When your dog has an upset stomach, an itchy patch or a sudden change in appetite, your vet will usually ask questions like: what has your dog been eating, when did it start, and has anything changed? It is surprisingly hard to remember the details a week later. A simple food and health diary makes those answers easy. It also helps when you switch foods, try new treats or rotate fresh food recipes. This guide explains what to record, how to keep the habit going and how to use your notes with your veterinarian. A diary is a record-keeping tool, not a way to diagnose problems; always contact your vet about health concerns.
Why a diary helps
A diary can help you and your vet:
- Spot patterns, such as loose stool a day after a certain treat
- Track how a food switch is going
- See gradual changes in weight, appetite or energy
- Give accurate timelines at vet appointments
- Identify which food, batch or lot was being fed if there is a recall
- Keep everyone in the household on the same page about feeding
What to record
Keep it short. A diary you actually keep is better than a detailed one you abandon after a week. Useful entries include:
Food
- Brand, recipe and type (fresh, frozen, kibble, canned)
- Amount fed and time of meals
- Any new food or recipe change
- Lot code or best-by date when you open a new package
Treats and extras
- Treats, chews and toppers, with rough amounts
- Table scraps or anything your dog got into
- Supplements and medications given with food
Output and health signs
- Stool quality, using a simple scale such as firm, soft or loose
- Vomiting, with time and what it looked like
- Appetite: ate normally, picky, refused
- Drinking: normal or noticeably more or less
- Energy and mood
- Skin and coat: scratching, licking, redness or ear problems
Body measures
- Weight, every week or two
- Body condition notes. See checking body condition on fresh food.
Using a stool scale
Many vets use a numbered stool chart to describe consistency. If your vet has one, use it. If not, a simple description is enough. Note colour changes, mucus or blood. Blood in stool, black or tarry stool, or repeated diarrhoea are reasons to contact your vet promptly.
During a food switch
Food changes are one of the most useful times to keep a diary. Most guidance recommends switching gradually over about a week or longer, mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old. Record the ratio each day and note stool quality, appetite and any vomiting. If problems appear, your notes show exactly where in the transition they started. Our guide to how to switch dog foods explains a typical schedule, and transition treats during food switches covers treats during the change.
Rotating recipes and new treats
If you rotate fresh food recipes or proteins, record each change. Introduce one new food or treat at a time, so if a reaction happens, you know what caused it. See rotating fresh dog food recipes.
Picky eaters
For dogs that refuse food, a diary can reveal patterns: maybe they eat better at certain times, after walks or when food is served at a certain temperature. Note what was offered, how much was eaten and anything different that day. Our guide to fresh food for picky eaters has more ideas. A sudden loss of appetite, especially with other signs, is a reason to call your vet.
Suspected food sensitivities
If your vet suspects a food sensitivity, they may recommend an elimination diet using a novel protein or hydrolysed diet for several weeks. A diary is essential during this process, because even small extras such as flavoured medications, treats or licked plates can affect results. Record everything your dog eats and any symptoms. Follow your vet's plan exactly. See limited ingredient and novel protein labels.
Recalls and lot codes
When you open a new bag, box or batch of food, note the lot code and best-by date. If a recall is announced, you can quickly check whether your food is affected. Our guide to checking dog food recalls and lot codes explains where to find recall information.
Tools that make it easy
Choose whatever you will actually use:
- A notebook on the counter near the food
- A shared note or spreadsheet that everyone in the household can update
- A calendar app, adding quick notes to each day
- Photos, such as pictures of stool, rashes or food labels, which can be useful for your vet
- Pet health apps, some of which offer logs for food, weight and medication
Keep the format consistent so patterns are easier to spot.
Multi-dog and multi-person homes
In homes with more than one dog, label entries clearly. If several people feed the dog, a shared log prevents double feeding and missed medications. See fresh food in multi-dog homes.
Using the diary with your vet
Before a vet visit, look over the last few weeks and write a short summary: when the issue started, what changed around that time and what you have tried. Bring the diary or share it on your phone. Your vet can review the details and decide what matters. Do not change your dog's diet or stop medications based on a pattern you see without checking with your vet first.
Keeping the habit going
- Keep the diary somewhere visible.
- Record right after meals or at a set time each evening.
- Use short codes or checkboxes for common entries.
- Do a fuller entry weekly for weight and body condition.
- Do not worry about missed days; just pick up again.
When to contact a vet right away
Some signs need prompt veterinary attention rather than a diary entry, such as repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, signs of pain, a swollen belly, difficulty breathing, collapse, or eating something toxic. If in doubt, call your vet or an emergency clinic.
Bottom line
A simple food and health diary helps you spot patterns, manage food switches, respond to recalls and give your vet clear information. Record food, treats, stool, appetite, weight and any unusual signs, keep it short and consistent and share it with your vet when questions come up. For daily feeding basics, see dog food portion sizing.
About this guide
Our guides explain how to read labels, plans and specs so you can make your own choice with your vet. We don’t make health claims, we haven’t hands-on tested products, and we don’t publish invented statistics or ratings. Product facts come from official brand pages. How we work.
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