Pocket Guide: Feeding tubes in small animal practice

This free download guides you through feeding tube case selection, tube placement, nutritional requirements, and more. It's confidence in your pocket!

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Nutritional support is a cornerstone of recovery in companion animal practice. However, feeding tube placement is often delayed due to uncertainty regarding when to intervene, which tube to select, and how much to feed.

This pocket guide provides practical support for clinical decision-making. It includes a tube selection algorithm, a checklist to determine when tube placement is indicated, and a step-by-step enteral feeding guide. Designed for quick reference, it can be easily accessed on your phone for cases requiring enteral support.

Inside the guide:

The pocket guide addresses key clinical questions, including:

  • When is a feeding tube indicated?

  • How should I select the appropriate type of feeding tube?

  • How long can a nasogastric tube remain in place? 

  • What type of diet should be used with a feeding tube?

  • How do I safely feed a dog or cat using a feeding tube?

A feeding tube should be considered when a patient has voluntarily consumed less than 80% of their Resting Energy Requirement (RER) for more than three days. Early intervention helps prevent muscle loss, delayed wound healing, and prolonged recovery.

This free, easy-to-use guide provides step-by-step support through every stage of enteral nutrition management.

Fill out the form below to get instant access to the download

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Small Animal Medicine

ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert)

Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)

date April 2026