Cat and Dog Feeding and Petfood Production

The aim of the course of Dog and Cat feeding and Petfood Production is developing knowledge and understanding regarding the companion animal nutrition and petfood industry. This will include the understanding of dog and cat nutrition and its practical application in their feeding. Petfood technology will be discussed in how they are processed and are designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of companion animals and quality and safety assurance, through the selection of ingredients based on quality and sustainability including nutraceuticals and novel foods, dry and wet petfood formulation, production processes, evaluation of palatability, correct information for owners and breeders.

1. Knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course the student must be able to formulate an appropriate diet for dogs and cats in the different stages of life, choosing with a critical spirit the most appropriate diet for the conditions and lifestyle of the animal to which it is destined. It must also be able to develop an industrial feed for dogs and cats created according to the specific needs of the species.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding. the student will have to demonstrate that they possess knowledge and concepts useful for evaluating the nutritional adequacy of industrial preparations, as well as the completeness of the information necessary to allow the owner or breeder to choose the product best suited to the needs of the animals and guarantee the safety and quality.
3. Making judgement. The student must demonstrate the ability to critically argue the information acquired. In this sense, educational trips to companies operating in the pet food sector, in-depth seminars and group work with discussion of case studies relating to specific problems related to dog and cat nutrition are aimed.
4. Communication. The student must demonstrate the ability to express himself with scientifically appropriate terminology, regarding the terminology referring to identifying and explaining the critical issues and strengths of the proposed dietary regimes. The student must be able to critically and proactively approach the study of the subject, analyzing the material provided by the teacher, the recommended texts and official websites. The student must be able, during frontal and practical lessons, to explain the knowledge acquired, using appropriate terminology, updated and in harmony with other disciplines.
5. Lifelong learning skills. The student will have to demonstrate that he/she possesses knowledge in terms of notions and methodologies and the reasoning skills acquired during the course will allow the student to continue his/her study independently by deepening and updating his/her knowledge in the field of dog and cat nutrition to formulate appropriate diets and develop feed for pets according to current regulations.