Use of veterinary diets for dogs and cats hospitalized at a veterinary university clinc in Sweden

Background: Few scientific studies have reported on the use of veterinary diets. Aim: To examine how many of the dogs and cats were given diets suitable for their medical conditions and how they complied with the diet both at the clinic and at home. Methods: Five days recording of dietary intake at a Swedish university animal clinic, and a combined mail and telephone questionnaire to owners 6 months later. Results: The most common type of disease seen in dogs and cats hospitalized at the university clinic at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is gastrointestinal problems (44 and 46% of the dogs and cats, respectively). Dogs have more oncology problems and individuals that have been poisoned, while cats suffer from more urological problems. At the clinic, a total of 56 and 85% of the dogs and cats, respectively, were put on veterinary diets. When discharged 43 and 32% of dogs and cats, respectively, were prescribed a veterinary diet. Most owners (92%) stated that they believed the veterinary diet had positively influenced the health of the animal. Conclusion: Veterinary clinics should put more focus on the fact that the diet plays an important role in the recovery of the animal both at the clinic and at home.