The Purina Institute has launched the Purina Institute Handbook of Canine and Feline Well-Pet Nutrition, a free digital resource designed to help veterinary teams provide science-based nutritional guidance for healthy pets.
The product-agnostic eBook features contributions from 54 experts representing 20 countries and serves as a follow-up to the Purina Institute Handbook of Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition introduced in 2023. With 71% of dogs and cats currently on a well-pet diet, the handbook is designed to address the growing need for informed nutritional advice in veterinary practice.
The resource covers essential topics including nutrient functions, specialized nutrition for different life stages, proactive nutrition strategies, and communication techniques for discussing nutrition with pet owners. Each chapter includes key takeaways, communication tips and visual aids designed as quick references for busy clinic environments.
"Nutritional science has evolved significantly, and there are many facets to consider in a well-pet diet, not just from the pet's perspective, such as life stage, activity level and body condition, but also the owner's perspective – their lifestyle, budget and preferences," said Natalia Wagemans, global head of the Purina Institute. "This resource simplifies the process of making informed recommendations and can be a vital tool for veterinary professionals to both facilitate nutrition conversations with their clients and provide informed responses to questions."
Despite 83% of veterinarians acknowledging that nutrition is extremely important to pet health and well-being, only 34% discuss nutrition proactively with clients, according to the institute.
The Purina Institute also offers additional resources including the Handbook of Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition for nutrition-responsive health conditions and CentreSquare, an online toolkit designed to facilitate nutrition conversations and increase client compliance.
Veterinary professionals can access the handbook free by visiting PurinaInstitute.com and registering to receive scientific communications including nutritional science discoveries, event invitations and newsletters.
According to Petfood Industry's Top Pet Food Companies, Nestlé Purina PetCare was founded in 1894 and produces pet food, treats and litter for dogs and cats. The company manufactures brands including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Purina employs more than 11,000 associates in the U.S. and operates with a team of nearly 500 scientists, veterinarians and pet care specialists. The company said its products feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats annually.
