MARS Petcare College is a training program for people who work in the pet industry. Successful completion of the MARS Petcare College program earns:
- Veterinary Nurses: 10 AVNAT CPD points
- PIAA Members: 10 PIAA Ed points
There are also a range of other short courses on offer, new ones are added regularly. Happy learning!
Download the USER GUIDE(open in new tab)
COURSE OUTLINE:
SHORT COURSES
There are a few stand-alone, short courses that can be completed, these include:
- ADVANCE™ Puppy School Program
- Product Trainings including ADVANCE™, GREENIES™, IAMS™ & NUTRO™
- Benefits of feeding wet food and mixed feeding
- Bird Care
MODULE ONE: NUTRITION ESSENTIALS
SECTION 1: Understanding Energy
- The energy requirements of dogs and cats
- How the energy content of the diet is derived
- The concept of energy balance
- How to body condition score dogs and cats
SECTION 2: Protein & Amino Acids
- The functions of protein within the body
- Essential amino acids for dogs and cats
- How protein quality is determined
- The roles of some specific amino acids within the body
SECTION 3: Other Classes of Nutrients
The functions of the following nutrients within the body:
- fat
- carbohydrate
- vitamins
- minerals
- water
SECTION 4: The Difference Between Cats & Dogs
- Origins of the domestic dog and cat
- A review of dog and cat breeds
- Instinctive feeding behaviour of dogs and cats
- The feeding frequency of dogs and cats
- The unique nutritional requirements of the cat,compared to the dog
MODULE TWO: FEEDING DOGS & CATS
SECTION 1: Practical Feeding
- How feeding guides are calculated
- Responsible treating of dogs and cats
- Healthy weight maintenance of dogs and cats
- Why dietary upsets occur and suggested ways to manage them
- How to transition a pet to a new food
SECTION 2: Lifestage Nutrition for Canine Repro & Growth
- Feeding the bitch for pregnancy and lactation
- Nutritional considerations for weaning
- Growth rates of puppies
- Feeding puppies for optimal growth
- Developmental stages of puppies
SECTION 3:Lifestage Nutrition for Adult & Senior Dogs
- Nutritional requirements of adult maintenance
- Nutritional requirements of senior dogs
SECTION 4: Lifestage Nutrition for Cats
- Nutritional equirements of adult maintenance
- Considerations for indoor cats
- Feeding the queen for pregnancy and lactation
- Weaning kittens
- Feeding kittens for optimal growth
- Nutritional requirements of senior cats
SECTION 5: Understanding Labels
- Ingredient selection
- Pet food regulatory agencies
- The Australian Standard AS5812
- How to interpret pet food labels
- Additives used in pet foods
- How to compare nutrients in pet foods
SECTION 6:Manufacturing Prepared Petfood
- The role of WALTHAM
- Some important WALTHAM milestones
- WALTHAM Caring Science
- MARS Petcare manufacturing sites
- How pet food is made
- An overview of the nutritional testing process
MODULE THREE: FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION
SECTION 1: Skin & Coat Health
- The functions of the skin
- The signs of a healthy and unhealthy skin and coat
- The three most common allergic skin diseases
- Nutrients for optimal skin and coat health
- Barrier function research programme
SECTION 2: Gastrointestinal Health
- Overview of digestive anatomy and digestion
- Dietary fibre
- WALTHAM faeces grading chart
- Diarrhoea in the dog
- Benefits of colostrum
- Why hairballs occur and how to prevent them
SECTION 3: Joint Health
- Structure of synovial joints
- Osteoarthritis overview
- Dietary nutrients to enhance joint health
SECTION 4: Dental Health
- Periodontal disease overview
- Dental care strategies
- How dental care dietary products work
SECTION 5: Immune System Health
- Free radicals and oxidative damage
- Role of dietary antioxidants
- How nutrition can benefit immune system health
SECTION 6: Urinary Tract, Heart & Cognitive Health
- Anatomy of the urinary system
- Lower urinary tract disease in dogs and cats
- How diet can help maintain lower urinary tract health
- Dietary nutrients for heart health
- Dietary nutrients for cognitive health
MODULE 4: POSITIVE PET OWNERSHIP
SECTION 1: Human-Animal Interactions
- Historic evidence of pet keeping
- How pets assist with healthy child development
- How pets can promote physical and mental wellbeing
- How pets can benefit the community
- Animals in therapeutic contexts
SECTION 2: Puppy & Kitten Care Basics
- Basics of puppy care
- Basics of kitten care
SECTION 3: Australian Pet Population
- MARS Petcare pet population and demographic research
- The current Australian dog and cat profile
- Australian dog and cat population by state
- Pet type by Australian household
- Pet ownership internationally
SECTION 4: Pet Friendly Cities
- Australian pet population trends
- The key attributes that make a place pet friendly
- Pet Friendly City Score
- How areas of Australia rate for pet friendliness
