Canine Nutrition Classes

[Diana Erhart]

Since my daughter's maltese has been diagnosed with Corneal Lipid Dystrophy and needs to be on an ultra low-fat diet with no poultry or poultry fat, I have become interested in learning more about Canine Nutrition. I have searched all over the internet and had a very difficult time finding courses available in this area. The only on-line one I have found in the US is http://anhs-school.com/pet-nutrition.html . I did find a few in the UK but really wanted something in the states. Has anyone else heard of any such courses being available? Karen, is there any good books that you can recommend that I read?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It is a very sad fact that educational resources for canine nutrition information are very scarce. There is not even one single degree program at any accredited institution in the U.S., nor is there any certification program for a "canine nutritionist".  Anyone can take a course such as the one you linked and call themselves an animal nutritionist. 

There is a veterinary specialty that requires a DVM degree, but obviously, you have to be a vet to take that program, and it's veterinary graduate school, lol. 

I am not impressed with the program you linked, because it's based in alternative ("natural") principles of medicine, and therefore may not offer scientifically factual information. 

There is a textbook that is available through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Small-Animal-Clinical-Nutrition-Michael/dp/09...

Other than that, I can't really recommend any program or book. believe me, I wish I could, I'd like to learn more myself. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Karen, write one!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't know enough, especially about diets for special populations. I wish I did! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

No one does I guess. So we, see I'm helping out now, can gather what information there is. In fact an on line kind of book would be ideal so that it can be easily updated etc. now all that's needed is a vet with nutritional training. I wonder who does the nutritional Orkney for the dog food companies. Maybe Champion has someone good.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That would be a good thing to find out. Most of the people most educated in small animal nutrition in this country seem to work for Hill's & Purina. :-( 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was poking around the Champion site and came across this paper on nutrition, which seems interesting but I am too tired to read it right now. Sadly, I did not see an author listed though there are some references.

The Biologically Appropriate Food Concept and the Dietary Needs of Dogs and Cats

http://files.championpetfoods.com/ORIJEN_White_Paper.pdf

[Adrienne]

I second that motion F.  I would most definitely purchase an online book published by you.  You have a wealth of knowledge, probably more than many of those who have authored articles/books/etc. on the internet and elsewhere.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

:-) 

[Diana Erhart]

All of the specialty graduate programs at the vet schools seem to be funded by Purina, Hills or Royal Canin. Guess that explains alot. I did find this program in Illinois http://coas.siu.edu/academics/non-degree-programs/companion-animal-... . I have requested more information on it since the website doesn't really go into as much detail as I would like. Will be interesting to see what they say.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, Purina, Hill's & RC fund all of the nutritional education programs in the vet schools, and they also publish the textbooks. 

The thing is, they do have some very knowledgable people working for them, but the priority is the bottom line, i.e. "How can we make dog food that provides the very minimum dogs need to live as cheaply as possible?"

Just like the big energy companies have PhDs in the earth sciences helping them figure out how to destroy the planet in the least objectionable way, lol. 

That course at So. Ill. looks better to me than the "natural" one, and more honest.