What is a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist?

Nutrition Specialists focus on creating diet plans and treating conditions related to animal nutrition. 

Your pet’s diet plays a large role in their overall health and wellbeing. By ensuring that your pet is receiving proper nutrition, they can have a better chance of avoiding common diseases and living to an older age. A Veterinary Nutritionist is a Board-certified veterinary specialist who has the training and expertise to advise pet owners on all areas of their pet’s nutrition, including their metabolism, balancing their diet and treatment of nutrition-based health conditions, such as obesity or allergies.

What does a Veterinary Nutritionist do?

Board certified Veterinary Nutritionists can often be involved in several different aspects of veterinary nutrition, including conducting research, taking care of patients, consulting with veterinarians and animal owners, and teaching. Veterinary Nutritionists can work in a variety of different environments, including veterinary schools, pet food or drug companies, or private veterinary practices/hospitals.

Pets, similarly to people, have unique and individual needs when it comes to their diets and by visiting a Veterinary Nutritionist, you can learn more about the best diet plan for your pet. Veterinary Nutritionists can also be helpful in determining any allergies or foods that may disrupt your pet’s normal functions and cause prolonged damage to their health. If your pet is diagnosed with a health condition that is derived from their food or nutritional patterns, a nutritionist can help by coming up with a diet plan that can positively impact their symptoms and diagnosis.

What are some conditions that Veterinary Nutritionists treat?

• Urinary stones
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Food allergies
• Obesity
• Eating disorder

When should I see a Veterinary Nutritionist?

You should seek out expertise from a Veterinary Nutritionist if your pet has been diagnosed with one of the health conditions listed above or if you are referred by your primary veterinarian. Even if your pet doesn’t have preexisting health conditions, it is always a good idea to discuss nutrition options with your primary vet and seek advice from a Veterinary Nutritionist, if warranted, to ensure that you help your pet stay as healthy as possible. 

Edited by:
Catherine Lenox, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition)
November, 2022