The Royal Canin Certificate in Advanced Small Animal Nutrition
| Dates | Time | Expression of interest |
| Friday 1 August 2025 | 9am | Expression of interest |
Learning outcome
Designed to be product-agnostic and evergreen, CASAN will span13 modules - from foundational nutritional principles and perinatal care to disease-specific dietary management - empowering veterinarians and veterinary nurses to make confident, evidence-based recommendations. In August 2025 we will be launching the first 2 modules:
1. Fundamentals of Pet Nutrition
2. The First 300 Days (pregnancy through early growth)
These modules will take approximately 2 hours each to complete, with the learner completing a combination of video tutorials, self guided learning and quizzes to check understanding.
Why CASAN Matters
Addressing a Global Need: Less than one-quarter of veterinary schools offer clinical nutrition, and very few graduates study under qualified nutritionists.
Practical Impact: By bolstering nutrition
expertise, CASAN strengthens the veterinarian–client relationship, improves
patient outcomes, and fosters trust in science-based feeding recommendations.
Speaker
Dr Nick Cave - BVSc,
MVSc, PhD, MANZS, DipACVN
Veterinary Nutrition Specialist and Researcher
Nick started his professional career in private veterinary practice, working initially in rural dairy practice, before moving to work exclusively with small animals. After 6 years, he returned to Massey University for advanced training in small animal internal medicine, and graduated with a Master’s in Veterinary Science. Having caught the academic bug, he moved to the University of California in Davis to complete a PhD in nutrition and immunology, and further training in clinical nutrition, and he became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutritionists in 2004. He then returned to teach, see patients, and research back at Massey University until last year, when he finally escaped academia to return to private practice and consulting.
He was a founding member of the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, and is a founding board member for the Massey University Centre for Working Dogs. He is on the editorial board for PLOS one, the editorial Board for the New Zealand Veterinary Journal, is an associate editor for Frontiers in Veterinary Science, has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed articles, several textbook chapters, and is a frequent commentator in public media.
Dr. Nick Cave is a distinguished veterinary nutritionist with a career spanning clinical practice, academia, and research. He earned his veterinary degree from Massey University, followed by hands-on experience in rural dairy and small animal practices. Driven by a passion for advancing veterinary science, he returned to Massey to complete a Master’s in Veterinary Science.
Dr. Cave further honed his expertise at the University of California, Davis, where he achieved a PhD in nutrition and immunology. In 2004, he became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutritionists, cementing his reputation as a leader in the field.
Returning to Massey University, Dr. Cave dedicated many years to teaching, clinical care, and research, contributing extensively to veterinary education and innovation. In 2023, he transitioned back to private practice and consulting, continuing his commitment to improving animal health and nutrition.
A founding member of the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee and the Massey University Centre for Working Dogs, Dr. Cave is deeply involved in shaping global standards in veterinary nutrition and animal welfare. He serves on the editorial boards of PLOS ONE and the New Zealand Veterinary Journal and is an associate editor for Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Dr. Cave has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles, contributed to several veterinary textbooks, and is a sought-after voice in public media. His work reflects a lifelong dedication to advancing veterinary science and improving the well-being of animals worldwide.
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