Description
RACE, SAVC and AVNAT Approved Course
This flexi CPD course is aimed at vet nurses and vet technicians in general practice and is available on-demand with unlimited lifetime access. Each module consists of a tutorial, quiz and further reading articles
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)
8 points (Australia and New Zealand)
8 points (South Africa – SAVC Accreditation Number AC/2293/25)
8 hours of CE credit (American Association of Veterinary State Boards – RACE 20-1293788)
Release date: Sept 2022
Rebecca C –
Very thorough course, lots of good information, very useful.
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Louisa G –
Very clear and a good overview of each module. Gives you a good starting point to understand why owners might want these diets and the risk/benefits of them.
Rated: Introduction level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Helen B –
An excellent course, lots of really good information and addition reading resources/references, really good speaker.
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Hollie A –
great – really enjoyed it
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years- UK)