Training Level: Beginner Level

Training Duration: 5 Days (2 Hours per Day) – Total Duration: 10 Hours

Trainer: Instructor Mustafa Akkaşoğlu

Participant Profile

• Those who are adopting a cat/dog for the first time
• Current cat/dog owners
• Animal welfare advocates and volunteers at animal organizations

Prerequisites

• Basic awareness of animal welfare and willingness to learn
• No prerequisites required to attend this program

Curriculum Topics

Day 1: The Art of Proper Nutrition

• Physiological differences between cats and dogs
• Nutrition and food selection based on life stages (puppy/kitten, adult, senior)
• Advantages and disadvantages of dry/wet food vs homemade meals
• Reading labels: How to identify a "good" pet food?

Day 2: Basic Health and Hygiene

• Routine care and preventive medicine
• Basic hygiene care (eyes, ears, nails, brushing teeth)
• Vaccination schedule and its importance
• Internal/external parasite control and choosing the right products

Day 3: Behavior and Welfare

• Basic needs and environmental enrichment
• Litter training and socialization periods
• Signs of stress and stress management (scratching in cats, barking in dogs)
• Effects of spaying/neutering on health and behavior

Day 4: Most Common Diseases

• Early diagnosis and proper evaluation of clinical signs
• Emergency situations: poisoning, traffic accidents, falls
• Common digestive issues (diarrhea, vomiting) and skin problems
• When to think "Should I consult a vet?"

Day 5: Practical First Aid

• Life-saving basic interventions
• How to handle minor injuries: stopping bleeding, applying bandages

Training Outcomes

• Can create a balanced feeding program appropriate for the cat or dog's life stage
• Can apply routine hygiene and preventive care practices
• Can detect stress or illness signs early in their pets
• Can perform life-saving first aid for minor emergencies like cuts and choking
• Participants who attend 79% or more of the training will receive a university-approved participation certificate