Just as in the world of humans, where we distinguish between doctors and dietitians, in the world of animals we have veterinarians and pet nutritionists.
Who is a pet nutritionist?
A pet nutritionist, or zoodietician, is someone who professionally deals with the nutrition of dogs and cats. The main goal of an animal dietitian should be to build awareness of proper animal nutrition among dog and cat owners. A zoodietician also provides advice on establishing the right, ideally tailored diet for the animal and any conditions it may have.
The profession of animal dietitian is not yet legally sanctioned in Poland, which can make it challenging to choose the right specialist. It is important to pay attention to the principles followed by a particular zoodietician and their education background. My path to gaining knowledge in this area, apart from continuous self-improvement, included completing a 5-year full-time study in zootechnics with a specialization in animal nutrition.
Both a dog dietitian and a cat dietitian should collaborate closely with other professionals in the field, such as veterinarians, veterinary technicians, behaviorists, and zoophysiotherapists. In my practice, I adhere to this principle and surround myself with people whom I can consult with at any time to ensure that my diets are as comprehensive as possible.
When is it worth consulting a zoodietician?
There’s always a good time to use such a consultation. If you have doubts about whether you are feeding your pet properly and healthily, and whether you are providing all the necessary nutrients, now is the right time to seek a consultation. Another scenario is when you have a sick dog or cat, for example with pancreatic, liver, kidney, diabetes, allergy, intolerance, or obesity issues, where the right diet plays a crucial role in treatment.
However, it’s important to remember that diet is a long-term process that affects the body over time. Therefore, it’s worthwhile to take care of it from the earliest years of your pet’s life. A healthy and proper diet from the very beginning effectively prolongs the lifespan of your dog or cat, improves their quality of life, and enhances resistance to many diseases and conditions. The motto I follow is “Prevention is better than cure.”
What does my nutritional consultation include?
- Health and nutrition interview
- Discussing your pet’s problems and proposing solutions
- Choosing the best nutritional solution
- Assessment of the animal’s figure on the BCS scale
- Discussion of blood results from a nutritional perspective
- Presentation of nutritional recommendations
- Presentation and discussion of the nutritional strategy
- Answers to troubling questions
- Possibility of taking advantage of comprehensive nutritional care, where I help you step by step in introducing a new diet for your pet
As an animal dietitian, I know that a proper diet is excellent prevention against many diseases, as well as support during treatment itself. I conduct nutritional consultations for both healthy dogs and cats and those with various conditions such as diabetes, kidney issues, liver problems, pancreatic issues, intestinal issues, obesity, tumors, digestive issues, thyroid issues, bone-joint issues, allergies, intolerances, and urinary system problems. I provide consultations for young, adult, and elderly animals.
Would you like to schedule an online nutritional consultation? Send message to [email protected]