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Feline Nutrition Certificate (Cert.FN)

The Certificate in Feline Nutrition (Cert.FN) program is a solid science-based foundational exploration of nutrients, life-stage nutrition, digestive anatomy, and other topics related to this area of study. This program provides the solid foundation of knowledge necessary to understand feline nutrition. This program of study is not cursory and basic; we have designed this program of study to be more comprehensive and advanced than any other program available for personal interest. This program of study would be of interest to anyone wanting to gain a solid understanding of feline nutrition and possibly prepare themselves for an advanced program of study in the future. While this program does not include coursework in consulting skills, professional ethics, or business practices, it is comprehensive with regard to topics in nutrition science.

 

The optional Graduate Workshop in formulating diets is open only to Graduates of the Feline Nutrition program. This Workshop includes an Excel spreadsheet for formulating diets, instructional videos that explain how to use it, and personal instruction. This workshop uses a Facebook page for answering questions and brainstorming. Upon completion, a Certificate will be awarded. This is an extremely valuable resource! NEW

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This program is based on written assignments. Students can expect to do a lot of studying and writing in this program, exploring the various topics in-depth. 

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This program requires approximately 200 - 250 hours of assignment preparation, reading, and study time.

The graduate would be awarded a Feline Nutrition Certificate (Cert.FN).

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Tuition (Tuition can be paid on the ENROLL​ page)

 

$999.00 Canadian Dollars. (Currency converter. This provides only an estimate) Tuition is in Canadian funds.

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Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • Energetics: GE, DE, ME, NE, RER, RMR; Value of protein; Energy balance

  • Nutrient classes

  • Carbohydrates, (definitions, classifications, functions, requirements, etc)

  • Protein, (definitions, classifications, functions, requirements, etc)

  • Fats, (definitions, classifications, functions, requirements, etc)

  • Minerals, introduction, function, required, toxic, interactions

  • Macro minerals

  • Trace minerals

  • Vitamins, general, classifications, interactions, functions, requirements, deficiencies, etc.

  • Water, function, requirements

  • Digestion, anatomy, physiology, enzymes, hormones, absorption, etc.

  • Life stage nutrition, pregnancy, lactation, weaning, kittens, adults, geriatrics

  • Nutrient content of commercial cat foods

  • Aflotoxins and endotoxins

  • Marketing concepts

  • Chemical vs. natural preservatives

  • Elements of a home-cooked diet

  • Cooking proteins and carbohydrates

  • Supplementing and serving

  • Reasons for using home-prepared diets

  • Commercial raw diets and mixes

  • Components of a raw diet

  • Safety of feeding raw foods

 

Program Package Includes:

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  • Coursework document including assignments and handouts

  • Student Handbook

  • Formulating Diets spreadsheet with instructional videos for graduates NEW

 

Courses (Scroll down for course details):

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  • General Feline Nutrition - 501

  • Macronutrients - 502

  • Micronutrients - 503

  • Feline Digestion - 504

  • Feline Life Stage Nutrition - 505

  • Introduction to Feline Diets - 506

  • Optional: Graduate Workshop in Formulating Diets NEW

 

Entrance Requirements:

 

Entrance into this program requires that you have completed a high school diploma program or equivalent (exceptions can be made) and that you be at least 18 years of age. We recommend, but do not require, that students have a high school senior-level science or biology course as preparation. Personal interest program of study.

 

Schedule:

 

This program is self-paced within a 1-year time limit starting from the enrollment date. Enroll and get started any time you want from anywhere in the world.

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Course Descriptions:

 

General Feline Nutrition - 501

Instructor: Susan Barker, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This foundational course will examine some of the general information needed to start understanding the field of feine nutrition. This information will prepare the student for more in-depth studies in the field of nutritional sciences and will prepare the student for follow-up courses. The course explores definitions, calculations, and some of the basics concerning nutrients. This course is evaluated by way of written assignments.

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • the terminology used when describing different types of energy

  • the terminology used when discussing metabolic rates

  • energy balance

  • calculations needed to determine how much food a cat should eat

  • what is meant by "complete and balanced" in reference to cat foods

  • basic information concerning nutrients

 

Required Resources:

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  • Lecture notes: Provided.

 

Macronutrients - 502

Instructor: Susan Barker, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course is an extensive investigation into 3 of the 6 nutrient classes.

Section one explores carbohydrates. It addresses the purposes and digestibility of carbohydrates, as well as how carbohydrates are utilized by the feline body. 

