HLES_Diet

About the Diet Survey

The Diet Survey collects data on diet types, changes to diet, treats, supplements, appetite and weight. This survey was in use until July 2022 when it was replaced with the Comprehensive Diet Survey.

Survey Instrument: HLES Diet

Feeding patterns

Feeding frequency
Subset sample size: 40,307 Count (%)
Times per day the dog is fed [df_feedings_per_day]
Once 2,970 (7%)
Twice 29,692 (74%)
Three or more 3,502 (9%)
Free fed (filling up bowl when empty or always having food available) 4,143 (10%)

Primary diet

About the dog's primary diet component
Subset sample size: 40,307 Count (%)
Primary diet component [df_primary_diet_component]
Commercially prepared dry food (kibble) 33,109 (82%)
Commercially prepared canned food 1,599 (4%)
Commercially prepared freeze-dried food 591 (1%)
Commercially prepared refrigerated or frozen raw food 1,532 (4%)
Commercially prepared semi-dry or semi-moist food 429 (1%)
Home prepared cooked diet 1,670 (4%)
Home prepared raw diet 630 (2%)
Other 747 (2%)
Organic primary diet component [df_primary_diet_component_organic]
No 32,266 (80%)
Yes 8,041 (20%)
Grain-free primary diet component (current) [df_primary_diet_component_grain_free]
No 24,072 (60%)
Yes 16,235 (40%)
Subset sample size: 24,072 Count (%)
Grain-free primary diet component (in the past) [df_primary_diet_component_grain_free_past]
No 16,868 (70%)
Yes 7,204 (30%)
Changes to the primary diet
Subset sample size: 40,307 Count (%)
Changes to primary diet component in last 12 months [df_primary_diet_component_change_recent]
No 29,530 (73%)
Yes 10,777 (27%)
Subset sample size: 10,777 Count (%)
Months since primary diet change [df_primary_diet_component_change_months_ago]
One month ago 1,860 (17%)
Two months ago 1,488 (14%)
Three months ago 1,325 (12%)
Four months ago 954 (9%)
Five months ago 564 (5%)
Six months ago 1,523 (14%)
Seven months ago 372 (3%)
Eight months ago 651 (6%)
Nine months ago 418 (4%)
Ten months ago 573 (5%)
Eleven months ago 282 (3%)
Twelve months ago 767 (7%)
Reason for primary diet change (Multiple choice) [df_primary_diet_component_change_]
Allergy Related 1,321 (12%)
Brand Change 3,245 (30%)
Different Life Stage 1,437 (13%)
Health Condition Specific 1,949 (18%)
New Food Same Brand 1,140 (11%)
Other 2,429 (23%)
Stop Grain Free 2,106 (20%)

Secondary diet, if applicable

About the dog's secondary diet component
Subset sample size: 40,307 Count (%)
Presence of a secondary diet component [df_secondary_diet_component_used]
No 26,271 (65%)
Yes 14,036 (35%)
Subset sample size: 14,036 Count (%)
Secondary diet component [df_secondary_diet_component]
Commercially prepared dry food (kibble) 2,441 (17%)
Commercially prepared canned food 4,463 (32%)
Commercially prepared freeze-dried food 751 (5%)
Commercially prepared refrigerated or frozen raw food 688 (5%)
Commercially prepared semi-dry or semi-moist food 381 (3%)
Home prepared cooked diet 2,955 (21%)
Home prepared raw diet 587 (4%)
Other 1,770 (13%)
Organic secondary diet component [df_secondary_diet_component_organic]
No 10,295 (73%)
Yes 3,741 (27%)
Grain-free secondary diet component (current) [df_secondary_diet_component_grain_free]
No 6,421 (46%)
Yes 7,615 (54%)
Subset sample size: 6,421 Count (%)
Grain-free secondary diet component (in the past) [df_secondary_diet_component_grain_free_past]
No 5,253 (82%)
Yes 1,168 (18%)
Changes to the secondary diet
Subset sample size: 14,036 Count (%)
Changes to secondary diet component in the last 12 months [df_secondary_diet_component_change_recent]
No 11,416 (81%)
Yes 2,620 (19%)
Subset sample size: 2,620 Count (%)
Months since secondary diet change [df_secondary_diet_component_change_months_ago]
One month ago 569 (22%)
Two months ago 413 (16%)
Three months ago 359 (14%)
Four months ago 216 (8%)
Five months ago 131 (5%)
Six months ago 369 (14%)
Seven months ago 80 (3%)
Eight months ago 107 (4%)
Nine months ago 83 (3%)
Ten months ago 103 (4%)
Eleven months ago 48 (2%)
Twelve months ago 142 (5%)
Reason for secondary diet change (Multiple choice) [df_secondary_diet_component_change_]
Allergy Related 239 (9%)
Brand Change 758 (29%)
Different Life Stage 218 (8%)
Health Condition Specific 491 (19%)
New Food Same Brand 204 (8%)
Other 1,005 (38%)
Stop Grain Free 218 (8%)

