If you’re passionate about domestic cats, whether in a professional or personal capacity, this comprehensive professional development course will teach you everything you need to know, from health concerns to diet, breeding, behaviour management and more.
Domestic Cat Care is an online course that will empower you to explore a new income stream, employment opportunity, or understand and care for your own pets.
In this cat care course, you will learn about primary care of domestic cats – including diet, shelter, grooming and housebreaking – and complex feline care – from understanding digestive and reproductive health, illnesses, emergency medicine and care, problem behaviour and specialised dietary requirements.
You will also learn about breeding and raising kittens, from ethical considerations to genetics and socialisation, and how to establish a business in the feline services industry, including grooming, boarding, retail and manufacturing, therapy cats, pet funerals and more.
On completion of this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of cat care to start a feline business, gain employment in the pet industry or take better care of your pets.
Course Structure
Unit - Domestic Cat Care
Unit 1 – Introduction to Domestic Cat Care
- Basic Feline Needs – Basic Duties of the Cat Owner
- Food and water
- Shelter and Containment
- Health care for sick cat
- Grooming
- Claw trimming
- Bathing
- Travel
- Housebreaking
- Introducing a new cat at home
- Cats with babies and children
- Cats and dogs
- Cat breeds – pedigrees and non-pedigrees
Unit 2 – Feline Biology
- Skin
- Eyes
- Ears
- Nose
- Mouth
- Tongue
- Teeth and Gums
- Digestive system
- Reproductive system
- Female (Queen)
- Male (Tom)
Unit 3 – Breeds
- Domestic cat breeds
- International and national associations
- Long haired breeds
- Persian, Maine Coon and Birman
- Semi-long haired breeds
- Balinese, Ragdoll (Ragamuffin), York Chocolate
- Short haired breeds
- American Shorthair
- Cornish Rex
- Russian Blue
- Siamese
- Sphynx
- Manx
- Scottish Fold
- Japanese Bobtail
- Egyptian Mau
- Singapura
- Characteristics
- Common health problems
- Personality and temperaments
- Care
- History and background
Unit 4 – Feline Health Care
- Preventative care
- Vaccinations
- Recognising ill-health
- Dealing with emergencies
- Artificial breathing and heart massage
- How to induce vomiting
- Specific situations to deal with e.g. burns, wounds, dehydration, hypothermia (and many more)
- Restraining for treatment
- Transportation of the injured cat
- Poisoning
- Wounds
- Shock
- Bandaging
- Desexing
Unit 5 – Feline Illnesses
- Internal parasites (worms)
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Tapeworms
- Whipworms
- Lungworms
- Stomach worms
- Bladder worms
- Flukes
- Worm treatments
- External (exo-)parasites
- Ticks
- Fleas
- Mites
- Flies
- List of common ailments and diseases
- Skin disorders
Unit 6 – Feline Diet
- Introduction to foods and feedings
- Feeding methods
- Free feeding
- Scheduled and portion controlled feeding
- Understanding dietary requirements
- Kittens (0-12 months)
- Pregnant and lactating cats
- Fussy cats
- Obesity and overweight cats
- Underweight cats
- Senior / geriatric cats
- Raw diets
- Toxic foods
Unit 7 – Feline Behaviour
- Understanding the cat’s mind
- Personality and temperament differences
- How cats communicate
- Body language
- Sleeping routines and circadian rhythms
- Play (young cat and mature cat)
- Behavioural problems
- Recognise and understand aggression
- Dealing with aggression
- Inappropriate elimination
- Excessive vocalisation
- Geriatric dysfunction
- Controlling killing wildlife
- Eating disorder
- Abnormal suckling
- Separation anxiety
- Teaching useful behaviours
Unit 8 – Breeding and Raising Kittens (Includes PBL Project)
- Cat breeding industry
- Ethics in animal breeding
- A brief look at genes
- Meiosis
- Legislation
- Sexual behaviour
- Socialisation of kittens
- Problem based learning project – Improving Standards for Ethical Breeding
Unit 9 – Feline Services (Includes PBL Project)
- Grooming services
- Short Haired Cats
- Long Haired cats
- Professional training and handling
- Day care or boarding facilities
- Rehoming and fostering
- Using cats as therapy pets
- Health care industry
- Feline therapy services – hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, massage
- Retail and manufacturing industry
- Pet funerals and memorials
- Business basics for self-employment in the feline industry
- Laws and small business
- The importance of keeping records
- Buying an established business
- Buying a franchise
- Approaches to business planning
- Problem based learning project – Starting a Small Business in the Cat Industry
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Click Enrol Now (Credit Card) or Enrol Now (Internet Banking/BPAY)
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:-
- Cat owners
- Cat breeders
- Pet shop owners
- Pet shop attendants
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