Basics of Canine Nutrition

Understanding the Science

  • Learn the Science

    A comprehensive course presenting evidence-based science about the essential nutrient needs of the domestic dog

  • Dog-Centered

    Expand your understanding of dogs with current knowledge regarding their specific nutritional needs

  • Expert Instruction & CEUs

    Taught by nutrition expert and author, Linda P. Case, MS. Earn continuing education credits with your professional organization

About "Basics of Canine Nutrition"

Detailed course designed for pet industry professionals, dog trainers, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, shelter/rescue staff and volunteers, and all who wish to learn more about the science of canine nutrition

  • Professional Certificate Course - Can be taken alone or as the first course of the Masters Class Program in Canine Nutrition

  • Ten chapters covering all of the essential nutrients and nutritional requirements of dogs - Everything you need to know about the basic science of canine nutrition

  • Students receive unlimited 6-month access to the completely self-paced course, plus Q/A and discussion sessions with the instructor and other students

  • Video lectures, readings, recorded webinars and knowledge checks keep material interesting and support students with different learning styles

  • Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available with IAABC (18 units), CPDT (trainers, 11 units; behavior consultants, 10units), KPA (18 units), and PPAB (16 units)

  • Students receive a Professional Certificate of Achievement upon course completion to help advance their careers and to market their knowledge

Register Now!

Enrollment includes on-demand access to the complete course for 6 months following registration

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Chapter 1 - Introduction

    • Basics of Canine Nutrition - Introduction to Course

    • Supporting Books

    • Tips for Success

    • Introduce Yourself!

    • Terms and Definitions to Get You Started

    • Guidelines for Using the Course Player

    • New! Use the Courses Mobile App!

  • 2

    Chapter 2 - Water, The Elixir of Life

    • Water (The Most Essential Nutrient)

    • Reading: Water Balance in Dogs

    • Water - Test Your Knowledge!

  • 3

    Chapter 3 - Energy Essentials

    • Energy Needs of Dogs

    • Energy Needs - Knowledge Check!

    • Calculating Dogs' Daily Caloric Requirements

    • Optional Assignment: Estimating Your Dog's Energy (Caloric) Needs

    • Calculating Needs - Check Your Knowledge!

  • 4

    Chapter 4 - Protein and the 'Mean Acids

    • Protein Structure and Measurement

    • Understanding Protein Quality

    • Protein Quality - Knowledge Check!

    • The Protein Requirements of Dogs

    • Protein Requirements - Knowledge Check!

    • Essential Amino Acids of Interest

    • Reactive Lysine in Pet Food

    • Tryptophan, the Calming Amino Acid?

    • Important Amino Acids - Check Your Knowledge!

  • 5

    Chapter 5 - Fat: The Alpha and the Omega

    • Dietary Fat: Structure and Classification

    • The Omega-3 Fatty Acid, DHA: Do Puppies Need It?

    • Understanding Fat - Knowledge Check!

    • The Essential Fatty Acids and Functions of Dietary Fat

    • Do Dogs Need Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

    • Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dog Foods

    • The Omegas - Checking Your Knowledge!

  • 6

    Q/A and Discussion (Chapters 1 - 5)

    • Q/A and Discussion - Chapters 1 - 5

  • 7

    Chapter 6 - Carbohydrate Controversies

    • Dietary Carbohydrate: Structure and Function

    • Dietary Carbs: What do you know?

    • So, Do Dogs Have a Carbohydrate Requirement?

    • Reading: Dogs and Carbs - Its Complicated

    • Webinar: Diet, Taurine and Dilated Cardiomyopathy - History and What We Know

    • Webinar: Diet-Related DCM: Current (2023) Research and Remaining Questions

    • Carb Requirement? Check Your Knowledge!

  • 8

    Chapter 7 - Get Things Moving with Fiber

    • Dietary Fiber: Types and Functions

    • What is Fiber - Check Your Knowledge!

    • Understanding Prebiotics

    • Prebiotics for Dogs: A Systematic Review

    • Prebiotics - Knowledge Check!

  • 9

    Chapter 8 - Take Your Vitamins

    • The Fat Soluble Vitamins

    • 2023 FDA Report - Vitamin D Toxicity in Dogs

    • 2024 FDA Report - Vitamin K in Pet Food

    • Fat Soluble Vitamins - What Do You Know?

    • The Water Soluble Vitamins

    • Vitamin Deficiency and Toxicity Signs in Dogs

    • Water Soluble Vitamins - Knowledge Check!

  • 10

    Chapter 9 - Minerals for Healthy Bones & Bodies

    • What are the Essential Minerals?

    • Mineral Deficiency and Toxicity Signs in Dogs

    • Minerals - Check Your Knowledge!

    • Zinc and Copper in Dogs' Diets

    • Considering Copper in Your Dog's Diet

    • Zinc and Copper - Knowledge Check!

  • 11

    Chapter 10 - Digest This!

    • Digestion and Absorption

    • Measuring Digestibility in Dog Food - Can We Use In-Home Feeding Trials?