Section two explores protein sources and amino acids. The student will examine the purposes of protein, factors that affect protein requirements, and the effects of deficiencies and excesses.

Section three examines lipids. This section will explore the differences between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, the source and function of fats, and also why some fats are considered essential while others are not.

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • classifications and functions of carbohydrates

  • necessity of carbohydrates

  • simple carbohydrates, starches and fibers

  • digestibility and metabolism of carbohydrates

  • amino acids

  • requirements and digestibility of proteins

  • protein complementation

  • classifications and functions of lipids

  • essential fatty acids

  • Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids

 

Required Resources:

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  • Lecture notes: Provided

 

Micronutrients - 503

Instructor: Susan Barker, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course is an extensive investigation into the non-energy yielding nutrients.

Section one explores minerals. It looks at the functions of minerals, the interactions of minerals, and sources of where those minerals can be found. 

Section two explores vitamins. The student will examine the functions of some of the vitamins, sources for those vitamins, and the effects of deficiencies and excesses. 

Section three looks at the importance of water. Why is water so important, how a cat loses water, and are all waters equal in their nutritional value?

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • functions and availability of minerals

  • macrominerals, microminerals, and trace minerals

  • differences between minerals and vitamins

  • characteristics of vitamins

  • differences between vitamins and vitamin-like substances

  • functions of water

  • factors that affect water requirements

 

Required Resources:

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  • Lecture notes: Provided

 

Feline Digestion - 504

Instructor: Susan Barker, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course is an extensive, foundational examination of the feline digestive system. It explores all the major structures and organs involved in digestion while keeping terminology as simple to understand as possible. It starts by examining the feline mouth and dentition and works its way through the stomach and intestines. This course contains important information in how cats ingest ingredients and digest their constituent nutrients and then how those nutrients are absorbed by the body.

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • functions of saliva

  • major structures involved in digestion

  • enzymes

  • functions of the stomach

  • factors affecting gastric emptying

  • functions of the small intestine

  • pancreas, liver and gall bladder participation in digestion

  • absorption of nutrients

  • function of large intestine

 

Required Resources:

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  • Lecture notes: Provided

 

Feline Life Stage Nutrition - 505

Instructor: Susan Barker, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course provides an examination of the cat's nutrient requirements and how they change throughout their life. From neonate nutrition through gestation through geriatric requirements, this course will cover nutrition for the expectant mother, dealing nutritionally with orphaned kittnes, adult maintenance, and nutritional requirements as cats enter their golden years. This course is evaluated by way of assignments.

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • types of feeding regimes

  • caloric requirements

  • nutrition during the stages of gestation

  • nutritional requirements during lactation

  • weaning

  • geriatric nutrition requirements

  • nutritionally related changes in the aging pet

 

Required Resources:

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  • Lecture notes: Provided

 

Introduction to Feline Diets 506

Instructor: Susan Barker, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course provides a foundational examination of the types of diets available for cats almost everywhere. It does not focus on brands because not every brand is available around the world and not all brands are consistent from country to country. Instead, this course will explain ingredients and additives in dry foods and help the student understand home-prepared diets. All diets are examined objectively including both the pros and cons of each type. This course is evaluated by way of assignments.

Part one of 506 explores commercial diets. This section delves into the safety of commercial foods, AAFCO vs NRC, marketing concepts, and ingredients commonly used.

Part two of 506 explores home-cooked diets. It discusses the major elements of this type of diet as well as what supplements might be added and safe food handling practices.

Part three of 506 explores raw diets. This section discusses the advantages and disadvantages of a raw diet. It also talks about how to put a raw diet together and the safety of feeding raw foods.

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Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

​

  • nutrient content of commercial cat foods

  • aflotoxins and endotoxins

  • marketing concepts

  • chemical vs. natural preservatives

  • elements of a home-cooked diet

  • cooking proteins and carbohydrates

  • if carbohydrates should be used

  • supplementing and serving

  • reasons for using home-prepared diets

  • commercial raw diets and mixes

  • components of a raw diet

  • safety of feeding raw foods

 

Required Resources:

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  • Lecture notes: provided

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Optional Graduate Workshop is open only to Graduates of the Feline Nutrition program. This Workshop includes an Excel spreadsheet for formulating diets along with instructional videos that explain how to use it as well as personal instruction. This workshop uses a Facebook page for answering questions and brainstorming. Upon completion, a Certificate will be awarded.

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