As an individual who simultaneously cares for both cats and dogs, I have gained a wealth of knowledge regarding pet nutrition and health through this course, which has altered some of my long-held perceptions. Every year, I conduct health check-ups for my pets, and it was only last year, during a visit to the veterinary clinic, that the doctor suggested the option of a senior health package for pets over the age of seven. This prompted a sense of urgency within me to consider methods to extend their lifespan. While browsing online, I discovered numerous resources about fresh food feeding. I was eager to explore making fresh meals for my pets; however, I found that much of the information available online lacked comprehensiveness and often appeared mixed with unreliable content. My understanding of fresh food and pet nutrition was minimal, and I was hesitant to experiment with meal preparation without proper guidance, which led me to enroll in this course.
Upon completing this course, I realized that many of the insights I previously held were rather superficial. Compared to some friends and colleagues, I have a heightened level of awareness and concern regarding pet feeding; they often seek my advice on related matters. However, this course opened my eyes to the fact that the knowledge I possessed was merely superficial and basic. I had primarily opted for well-reviewed commercial cat and dog food brands without delving deeply into their ingredient lists, mistakenly believing that avoiding human food constituted scientific pet care. Through this course, I became aware of several critical issues I had overlooked, such as drinking habits, bowel movements, and nutrient absorption. Since my pets underwent regular health check-ups and had not exhibited significant health issues, I had never paid attention to these aspects over the past eight years. The course highlighted the connection between the recurring seasonal skin conditions and ear inflammation in my dog and their nutritional intake, an insight I had never considered before and that had not been mentioned by the veterinarian. I had always attributed these issues to humidity. Furthermore, I discovered that the imported dog food I had been feeding, while reasonably priced and well-reviewed online, did not offer optimal digestion and absorption for my dog, indicating a lack of essential nutrients. Additionally, in addressing their psychological health, I had believed that by simply keeping my small dog active at home, I could forgo walks, thereby neglecting the dog's need for social interaction.
I particularly appreciated some of the case studies presented during the course, one of the most memorable being the initial discussion about the addition of melamine in infant formula, which was initially utilized to increase the protein content in pet dry food. Pet food safety has always been a concerning issue for me, and I frequently worry about the quality of the food I provide. This example profoundly underscored the importance of being vigilant about pet food safety; neglecting this issue now may lead to the application of such 'tricks' to human food in the future, resulting in more serious consequences. I also found the cases of improved health through fresh food feeding to be very meaningful, and I hope to see more such examples. Overall, I found the course well-structured, especially benefiting from the section on checklists.
In summary, this course has been extremely beneficial, and I express my sincere gratitude to the Hong Kong Society for Pet Nutrition . I hope to utilize the knowledge I have acquired to assist more pet-owning families, sharing and promoting correct and healthy pet-raising practices.
