Course Description: As nutrition is the foundation, ensuring a healthy skin and coat must consider the total health of the patient and its nutrition. The skin is a large and metabolically active organ whose primary function is to protect the body from injury and infection. The haircoat will insulate from cold weather but also protect from heat, sunlight or topical irritants. Deficiencies of key essential nutrients can result in abnormal development of skin and hair, changes in the skin barrier, hair color or texture, inflammation or even hair loss. Systemic diseases may also affect skin health and proper medical management of comorbidities must be considered in the total patient care plan. An optimized nutrition plan to support skin and coat health will be reviewed including essential nutrients for skin formation, maintenance and repair such as energy, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, as well as strategic nutrients and supplements used balance inflammatory states or support the skin/gut microbiome. Nutrients may come from a well-planned diet along with strategic supplements. This discussion will include nutrients needed to support skin and haircoat along with those that may help patients with challenges such as primary skin disorders or skin conditions secondary to systemic diseases.