1. Welcome to small animal care

• Introduction
• Course outline
• What you will learn
• Why you need this course
• Getting the most out of this course

2. History

• Domestication
• Use of animals as a source of power
• Guardians, hunters and companions
• Classification of animals
• Types of common pets

3. Breeds and breeding – Part 1

• Classifying dog breeds
• Five of the most popular breeds of dogs
• Common breeds of cats

4. Breeds and breeding – Part 2

• Pocket pets
• Things that creep and crawl
• On the wing
• Let’s talk about breeding
• What is responsible breeding?
• Registration

5. Animal behaviour

• Instinctive versus learned behaviours
• Communication
• Importance of socialisation
• Behavioural problems
• Methods of corrective training

6. Anatomy and physiology

• Cells, tissues and organs
• Muscle and skeleton
• Growth, development and the endocrine system
• Digestive and urinary systems
• Circulatory and respiratory systems
• Nervous system
• Reproductive system
• A vital balance
• Additional considerations

7. Animal diseases and treatments

• Common skin problems
• Intestinal problems
• Heart diseases
• Common dentistry problems
• Vaccination schedules

8. Health and hygiene – Part 1

• Bathing
• Grooming

9. Health and hygiene – Part 2

• Preventative health
• How to clean an animal’s bed/living areas
• Dealing with pests and parasites

10. The importance of exercise for small animals

• Benefits of exercise
• Exercise deprivation
• Animal obesity
• Types of exercise
• Establishing a workout regime
• Exercise safety

11. Nutrition – Part 1

• Choosing the right food
• Determining food ingredients/feed labels
• Determining the correct amount/feeding schedules

12. Nutrition – Part 2

• Dietary supplements
• Treats

13. Small animal first aid

• How to recognise an animal emergency
• Dealing with an injured animal
• Administering medication
• Building an animal first-aid kit
• Treating non-life threatening injuries

14. Safety

• Correct handling methods
• Typical restraints
• Vehicle safety
• Micro-chips and other ID methods
• Pet proofing
• Emergency ID cards

15. Pets

• How to choose the correct pet
• Lifestyle questions
• How to choose a child’s pet
• Therapeutic value
• Living with a new pet

16. Animal welfare

• The Animal Rights Movement
• The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Animal rescue organisations
• Staying informed on changing welfare policies
• Who needs to be licensed or registered?
• What you can do

17. Animal care careers

• Know yourself
• Exploring careers
• Veterinary care
• Veterinary care jobs
• Customer service
• Creative expression
• Entrepreneurship
• Getting ready to work
• Starting your own business
• Applying for a job
• Going for an interview
• Starting work

18. Reception

• Customer service is the name of the game
• Dealing with a distraught/angry client
• Where and how to market animal businesses
• Efficiency handling files and paperwork
• Staying professional under stress
• How to dress