Why a Detailed Diet History Is Crucial for Your Pet’s Health

Dr. Zeke Zekoff
Apr 3
2 min read

When it comes to keeping our pets healthy, nutrition is often the first—and most overlooked—line of defense. Whether your cat is gaining weight, your dog has a dull coat, or you're managing a chronic condition, understanding what your pet eats every day is vital. That’s where the extended diet history form comes in.

Veterinarians use tools like the WSAVA Extended Diet History Form to assess everything from food quantity and quality to treats, supplements, and even feeding routines. Here’s why that matters, and how you can better support your pet’s nutrition at home.

Nutrition Is More Than Just the Food Bowl

Many pet owners can name the brand of food they feed—but few can recall exactly how much, how often, or how many extras are given throughout the day. Yet those details can drastically affect your pet’s health.

The extended diet history goes beyond basic food labels. It considers:

Exact food types and brands
Portion sizes and feeding frequency
Treats, table scraps, and food used for medication
Supplements like fish oil, glucosamine, or vitamins
Changes in eating behavior or appetite

This kind of data helps veterinarians identify problems that might otherwise go unnoticed—such as nutrient imbalances, overfeeding, underfeeding, or hidden ingredients that might be exacerbating medical conditions.

Who Should Fill Out a Diet History Form?

The short answer? Every pet owner.

But it's especially important for pets with:

Weight issues (underweight or overweight)
Chronic illness (like diabetes, kidney disease, or GI disorders)
Aging-related dietary changes
Behavioral concerns
Frequent GI upsets (vomiting, diarrhea, constipation)

It's also a must for households with:

Multiple pets eating different foods
Shared feeding duties among family members
Pets on unconventional diets (raw, homemade, vegetarian, etc.)

What Vets Look For in Your Answers

When your vet reviews your pet’s diet history, they’re cross-referencing it with clinical findings. This includes:

Body condition score (BCS)
Muscle condition score (MCS)
Blood work and diagnostic results
Physical signs (e.g., skin issues, coat quality, dental health)

Risk factors like advanced age, poor appetite, or unbalanced homemade diets often require a deeper dive. If necessary, your vet will calculate new caloric recommendations or recommend a change in feeding habits, food brand, or even household routines.

How to Use This Form at Home

You don’t need to wait for a vet visit to complete a diet history. Keeping a simple food journal that tracks what your pet eats—and how much—can empower you to:

Monitor portion control
Catch early signs of dietary issues
Adjust feeding during life-stage changes
Communicate more effectively with your vet

Pro tip: Include treats, supplements, and medications in your log. These can make up more than 10% of a pet’s calorie intake and may influence overall health.

Final Thoughts

Good nutrition is the foundation of good health. The extended diet history form is more than paperwork—it’s a roadmap to understanding and improving your pet’s well-being. When you partner with your vet and pay close attention to the details of what goes into your pet’s bowl, you're investing in a longer, healthier, and more vibrant life for your furry family member.

Want to try filling out a diet history for your own pet? Ask your veterinarian for a copy or download a version from wsava.org to start the conversation.