nutritionist

Discuss ways to improve the quality of your dog's life and longevity through proper nutrition and a place for all of your questions and answers about feeding your pooch! Don't furget to check out Dogster's Dog Care Guide Book for information about feeding your dog! Bone Appawtite!

Sassy (In- Memory)

115791

Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 8:21pm PST


	is there any such place to become a certified pet nurtionist?

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Pumpkin Pie

Picky Pumpkin

Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 8:31pm PST


	I don't know about that, but do you happen to know if you can actually be a PET nutritionist or do you have to be specific (Canine Nutritionist/Feline Nutritionist)?

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Valentine

Lucky dog...- Lucky dog....

Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 8:43pm PST


	I've only seen courses online and they're all out of the US so I'm not sure how you'd go about it stateside.

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Vance

Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 8:53pm PST


	There's no such thing. There is no governing body overseeing pet nutrition, therefore one can't be officially certified in it. There are small organizations that offer their own certifications, but they are really only relevant to the organization that gave the certification. For example, a vet can become a Hill's Certified Nutritionist. Here's a course to certify you in vegan nutrition for dogs. Guess how accurate those courses are... Your best bet would be to study on your own and take classes or enter certification programs from unbiased sources. Build up your own credentials and go into business for yourself. Always remember, though, that unless you are a DVM, you could get into BIG trouble involving yourself in medical cases. You should consult a lawyer before taking on clients.

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Panda

Let's go! Let's- drive!- Yeah!!!!!!

Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 9:18pm PST


	Chances are that for pets ( even if it does exist ), it is not regulated by the state. I am a certified, licensed Massage Therapist. I pay my fees and have to abide by the regulations of my state. There are no such rules ( yet ) to make me take classes or educate myself to work on dogs, cats or horses etc. Even though I have no formal education in regards to quadro-peds, I could legally hang a shingle in front of my house and practice canine massage therapy. I am pretty much willing to bet that it is the same for nutrition. This is why you have to be so careful, both as a consumer as well as a potential student ( trade schools can be nothing but a business to the people that run them!). Most vets do not know much about nutrition. Most Doctors don't either, which is why they would send you to a specialist. A lot of breeders are not that interested in making positive contributions to the breed they profit from. This is why you have to take responsibility as the consumer! Do your research! Some of basic nutrition applies to most of us mammals. There is a lot of great literature. Our immune-systems are different, but only slightly. Think about it, medical students practice on animals before they are let loose on the human population. Medical trials start with testing on animals.... Basically, I am trying to encourage you to read about it. Don't underestimate your ability to learn and draw conclusions. Also, you are on dogster.com, so you have the opportunity to bounce your thoughts off thousands of people. Read and follow your gut...

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Sherpa Tanuk- of Everest

Pumpkin King

Barked: Sun Jul 5, '09 12:06pm PST


	I've seen courses on it, and one of my professors specialized in it. No idea otherwise.

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Cherie

I deserve to be- Spoiled!

Barked: Sun Jul 5, '09 10:05pm PST


	There are nutrition courses at Vet schools, and one has to view the offering/schedules at each school considered. I have looked around a year or so ago but had not pursued it further than initial inquiry.

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Babee

So HAPPY to meet- you!

Barked: Mon Jul 6, '09 10:42am PST


	When choosing "nutritional courses", it's always a good idea to "consider the source". Just as a "for instance": I took a creative writing class during college that was to apply to my minor. The "Professor" was a guest writer who happened to be extremely active with a group of animal activists involved in saving endangered species. I had no problem with this, EXCEPT that she then incorporated it so heavily into her curriculum, that she wouldn't allow her students to write about any other subject. EVERY assignment had to incorporate some element regarding animals that were in danger of extinction. This was not an appropriate or balanced approach to "creative writing". Most nutritional sources offered at vet. schools are subsidized/funded by Hills or R.C.. Often the courses are taught by representatives of these giant commercial pet food companies. Bet you can guess what the curriculum will be like.... Edited by author Mon Jul 6, '09 10:49am PST

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Zeus

The perfect- gentleman.

Barked: Mon Jul 6, '09 4:38pm PST


	I am a Veterinary Nutritional Advocate certified though Hill's Pet Nutrition. I got bored one day at work - and decided to take the course - and took me around eight or ten hours straight to finish it. Unfortunately, about half of the course wasn't even nutrition related - but rather focused on marketing and sales. So - as the other posters said - and with most everything - take what you do find out there with a grain of salt.

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nutritionist