Nutrition of Cats and Dogs

3.0 credits · Graduate

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge on cat and dog nutrition to prepare them for careers in animal nutrition research, veterinary medicine, and the pet food industry. The course is divided into 5 modules. The first part of the course discusses ingredient and nutrient requirements of felids and canids by teaching students to integrate knowledge of evolutionary feeding habits, gastrointestinal anatomy, digestive processes, and nutrient metabolism. The second part covers practical feedings through the teaching of feed ingredient sourcing and processing, and the pet food manufacturing regulations. The third focusses on metabolic disorders of nutrient metabolism. Learning activities consist of daily student reflections, designing hypothesis-driven questions, discussing peer-reviewed articles, and presenting a final project.