Canine Nutrition Course

Lesson 1 • Life Stage Physiology

Contrasts physiological differences across puppies, adults, seniors, and reproductive females. Sets the biological rationale for life-stage-specific feeding strategies covered later.

Lesson 2 • Metabolic Processes in Dogs

Explains how dogs convert macronutrients into usable energy through metabolic pathways. Connects biochemistry to practical feeding decisions made throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Canine Digestive System Overview

Maps the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to colon and identifies each organ's role. Provides the anatomical framework for all subsequent nutrient absorption topics.

Lesson 1 • Minerals and Trace Elements

Covers macro-minerals and trace elements, their functions, and the consequences of imbalance. Mineral ratios such as calcium-to-phosphorus are foundational for diet formulation.

Lesson 2 • Vitamins: Fat-Soluble and Water-Soluble

Details functions, sources, and toxicity risks of all major vitamins in canine nutrition. Builds the knowledge base needed to identify deficiencies and avoid supplementation errors.

Lesson 3 • Proteins and Amino Acids

Covers protein structure, essential amino acids, and biological value of protein sources. Directly informs ingredient selection and protein adequacy evaluation in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Carbohydrates and Fiber

Distinguishes digestible carbohydrates from dietary fiber and their respective physiological effects. Clarifies the role of fiber in gut health, a concept revisited in disease management.

Lesson 5 • Fats and Fatty Acids

Explains dietary fat roles in energy, cell membranes, and fat-soluble vitamin transport. Establishes omega-3 and omega-6 balance concepts applied in therapeutic diet chapters.

Lesson 1 • Evaluating Manufacturer Quality Claims

Distinguishes regulated claims from unregulated marketing language on pet food packaging. Equips learners to counsel clients on evidence-based product selection.

Lesson 2 • Ingredient Definitions and Quality Indicators

Clarifies standardised ingredient terminology and what each term signals about quality. Prevents misinterpretation of marketing language when selecting commercial diets.

Lesson 3 • Reading and Interpreting Pet Food Labels

Teaches the mandatory label components and how to extract meaningful nutritional data. Learners apply this skill to ingredient and nutrient analysis in subsequent chapters.

Lesson 1 • Wet and Canned Food Formats

Covers retort processing, moisture content advantages, and caloric density of canned diets. Highlights use cases such as senior dogs and urinary health management.

Lesson 2 • Fresh and Gently Cooked Commercial Diets

Analyses the growing fresh-food segment, including subscription delivery models and nutrient retention. Positions fresh diets within the broader commercial landscape for informed recommendations.

Lesson 3 • Comparing Formats for Specific Needs

Applies a decision framework to match diet format to life stage, health status, and owner lifestyle. Synthesises all format knowledge into practical recommendation skills.

Lesson 4 • Raw and Minimally Processed Diets

Examines raw feeding philosophies, nutritional claims, and documented safety concerns. Learners gain a balanced, evidence-based perspective for advising clients on raw diets.

Lesson 1 • Maintenance Energy Requirements by Life Stage

Applies life-stage multipliers to RER to derive daily caloric targets for each population. Connects physiological knowledge from Chapter 1 to practical portion calculations.

Lesson 2 • Resting Energy Requirement Calculations

Introduces the RER formula and its physiological basis for estimating baseline caloric needs. This calculation is the starting point for every feeding plan developed in the course.

Lesson 3 • Monitoring and Adjusting Portions Over Time

Establishes protocols for reassessing body condition and adjusting portions at follow-up visits. Reinforces that feeding plans are dynamic and require ongoing client communication.

Lesson 1 • Puppy Nutrition from Weaning to Adulthood

Covers nutrient priorities during rapid growth, weaning transition, and large-breed puppy risks. Applies RER multipliers and label evaluation skills to puppy diet selection.

Lesson 2 • Adult Maintenance Feeding Strategies

Defines nutritional goals for healthy adult dogs and common pitfalls that lead to obesity. Reinforces portion calculation skills and introduces body weight management protocols.

Lesson 3 • Senior Dog Nutritional Adjustments

Identifies age-related changes in digestion, muscle mass, and organ function that alter nutrient needs. Guides learners in modifying adult plans to address sarcopenia, joint health, and cognition.

Lesson 4 • Reproductive Female Nutrition

Details the elevated energy and nutrient demands of gestation and lactation in breeding females. Prepares learners to support breeders with evidence-based dietary guidance.

Lesson 1 • Urinary Tract Disease Nutrition

Explains how diet modifies urine pH, mineral concentration, and stone formation risk. Applies moisture content and mineral balance knowledge to struvite and oxalate stone management.

Lesson 2 • Renal and Cardiac Disease Nutrition

Details phosphorus restriction, protein moderation, and omega-3 supplementation for kidney disease. Covers sodium and taurine management for dogs with cardiac conditions.

Lesson 3 • Gastrointestinal Disorder Nutrition

Covers dietary approaches to acute diarrhoea, chronic enteropathy, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Connects fiber and fat content knowledge to specific GI condition management.

Lesson 4 • Canine Obesity Assessment and Management

Establishes obesity diagnosis criteria and designs caloric restriction protocols with safe weight loss rates. Integrates body condition scoring and client behaviour change strategies.

Lesson 1 • Balancing Home Diets with Supplements

Identifies the supplements required to fill gaps left by whole-food ingredients alone. Covers dosing, forms, and quality indicators for key supplements used in home diets.

Lesson 2 • Evaluating and Correcting Existing Recipes

Applies a systematic audit process to identify and correct deficiencies in owner-submitted recipes. Builds the analytical skill set needed for professional diet review consultations.

Lesson 3 • Functional and Nutraceutical Supplements

Reviews evidence for joint, digestive, cognitive, and skin supplements commonly used in canine practice. Equips learners to evaluate supplement claims critically and advise clients accurately.

Lesson 4 • Ingredient Selection for Home Diets

Guides selection of protein, carbohydrate, fat, and vegetable ingredients to meet nutrient targets. Applies nutrient function knowledge from Chapter 2 to real ingredient choices.