    • Measuring Digestibility in Dog Foods - YES, We can!

    • Webinar: Dogs are Carnivores, Right?

    • Digestibility Matters - Check Your Knowledge!

  • 12

    Q/A and Discussion (Chapters 6 - 10)

    • Q/A and Discussion - Chapters 6 -10

  • 13

    Additional Resources

  • 14

    CEUs and Certificates

    • Completing the Course!

    • Certificate of Course Completion

    • Review the Course!

Instructor

Owner, The Science Dog

Linda Case

Linda Case is well-known author, canine nutritionist, and dog trainer. She earned her B.S. in Animal Science at Cornell University and her M.S. in Canine/Feline Nutrition at the University of Illinois. Linda is the author of numerous publications and nine books, including Feeding Smart with The Science Dog, Dog Smart, and Dog Food Logic. She is also the author of the popular Science Dog Blog. Linda and her husband Mike live in central Illinois and share their lives with three amazing dogs: Cooper, Alice and Stanley, and Pete the cat.

What Our Students are Saying About

"Basics of Canine Nutrition"

Full of wonderful scientific information!

Kari Bastyr

I have always been a nutrition geek when it comes to gut health, so when I had the opportunity to take this course for CEUs, I jumped on it. I loved Linda's ...

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I have always been a nutrition geek when it comes to gut health, so when I had the opportunity to take this course for CEUs, I jumped on it. I loved Linda's book, Dog Food Logic, so I knew this course would piggy back on it but having Linda narrate the information made it that much better. I highly recommend this course for anyone who has a dog, or works with dogs.

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Super course

Diane Buytaert

I really loved this course. Now I am going to study your books! I am very curious for your next course. It feels so good to learn from someone who is so pas...

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I really loved this course. Now I am going to study your books! I am very curious for your next course. It feels so good to learn from someone who is so passionate and has such a knowledge on the subject.

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Comprehensive and enjoyable course

Anna Nussey

Wonderfully comprehensive course that covers everything you need to know about the nutrients required in dog's diets. It is presented in nice, achievable chu...

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Wonderfully comprehensive course that covers everything you need to know about the nutrients required in dog's diets. It is presented in nice, achievable chunks and provides you with further reading if you so wish. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot.

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For those who want a deeper understanding of nutrition.

Glenn Massie

I highly recommend this comprehensive science-based course for those interested in developing a deeper understanding of the essential nutrients and nutrition...

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I highly recommend this comprehensive science-based course for those interested in developing a deeper understanding of the essential nutrients and nutritional requirements of what we should be feeding our dogs. This is exactly the type of course you would expect from a world renowned nutrition expert who has written books on the subject of canine nutrition. Linda Case provides a condensed version of "Canine Nutrition" in 10 simple to follow chapters that include video lectures, supplemental reading, and a short quiz to test yourself on your comprehension of the individual subjects. You will learn things like what a true quality protein is, and why the omega 3s in your dog’s food may not be contributing the health benefits like helping with inflammatory disorders such as joint pain.

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Solid, current canine nutrition information; excellent ed...

Lisa Burgoon

Linda is a master at taking relevant, evidence-based research on canine nutrition and putting it into understandable and practical applications for the learn...

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Linda is a master at taking relevant, evidence-based research on canine nutrition and putting it into understandable and practical applications for the learner. The course provides up-to-date information on macro- and micro-nutrient needs for dogs as well as so incredibly helpful information about many of the myths and trends in feeding our canine companions. She approaches feeding issues from a scientific lens, recognizing the need for guidance in current trends and offers pros and cons of various feeding methods that help us, the consumer and canine guardians, decide the best food in proper amount to help our dog friends thrive. As a human nutritionist and registered dietitian, I was impressed with the advanced level clinical/technical information provided, and I learned or re-learned a ton of information in both the macro- and micro-nutrient areas. An added bonus is the clearly described biochemistry that underpins all of nutritional processes. As an instructor in both face-to-face and online teaching formats at the college level, I was completely wowed by this educational format. The online learning platform, the pace, videos, voice-over power points, and opportunities to interact with Linda online and multiple other learning tools in this course are stellar. I can't wait for the next course!

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Substantive and clear!

Gina Walls

This course was excellent. It was well organized with clear information delivered with appropriate details. Nicely done.

This course was excellent. It was well organized with clear information delivered with appropriate details. Nicely done.

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Excellent course

Bianca Steinmetz

I absolutely loved this course. The information is up to date and well explained!

I absolutely loved this course. The information is up to date and well explained!

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Super informative

rosa coords

Text is clear and to the point. Thank you for facilitating the understanding and learning of the material.

Text is clear and to the point. Thank you for facilitating the understanding and learning of the material.

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Canine nutrition

Karen Greenfield

Very good introduction to canine nutrition. Done in a way that was not too technical for a non-science major to understand. Good foundation. Looking forwa...

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Very good introduction to canine nutrition. Done in a way that was not too technical for a non-science major to understand. Good foundation. Looking forward to the next course!

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