Veterinary survey on the use / recommendation of dog foods

May I, through these columns, thank all those who participated in the above survey. Despite a disappointingly low response rate I now have some basic information on which to work, although I would welcome any further submissions. Your readers may be interested in some of the preliminary results: Of the respondents, 40% are in mainly small-animal practice, 30% in mixed practice, 16% in mainly large-animal practice and 14% in other categories. Seventy-eight percent of respondents feel that they have inadequate information on the nutritional value of the various commercial dog foods available in New Zealand. Ninety percent of respondents consider that there is a need for education of the public about dog nutrition, 9% aren`t sure, and 1% believe that it isn`t necessary. Eighty-two percent of respondents consider that their own knowledge of dog nutrition is not as up to date as it should be, 8% aren`t sure, 10% consider that it is. The most common feeding malpractices are…