Treats and supplements

Treats
Subset sample size: 40,307 Count (%)
Frequency the dog receives treats [df_treats_frequency]
Never 337 (1%)
Once per day 5,850 (15%)
Twice per day 11,129 (28%)
Three times or more per day 16,699 (41%)
Occasionally (not daily) 6,292 (16%)
Subset sample size: 39,970 Count (%)
Types of treats (Multiple choice) [df_treats]
Bones 10,407 (26%)
Commercial Biscuits 31,931 (80%)
Homemade Biscuits 10,889 (27%)
Homemade Protein 9,087 (23%)
Other 13,182 (33%)
Peanut Butter 21,981 (55%)
Pumpkin 12,593 (32%)
Rawhide 14,876 (37%)
Table Carbs 13,867 (35%)
Table Meat 23,962 (60%)
Vegetables 25,232 (63%)
Daily dietary supplements
Subset sample size: 40,307 Count (%)
Dog receives daily dietary supplements (any type) [df_daily_supplements]
No 21,774 (54%)
Yes 18,533 (46%)
Subset sample size: 18,533 Count (%)
Bone meal [df_daily_supplements_bone_meal]
No 15,742 (85%)
Given as a separate supplement 293 (2%)
Food contains supplement 2,498 (13%)
Joint (Glucosamine) [df_daily_supplements_glucosamine]
No 6,749 (36%)
Given as a separate supplement 9,662 (52%)
Food contains supplement 2,122 (11%)
Joint (Chondroitin Sulfate) [df_daily_supplements_chondroitin]
No 9,009 (49%)
Given as a separate supplement 7,600 (41%)
Food contains supplement 1,924 (10%)
Joint (Other) [df_daily_supplements_other_joint]
No 13,301 (72%)
Given as a separate supplement 3,989 (22%)
Food contains supplement 1,243 (7%)
Omega 3 or other fatty acids [df_daily_supplements_omega3]
No 6,620 (36%)
Given as a separate supplement 7,966 (43%)
Food contains supplement 3,947 (21%)
Skin or coat supplement [df_daily_supplements_non_oil_skin]
No 14,255 (77%)
Given as a separate supplement 1,924 (10%)
Food contains supplement 2,354 (13%)
Vitamins [df_daily_supplements_vitamins]
No 10,600 (57%)
Given as a separate supplement 3,148 (17%)
Food contains supplement 4,785 (26%)
Enzymes [df_daily_supplements_enzyme]
No 15,588 (84%)
Given as a separate supplement 1,060 (6%)
Food contains supplement 1,885 (10%)
Probiotics [df_daily_supplements_probiotics]
No 10,834 (58%)
Given as a separate supplement 5,037 (27%)
Food contains supplement 2,662 (14%)
Fiber [df_daily_supplements_fiber]
No 12,743 (69%)
Given as a separate supplement 1,308 (7%)
Food contains supplement 4,482 (24%)
Supplement to alkalinize urine [df_daily_supplements_alkalinize]
No 17,576 (95%)
Given as a separate supplement 250 (1%)
Food contains supplement 707 (4%)
Supplement to acidify urine [df_daily_supplements_acidify]
No 17,651 (95%)
Given as a separate supplement 190 (1%)
Food contains supplement 692 (4%)
Taurine or carnitine [df_daily_supplements_taurine]
No 15,499 (84%)
Given as a separate supplement 526 (3%)
Food contains supplement 2,508 (14%)
Antioxidants [df_daily_supplements_antiox]
No 14,015 (76%)
Given as a separate supplement 1,193 (6%)
Food contains supplement 3,325 (18%)
Coenzyme Q10 [df_daily_supplements_coenzyme_q10]
No 16,762 (90%)
Given as a separate supplement 722 (4%)
Food contains supplement 1,049 (6%)
Other daily dietary supplements [df_daily_supplements_other]
No 14,537 (78%)
Given as a separate supplement 3,388 (18%)
Food contains supplement 608 (3%)
Infrequent (less than daily) dietary supplements
Subset sample size: 40,307 Count (%)
Dog receives infrequent (less than daily) dietary supplements (any type) [df_infrequent_supplements]
No 35,726 (89%)
Yes 4,581 (11%)
Subset sample size: 4,581 Count (%)
Bone meal [df_infrequent_supplements_bone_meal]
No 4,141 (90%)
Given as a separate supplement 100 (2%)
Food contains supplement 340 (7%)
Joint (Glucosamine) [df_infrequent_supplements_glucosamine]
No 3,006 (66%)
Given as a separate supplement 1,234 (27%)
Food contains supplement 341 (7%)
Joint (Chondroitin Sulfate) [df_infrequent_supplements_chondroitin]
No 3,448 (75%)
Given as a separate supplement 848 (19%)
Food contains supplement 285 (6%)
Joint (Other) [df_infrequent_supplements_other_joint]
No 3,969 (87%)
Given as a separate supplement 446 (10%)
Food contains supplement 166 (4%)
Omega 3 or other fatty acids [df_infrequent_supplements_omega3]
No 2,699 (59%)
Given as a separate supplement 1,299 (28%)
Food contains supplement 583 (13%)
Skin or coat supplement [df_infrequent_supplements_non_oil_skin]
No 3,821 (83%)
Given as a separate supplement 430 (9%)
Food contains supplement 330 (7%)
Vitamins [df_infrequent_supplements_vitamins]
No 3,447 (75%)
Given as a separate supplement 502 (11%)
Food contains supplement 632 (14%)
Enzymes [df_infrequent_supplements_enzyme]
No 4,230 (92%)
Given as a separate supplement 144 (3%)
Food contains supplement 207 (5%)
Probiotics [df_infrequent_supplements_probiotics]
No 2,988 (65%)
Given as a separate supplement 1,246 (27%)
Food contains supplement 347 (8%)
Fiber [df_infrequent_supplements_fiber]
No 3,740 (82%)
Given as a separate supplement 284 (6%)
Food contains supplement 557 (12%)
Supplement to alkalinize urine [df_infrequent_supplements_alkalinize]
No 4,465 (97%)
Given as a separate supplement 36 (1%)
Food contains supplement 80 (2%)
Supplement to acidify urine [df_infrequent_supplements_acidify]
No 4,468 (98%)
Given as a separate supplement 34 (1%)
Food contains supplement 79 (2%)
Taurine or carnitine [df_infrequent_supplements_taurine]
No 4,240 (93%)
Given as a separate supplement 66 (1%)
Food contains supplement 275 (6%)
Antioxidants [df_infrequent_supplements_antiox]
No 4,059 (89%)
Given as a separate supplement 141 (3%)
Food contains supplement 381 (8%)
Coenzyme Q10 [df_infrequent_supplements_coenzyme_q10]
No 4,371 (95%)
Given as a separate supplement 90 (2%)
Food contains supplement 120 (3%)
Other less than daily dietary supplements [df_infrequent_supplements_other]
No 3,682 (80%)
Given as a separate supplement 825 (18%)
Food contains supplement 74 (2%)

