Empowering veterinary teams with the knowledge and tools they need in the nutritional management of dogs and cats is central to a recently launched veterinary handbook.

The Purina Institute has released the Handbook of Canine and Feline Well-Pet Nutrition, a free digital resource aimed at supporting veterinary professionals in providing nutrition guidance for healthy pets.

The handbook, which follows the 2023 Handbook of Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition, includes contributions from 54 experts across 20 countries. It addresses questions commonly faced in practice, with chapters on nutrient functions, life-stage nutrition, proactive dietary strategies, and client communication.

Designed as a practical reference, each section highlights key takeaways and visual aids to help veterinary teams integrate nutritional discussions into daily care. The handbook emphasizes the role of veterinary professionals in guiding pet owners toward science-based decisions about diet as part of overall health management.

"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," says Natalia Wagemans, MD, PhD, 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."

Veterinary professionals can get free access to the Purina Institute Handbook of Canine and Feline Well-Pet Nutrition by visiting PurinaInstitute.com.