How to Become a Canine Nutritionist

Canine nutrition is a growing field in the U.S. Many people who are not veterinarians, work under the title of canine nutrition consultant. Their training and expertise varies as there are no regulations. Some have taken many courses in nutrition. Others may have attended programs such as the Animal Behavior College, a private vocational school in California that offers an Animal Care Specialist Program with a nutrition specialty. However, a veterinary nutritionist requires a degree in veterinary medicine and additional training in nutrition.

Instructions

Veterinary Nutritionist

1

Obtain a bachelor degree in a science related field such as biology, animal science or pre-veterinary program. CollegBoard has a search program for colleges by majors at collegeboard.com. Choose pre-veterinary as your major to find a list of colleges. If you already have a bachelor degree that is not in a science or biology area, you may have to take several science, biology and mathematics courses to gain acceptance into a veterinary school. Volunteering or working at a veterinary hospital will also help you to get admitted. Good grades are essential for most admissions.

2

Contact the American College of Veterinary Nutrition at acvn.org for information on veterinary schools that have specialties in canine and small animal nutrition. ACVN establishes requirements for veterinary nutrition certification. Some options include the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton, Massachusetts, which has a two-year residency in small animal nutrition with a possible master's degree program, and Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, which has a one-year internship with a specialty in nutrition.

3

Admission to a veterinary school is very competitive, so apply to several schools. Once you are accepted to a program, visit the ACVN site to plan your application for a residency program. Most veterinary schools require you to complete at least one year before beginning the nutrition residency program. Completion of the program and passing the exams gives you an ACVN certification, demonstrating that you have specialty training in nutrition in addition to your regular veterinary degree.

4

Determine what area of nutrition you want to work in. Although a growing number of large veterinary hospitals seek veterinarians with nutrition training, traditionally canine nutritionists have worked in research in the private dog food sectors, including Hill Science Diet, Pedigree and Waltham. Some canine nutritionists have formed canine nutrition consultation companies or turned to universities for teaching or research positions.