When several people feed several pets, it can be surprisingly hard to remember who had which treat, when a food changed or which packet was used. A simple record gives everyone the same information to work from.
You do not need a complicated app. A notebook, shared document or separate note for each animal can do the job. The aim is to make the details easy to find when you need them.
Start with one record for each animal
Put your pet’s name at the top and keep its information separate from the others. If two animals eat the same food, record that in both notes rather than relying on memory.
A useful starting page includes:
- The current food’s brand and full product name.
- A photograph of the ingredients and feeding information on the packet.
- Treats, chews and supplements currently given.
- Who usually feeds the animal and where its food is stored.
- The date you started the record.
Keep the packet details when changing products. Similar names and packaging can make it difficult to work out later exactly what you bought.
Include the small extras
Leave space for occasional treats and anything given by another member of the household. Ask everyone to record what they actually gave, rather than what they intended to give.
A short entry can be enough: the product name, approximate amount if known, date and person who gave it. If a detail is uncertain, write “not sure” rather than filling in a guess.
For example, “Bella: usual breakfast; new chicken treat from the blue packet, photo attached” is more useful than “normal food”. The record does not need to be perfect to make the next conversation clearer.
Keep observations separate from explanations
Write down what you noticed and when. Keep the description specific: a change in appetite, a missed meal or something different about your pet’s routine. A photograph may help you remember what you saw.
Do not turn the diary into a diagnosis. Noticing a change after a particular meal does not establish that the food caused it. The record is something you can bring to your vet, alongside your questions and your pet’s history.
Our guide to allergies, intolerances and sensitivities gives practical direction for organising observations and discussing next steps.
Use a format the whole household can follow
Try a short table rather than a long daily essay:
| Date and time | Pet | Food, treats or extras | What you noticed | Who recorded it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example: Monday morning | Bella | Usual breakfast; packet photo saved | Ate the meal as usual | Initials |
| Example: Monday afternoon | Max | Treat; product name to be confirmed | No further observation recorded | Initials |
These are examples, not customer stories. Add a separate column for questions if that helps. Avoid repeatedly changing the format: a familiar layout is easier for everyone to use.
Bring the record to a useful discussion
Before a vet appointment, gather the food-label photographs, diary and questions in one place. If you already have a Test My Pets report, keep it with that animal’s records so it is clear which report belongs to which pet.
Your report is a guide to support discussion and considered dietary exploration. Use it alongside your pet’s history and observations, with veterinary advice where needed.
The purpose of keeping a record is to make your next steps more considered. You do not need to wait until the diary is complete to contact your vet about a concern.
If you are comparing tests for more than one pet
Choose the product labelled for each animal and check its item list before ordering. Keep a note of which selection is intended for which pet; follow the registration and sample instructions supplied with the order.
Use your household record to look up the foods and ingredients each pet regularly has, then compare the items covered by each test. Keeping each pet’s food notes and report together gives you a useful starting point for discussing possible dietary changes and planning your next steps.
Explore the tests for your pets and view the full item lists to help you choose.