DIET AND EXERCISE PATTERNS IN PET DOGS

A study was conducted to provide baseline data on pet dog diet and exe rcise patterns. In addition, the repeatability of a telephone question naire to determine these patterns was evaluated. Dogs seen at the Texa s Veterinary Medical Center that were less than 3 years old and of med ium, large, or giant purebreeds or mixed-breeds were included. Informa tion was collected about background variables, brands, quantities, and types of foods fed, and types and frequency of exercise, Daily intake of metabolizable energy, calcium, fat, and protein weve calculated fr om the diet. Sixty-nine dog owners completed tile study. Most dogs wer e kept as pets in an urban/suburban environment. Most were also fed dr y food. About 60% were fed dog biscuits or some other dog snack ou tre at, and about half of the dogs in the study were fed twice daily. Meat scraps and bones were the table foods most commonly fed. Most owners considered their dogs to be moderately or very active. Greater than 70 % of the dogs were confined to a fenced yard. About 65% of the owners took their dogs for walks. Forty percent of dogs in the study exercise d with other dogs daily. More than hall of the owners reported playing retrieving games with their dogs, including playing with a flying dis h. The questionnaire was shown to be repeatable.