Cat and Dog Feeding and Petfood Production

The objective of this course is to familiarize students with 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.

The student will be able to formulate complete and balance diets for dogs and cats according to the age and to the life-style of the considered animals. The choice of the ideal diet among the several industrial and home prepared solutions will be determined using critical points acquired during the course. The student will be able to sustain a discussion considering the nutritional and technological aspects of the dietary intervention.
They must also have acquired the knowledge necessary to assess the completeness and correct balance of industrial preparations, as well as the adequacy of the information necessary to allow the owner or breeder to choose the product that best suits the needs of the animals and ensure safety.
It will also be able to identify and explain the criticalities and strengths of the proposed diets, using appropriate terminology. The student must be able to critically and proactively deal with the study of the subject, analyzing the material provided by the teacher, the recommended texts and the official websites. The student must be able, during the frontal and practical lessons, to present the acquired knowledge, using an appropriate terminology, updated and in tune with the other disciplines.