or urination, or any rapid deterioration. Emergencies require immediate veterinary attention.

A simple weekly summary

1. Food: exact products, amounts and extras.
2. Weight and condition: measured consistently and interpreted professionally.
3. Tolerance: appetite, vomiting, stools and any difficulty eating.
4. General wellbeing: activity and other material changes.
5. Actions: supplier contact, veterinary advice and agreed next review.

Please note: Monitoring cannot establish nutritional adequacy, diagnose illness or determine whether a diet is suitable. Share concerns and records with your veterinary professional.