Description
This CPD course is aimed at vet nurses in general practice
The pet food industry is vastly varied which makes choosing a suitable, safe diet hugely challenging, particularly in the face of overwhelming amounts of information, misinformation, and strong divided opinion. This Alternative Diets Flexi Course will separate fact from fiction by evaluating the latest available evidence for four of the common alternative diets types which are increasingly being fed to dogs and cats:
- Grain free diets
- Home-prepared cooked diets
- Raw meat-based diets
- Plant-based diets
As with all veterinary medicine, it is vital that a recommendation should be evidence based and so for each diet type the course will evaluate the evidence for and against its use, alongside highlighting where further work is required. Each of the four diet types have associated risks, but also associated potential benefits which should be carefully considered.
Our role as veterinary professionals is not to dictate what pet owners should feed their pet, but to provide support through information and education by becoming a reliable resource a pet owner can trust. Our aim is to support pet owners so that in the full knowledge of the facts they can make informed decisions when they choose a diet to feed their pet. Ultimately some pet owners will continue to wish to feed a diet which is not recommended. The course will therefore examine ways in which safety can be improved and will detail where to find specialist help and reliable information, so support is always given to every pet.
Module 1
Grain Free Diets
- What is a grain free diet?
- Why might owners choose a grain free diet?
- What are the benefits of a grain free diet?
- What are the risks of a grain free diet?
- How can we improve safety and support the owner’s choice?
- Considerations for feeding a pet whilst in the veterinary hospital who receives a grain free diet at home
Module 2
Home Prepared Cooked Diets
- Key nutritional aims
- Complete and balanced
- Palatable
- Digestible
- Not fed in excess
- Safe
- Achievable
- Sustainable
- What is a home prepared cooked diet?
- Why might owners choose a home prepared cooked diet?
- What are the benefits of a home prepared cooked diet?
- What are the risks of a home prepared cooked diet?
- How can we improve safety and support the owner’s choice?
Considerations for feeding a pet whilst in the veterinary hospital who receives a home prepared cooked diet at home - How to make use of online nutritional tools
Module 3
Raw Meat Based Diets
- What is a raw meat based diet?
- Why might owners choose a raw meat based diet?
- What are the benefits of a raw meat based diet?
- What are the risks of a raw meat based diet?
- How can we improve safety and support the owner’s choice?
- Considerations for feeding a pet whilst in the veterinary hospital who receives a raw meat based diet at home
Module 4
Plant Based Diets
- What is a plant based diet?
- Why might owners choose a plant based diet?
- What are the benefits of a plant based diet?
- What are the risks of plant based diet?
- How can we improve safety and support the owner’s choice?
- Considerations for feeding a pet whilst in the veterinary hospital who receives a plant based diet at home
- Sustainability
The course will be available immediately following purchase, with unlimited lifetime access and will provide a total of 8 hours of CPD (UK), or 8 points (Australia and New Zealand).
Release date: Sept 2022
Rachel S –
Really enjoyed the course content, engaging speaker and great info for the rise in alternate feeding we are seeing in practice
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Alice H –
Very useful and thought provoking course
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Nanako H –
Very informative, easy to digest slides
Rated: Introduction / Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Peter G –
Really informative CPD, thank you!
Rated: Introduction / Intermediate / Advanced level
(Newly qualified (<2 years) - UK)
Laura M –
Really interesting topic
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Emma L –
I found this course very well set out and easy to follow. All of the information provided was up to date, relevant and very interesting! There was as little bias as possible which provided a well rounded view on each diet and I have learned a lot from this course which I can apply in practice! Thank you!
Rated: Intermediate level
Abigail K –
Great, very informative
Rated: Introduction / Intermediate level