Use one repeatable note format
WSAVA includes diet-history resources for veterinary nutritional assessment. The shorter household template below is our own suggested format, not a reproduction of its clinical form.
- Pet and time: record who ate and when, including uncertainty if several pets shared food.
- Food and amount: exact formula, amount offered, known leftovers, treats or other food. Keep units with the quantities.
- Observation: describe what you actually saw and when. Add relevant changes you want to discuss, such as a new food or medication.
- Unknowns and next step: leave absent details unresolved and note the question for your veterinary team.
Two pets, two different records
These invented entries show how to preserve uncertainty. They are not a recommended feeding schedule.
Milo, 08:00
Food A; 40 g offered; 5 g remained. No change noticed at the time of this note. Treats later in the day not yet recorded.
Luna, 08:00
Food B; half a pouch offered; amount eaten uncertain because Milo reached the bowl. Later observation recorded at its actual time, not backdated to breakfast.
- Do not copy Milo's measured intake into Luna's record or label Luna's food as the cause of a later change.
Bring observations, not a diagnosis
NutriPet supports pet-specific meal and reaction records. Its repeated-observation policy does not treat one journal entry as proof of a problem food.
- Keep favorable observations and unknowns alongside concerns. Recording only bad days gives an incomplete history.
- Repeated timing is still an observation, not proof of causation. Your veterinarian can decide which assessment is appropriate.
- If your pet is unwell or a suspected ingestion needs urgent advice, contact your veterinary team rather than waiting to complete a diary.
Print a pet meal and observation diary
A free two-page household worksheet. Use a separate copy for each pet and keep unknown amounts visible. No app or account required.
Print a pet meal and observation diaryFAQ
Can this diary diagnose an allergy?
No. It organizes observations for discussion. Do not start a restrictive or therapeutic diet solely from this template or an app pattern.
What if I do not know which pet ate a treat?
Record that uncertainty. Do not invent an amount or assign it to one pet to make the record look complete.
Sources
NutriPet editorial reviewEvidence library