Nutrition for Clinical Support Staff

Develop a foundational understanding of small animal nutrition, from the building blocks of a complete diet to the unique dietary needs of rabbits and guinea pigs.

  • Receptionist, PCA

  • 0.5 hour

      Overview

      Nutrition is a frequent topic of conversation on the front desk, and providing accurate information is essential for patient health. This course is designed to help receptionists, non-clinical staff, and those in support roles feel confident when addressing client queries. You will explore the essential components of a complete diet, the roles of different nutrients, and how nutritional requirements change throughout an animal’s life stages. The training also introduces the specific digestive systems of small herbivores, highlighting how rabbit and guinea pig nutrition differs significantly from that of cats and dogs. By understanding these contrasts, you will be able to provide professional guidance on food types, diets, and packaging to ensure every pet receives the correct fuel for a healthy life.

      Intended learning outcomes

      By the end of this course, you should be able to:
      • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of nutrition
      • Describe a complete diet including the various components and their roles
      • Recognise different types of food, diets and packaging
      • Identify the contrasts in rabbit and guinea pig digestion and how this affects their nutritional requirements
      “I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.”
      HERMANN HESSE, SIDDHARTHA