Feline Nutrition Course

Lesson 1 • Metabolic Characteristics of Cats

Identifies key metabolic pathways that differ in cats versus dogs and humans. Explains why certain nutrients are dietary essentials rather than synthesized internally.

Lesson 2 • Feline Taxonomy and Evolutionary Diet

Covers the obligate carnivore classification and ancestral prey-based diet of domestic cats. Connects evolutionary biology to modern nutritional requirements.

Lesson 3 • Digestive System Anatomy

Examines the structure and function of the feline gastrointestinal tract. Provides anatomical context for understanding nutrient absorption and digestion limits.

Lesson 1 • Minerals and Water Requirements

Covers macro and trace mineral functions and the critical role of water intake in cats. Links low water consumption to common urinary tract disorders.

Lesson 2 • Proteins and Amino Acids

Details the high protein requirement of cats and identifies indispensable amino acids. Establishes why taurine, arginine, and methionine are critical dietary components.

Lesson 3 • Vitamins Required by Cats

Identifies vitamins cats cannot synthesize adequately and their dietary sources. Connects vitamin deficiencies to clinical signs observed in practice.

Lesson 4 • Dietary Fats and Fatty Acids

Covers fat as the primary energy source and carrier of fat-soluble vitamins in cats. Highlights arachidonic acid as a dietary essential unique to felines.

Lesson 1 • Senior and Geriatric Cat Nutrition

Addresses age-related changes in digestion, muscle mass, and organ function affecting nutrient needs. Guides dietary adjustments to support healthy aging.

Lesson 2 • Adult Maintenance Nutrition

Defines nutrient targets for healthy adult cats at maintenance body weight. Establishes baseline feeding guidelines used as a reference for all other life stages.

Lesson 3 • Kitten Nutritional Needs

Addresses the elevated protein, fat, and mineral demands of growing kittens. Covers weaning, socialization feeding, and transition to solid food.

Lesson 4 • Reproductive and Lactating Cat Nutrition

Covers increased energy and nutrient demands during gestation and lactation. Explains how inadequate nutrition affects litter viability and queen recovery.

Lesson 1 • Ingredient Quality and Sourcing

Evaluates protein source quality, by-product use, and ingredient processing effects on nutrition. Addresses common misconceptions about ingredient terminology.

Lesson 2 • Reading and Interpreting Food Labels

Teaches systematic label analysis including ingredient order, guaranteed analysis, and caloric content. Connects label data to actual nutrient delivery in the diet.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory Standards for Pet Food

Explains the role of regulatory bodies and nutritional adequacy standards in pet food production. Provides context for interpreting label claims and compliance statements.

Lesson 4 • Wet, Dry, and Raw Food Formats

Compares moisture content, nutrient density, and palatability across food formats. Helps practitioners match food format to individual cat needs.

Lesson 1 • Transitioning to Home-Prepared Diets

Guides the gradual dietary transition process to minimize digestive upset and food refusal. Includes monitoring protocols to detect early nutritional problems.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Diet Balancing

Introduces nutrient profiling, supplementation logic, and recipe validation methods. Connects balancing principles to published feline nutrient standards.

Lesson 3 • Raw Diet Formulation

Covers prey-model and BARF approaches to raw feeding and their nutritional completeness. Evaluates bone-in meat ratios, organ inclusion, and supplementation needs.

Lesson 4 • Rationale and Risks of Home Cooking

Examines owner motivations for home-prepared diets and the documented nutritional risks. Sets realistic expectations for the complexity of balanced home cooking.

Lesson 1 • Body Condition Scoring and Assessment

Teaches standardized body condition scoring and muscle condition scoring techniques. Provides objective tools for baseline assessment and progress tracking.

Lesson 2 • Prevalence and Consequences of Feline Obesity

Quantifies the scope of feline obesity and its links to diabetes, arthritis, and hepatic lipidosis. Establishes the clinical urgency of weight management as a health priority.

Lesson 3 • Designing a Weight Loss Diet Plan

Applies caloric restriction principles and macronutrient targets to create safe weight loss plans. Ensures adequate protein to preserve lean muscle mass during caloric deficit.

Lesson 4 • Monitoring and Adjusting Weight Loss

Establishes safe weight loss rate targets and protocols for adjusting caloric intake. Addresses plateaus, owner compliance challenges, and recheck scheduling.

Lesson 1 • Gastrointestinal Disease and Diet

Covers dietary management of inflammatory bowel disease, food hypersensitivity, and constipation. Introduces elimination diets and hydrolyzed protein formulas.

Lesson 2 • Diabetes Mellitus and Carbohydrate Control

Explains the role of low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets in managing feline diabetes. Connects dietary glycemic load to insulin sensitivity and remission potential.

Lesson 3 • Hepatic and Cardiac Disease Nutrition

Addresses nutritional support for hepatic lipidosis, portosystemic shunts, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Highlights taurine and sodium management in cardiac cases.

Lesson 4 • Urinary Tract Disease and Diet

Covers dietary strategies for managing struvite and calcium oxalate urolithiasis and feline idiopathic cystitis. Links moisture, mineral content, and urine pH to stone prevention.

Lesson 1 • Client Communication and Behavior Change

Applies motivational interviewing and health literacy principles to dietary counseling. Increases owner adherence through clear, empathetic, and actionable communication.

Lesson 2 • Formulating Individualized Diet Recommendations

Applies nutrient requirement data and clinical findings to build tailored dietary plans. Balances nutritional ideals with owner lifestyle, budget, and cat preferences.

Lesson 3 • Clinical Nutritional Assessment

Integrates physical examination findings with laboratory data to identify nutritional deficiencies or excesses. Connects clinical signs to specific nutrient imbalances.

Lesson 4 • Conducting a Nutritional History

Teaches systematic collection of diet history including all food sources, treats, and supplements. Identifies hidden nutritional problems through thorough intake documentation.