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Professional Canine Nutrition Certification FAQ
Professional Canine Nutrition Certification FAQ

Nutrition Course answers

Jolene avatar
Written by Jolene
Updated over 3 months ago

Who is the professional course for?

If you want to make a career as a canine nutritionist, the Certified Professional Canine Nutrition course is the best option. Our CPCN course is approved by the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) for 10 continued education credits for veterinary professionals but you do not need to be a vet to take this course.

The CPCN course is also approved for continued education credits for CCPDT members! 21 credits for both trainers and behavior consultants.

The acronym CPCN will be available for use upon completion of the course. The course will prepare you to provide guidance to dog parents about raw and whole-food diets. We do not teach diet formulation via a spreadsheet, as that is not our philosophy. We teach that variety is the key to balancing the diet and how to supplement with purpose.

There are no prerequisites or scholarships.

Veterinary professionals can become board-certified in animal nutrition, but they have to already have a degree as a veterinarian or a veterinary technician to attain the board-certified status.

Can CEUs be applied later?

If you take the CPCN course before completing your studies as a veterinarian or dog trainer you will not be able to claim CEUs at a later date. CEUs are for continuing education after completing your studies.

What format is the course in?

Our courses are all currently in written format only but we are working to add some audio and video portions in the future! For now, if you'd prefer it as audio there are many apps available that will read the coursework to you.

How are the exams done?

There are several different units, after each unit you'll have a quiz to take to test your understanding. At the end of all of the units, you will have an exam. Quizzes and the exam are online and are multiple choice.

How many attempts do I have to pass the test?

You have three attempts to pass the course quizzes.

How long is the course?

Approximately 80 hours of coursework plus the workshop.

Am I required to participate in the DIY workshop?

Yes! Our professional nutrition course is designed to not only provide academic insight with the written material but also give hands-on experience with the workshop to ensure you fully understand the material.

You will need to be present in the workshop with your camera on and prepare 7 days' worth of food. We understand the cost of groceries to participate for larger dogs can be high. You can choose to shop and prep for a smaller example dog.

Participation in the workshop is required in order to receive your certificate. If the actual certificate is not important to your goals you can certainly skip it! You won't be able to add the CPCN abbreviation after your name or use the badge without the certification though.

You may be required to retake the workshop if you do not participate. This will be at your cost.

By signing up for this course and agreeing to the terms of service you are acknowledging that you must attend and participate in the hands-on workshop in order to receive your certificate.

Workshops can be rescheduled at least 48 before the scheduled start time. Workshops can be rescheduled once.

I live outside the US. Do I still have to attend the workshop?

Yes! The workshop is online and all students must attend/participate to complete their certification. All workshops are scheduled in Pacific Standard Time. We understand the available times may not be ideal for international students. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer additional timeslots at this time.

What do you do with your meals after the workshop?

We recommend feeding them to your dog! Whether your dog is already raw fed or eating kibble your meals can be used as replacements or toppers. If your pup isn't able to eat them (or you don't have a dog) we suggest donating them to a friend.

If your dog isn't used to raw food you can also lightly sear your meals before serving.

There aren't any workshops this month. Will more be added?

There are 2-4 workshops per month with a maximum of 10 students. Additional workshops may be added if the instructor is available.

You can always request to be waitlisted for an earlier workshop by messaging us at help@feedreal.com.

We are a small team with one course instructor. Our instructor hosts workshops, researches & updates courses, hosts lunch and learns for veterinarian offices, and attends educational conferences. We ask that you have patience as we grow.

Do you offer payment plans?

At this time we do not offer payment plans.

Are there any course discounts?

No. We may occasionally offer promotional discounts.

Are there any additional required course materials?

No, everything required is included. There is additional recommended reading but not required to complete the course.

Is the course refundable?

No, due to the nature of a digital product, all sales are final. Courses are non-transferable.

How long do I have to complete the course?

You have 1 year from the time of purchase to complete your course. Beyond one year, you can continue access to the course as long as you have a Feed Real membership ($9/month).

Is the course accredited through a university?

Our courses are not accredited by a university, so they cannot count towards any other courses or certificates with other Universities/Institutions! You will be accredited, but not by an independent university. Kay Stewart, a registered veterinary technician oversees and approves all of our courses. Many of our students use this accreditation to create a career path or business helping other people with feeding their dogs. However, the important thing is to make sure your clients understand that your certification is from the Feed Real Institute not from a formal third-party university.

The choice as to which course is at the discretion of each person. Having examined and taken several of the courses, I feel that ours offers the most practical advice along with strong academic content. Also, the only courses that will be from an accredited entity are those offered through Universities/colleges.

What is the difference between the pro course and the Dog Food Basics course?

The professional course is designed for people wanting to pursue a career in the pet wellness industry, veterinarians and techs, as well as experienced fresh feeders looking to increase their knowledge.

This course is heavily detailed and more academic in language and may be difficult for some beginners to follow, although our course instructor is always available in the Facebook group if you need help!

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