Resource Center
Veterinary practice team resources from the 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
![Two cats eating out of their bowls](https://www.aaha.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/bd3868a12e774b0885ea767c140bdd20.png)
For Veterinary Teams
Try the NEW Nutrition Prescription and Weight Loss Plan Generator!
Generate a PDF of your individualized nutrition prescription for your patients, plus a 12-week weight loss plan for those who are overweight. This tool allows you to customize to your practice, establishing your team as the ultimate nutrition authority.
More resources to come!
Downloadable PDFs
5 Pet Nutrition Myths
Get the true facts to correct misinformation about grains, high-quality protein sources, and allergens in pet foods.
Nutritional Assessment Screening Evaluation
A one-page algorithm to help your team know when an extended nutritional evaluation is required.
Body Condition Scores: How Changes in BCS Correlate to a Pet’s Overweight Percentage
Visualize the relationship between BCS, percent body fat and overweight percentage.
Body Condition Scoring and Muscle Condition Scoring charts
Communication Framework for Nutrition-Related Healthcare Recommendation
Your step-by-step guide to making and communicating a solid nutritional recommendation.
Nutritional Screening Risk Factor Checklist
A one-page checklist for risk factors as determined by life stage, medical/dietary history, or physical exam, helping practitioners identify when an extended evaluation is needed.
Obesity Risk Factors: Causes and Management
A breakdown of the human, animal and genetic risk factors for obesity and how to manage them.
How to Calculate Energy Requirements
Demystify the math behind calculating RER and MER, plus the trick to making the calculations a breeze on your smartphone!
Nutrients of Concern for Diseases and Select Specific Conditions
Your go-to reference for the nutrients that will most affect your patients with particular disease conditions.
Open-Ended and Close-Ended Discussion Inquiry Examples
Need some example phrases to get your nutrition conversations off on the right foot? Get the information you need to give the best recommendation for your patients.
Client Education Materials
Pet Health Brochures
Ensure your clients understand the importance of their pets’ nutritional health with pet health brochures from AAHA.
Understanding Your Pet’s Health: A Visual Guide
Stock your exam rooms with the ultimate client education tool. Discussing wellness topics and diagnostics was never easier, thanks to this highly visual, client-friendly guide.
Educating Your Clients from A to Z: What to Say and How to Say It
Empower your staff to expertly communicate nutrition topics with clients using this entertaining training tool.
What should I feed my pet? [interactive PDF for desktop only]
Breed, size, genetics, life stage, medications—all of these and more factors affect what, how, when, and why to feed a pet. Use this interactive tool to see how clients and vet teams can work together for the pet’s best nutrition.
Additional Industry Resources
AAFCO How to Understand a Dog or Cat Food Label
ACVN Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist Diplomate Directory
American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Diplomate Search
Find a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner
Find a Certified Canine Fitness Training Professional
Talking to Clients about Overweight Pets
Pet Owner Resources
These guidelines are supported by generous educational grants from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets, and Royal Canin®.