Diet consistency, appetite, and weight

Appetite
Subset sample size: 40,307 Count (%)
Consistency of daily diet [df_diet_consistency]
Very consistent 35,816 (89%)
Somewhat consistent 4,182 (10%)
Not at all consistent 274 (1%)
Other 35 (<1%)
Owner assessment of dog's appetite [df_appetite]
Poor (does not eat without encouragement) 1,816 (5%)
Average (eats without prompting to do so and seems full afterwards) 22,768 (56%)
Voracious (always ready for more food) 15,723 (39%)
Appetite changes in the last year [df_appetite_change_last_year]
Yes 37,334 (93%)
Eats less than usual 1,806 (4%)
Eats more than usual 794 (2%)
Don't Know 373 (1%)
Weight
Subset sample size: 40,307 Count (%)
History of malnourishment [df_ever_malnourished]
No 31,700 (79%)
Yes 3,078 (8%)
Unknown 5,529 (14%)
Dog underweight (current or in the past) [df_ever_underweight]
No 31,161 (77%)
Yes 5,382 (13%)
Unknown 3,764 (9%)
Dog overweight (current or in the past) [df_ever_overweight]
No 28,384 (70%)
Yes 10,072 (25%)
Unknown 1,851 (5%)
Weight changes in the last year [df_weight_change_last_year]
Yes 30,561 (76%)
Lost weight 2,175 (5%)
Gained weight 1,946 (5%)
My dog is a puppy who was growing to his/her full size during the past year 5,405 (13%)
Don't know 220 (1%)
Generated on 2025-02-11