Everything You Need to Know About Animal Nutritionists

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected a 6% growth in animal scientist jobs from 2019 to 2029 (which also includes animal nutritionist positions). This indicates a growing demand for animal and pet nutritionists in today’s modern world. 

The statistics also provide clear evidence that the field will continue to thrive as one of the most successful veterinary careers in the coming years. 

To become a successful vet nutritionist, you need to have a four-year degree, certain skills, and Continuing Education (CE) credits to show off. This blog will cover everything about these specialists. From the animal nutritionist education requirements to their skill set and from salaries to the licensing requirement (if any), we will cover many points below. 

What Is an Animal Nutritionist?  

A Veterinary nutritionist is an animal dietician who specializes in drafting healthy diet plans for pets and captive animals. They also ensure that animals receive the right amount of nutrients, including minerals, vitamins, proteins, etc. They assess the animal’s health, health history, breed, and other factors to ensure their nutritional requirements are met effectively.

These specialists typically work as diet consultants in clinics, hospitals, and research bureaus. They might also work alongside veterinary surgeons and other specialists to provide diet plans to patients kept in zoos or research laboratories. 

What Do Animal Nutritionists Do? 

Depending on their work environment, veterinary nutritionists are responsible for performing a wide range of duties, including: 

• Crafting nutritional plans for different types of animals. 
• Researching veterinary nutrition areas in research labs.  
• Offering insightful guidelines on the production of poultry food. 
• Assessing animal’s eating habits and their effects on animals. 
• Testing the nutritional value of pet food, animal supplements, etc. 
• Teach pet parents, farmers, and animal keepers how to improve their animal diet. 

How to Become an Animal Nutritionist? 

To become an animal nutrition, the candidates have to go through different steps, including the following: 

Step 1: Get A Bachelor’s Degree 

To headstart your career as a veterinary nutritionist, you’ll require a bachelor’s degree in animal nutrition or relevant fields (like biology, animal sciences, zoology, animal science and behavior, husbandry, etc.) 

This undergraduate degree will equip you with theoretical and practical knowledge of the field with the following or related courses: 

• Molecular Nutrition 
• Ruminant Nutrition 
• Non-Ruminant Nutrition
• Population and Quantitative Genetics 
• Principles and Practices of Animal Nutrition 
• Feed Industry Business and Case Studies

When getting admission to an undergraduate animal nutritionist program, checking their accreditations with national or international organizations is important. 

Your chosen institute should be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or other organizations. 

These accreditations ensure the highest standards of animal education. 

Step 2: Gain Practical Experience 

Practical experience is the key to a successful animal nutritionist career. Many organizations prefer experienced candidates. 

You can enroll in internships or other related programs during your undergraduate degree to gain experience. 

Once you’ve your bachelor’s degree, you can work in clinics, hospitals, or zoos for entry-level positions like: 

• Nutrition Assistant: Work under the supervision of broad-certified nutritionists and assist them with nutritional counseling and meal planning. 
• Food Service Worker: Gain practical experience in food safety and preparation. 
• Wellness Coordinator: Incorporate nutritional education in different programs and organize relevant events. 
• Research Assistant: Conduct research, collect data, and analyze results related to animal nutritional topics. 

Step 3: Consider Post Graduate or Advanced Programs 

To upgrade the veterinary professional profile, candidates can enroll in a higher degree program, such as: 

• Master of Science (MS) in Animal Nutrition 
• Master of Science (MS) in Biochemistry 
• Master of Science (MS) in Microbiology 
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with a focus on Nutrition 

While advanced degrees aren’t requirements for becoming an animal nutritionist, they can boost your veterinary profile and help you get higher positions in the field. 

Step 4: Obtain Certifications 

Certifications enhance your credibility as an animal nutritionist.

Depending on the field you’d like to work in and the employer’s requirements, candidates can get different certifications to enhance their skills and veterinary practices. 

Here are some certifications that animal nutritionists can get: 

• Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) 
• Certification from Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians (AVNT)
• Certifications offered by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACNV) 

Step 5: Earn Continuing Education (CE) Credits 

CE credits are a testament to veterinary nutritionists’ continuous learning commitment. They are awarded to candidates demonstrating their dedication to staying abreast of trends. 

The required number of credits depends on the field and position. For example, the requirements of CE credits for board-certified and licensed nutritionists might be higher than those for assistants working under licensed veterinarians. 

One of the best ways to get CE credits is to attend RACE-approved webinars and Expos. 

These events cover various topics supervised by certified veterinarians, helping candidates enhance their knowledge and skills.

You can also register for online animal nutrition courses.  

What Skills Are Required to Become a Successful Animal Nutritionist? 

Apart from relevant veterinary skills, animal nutritionists also need to have certain skills to ensure smooth operations and effectively perform their roles, such as: 

• Mathematical 
• Critical thinking 
• Problem-solving 
• Business and time management
• Interpersonal communication 

What’s the Average Salary of a Veterinary Nutritionist? 

The salary range depends on the nutritionist’s educational background, professional achievements (including CE credits), certifications, previous experience, and location. 

Here is an overview of their animal nutritionist salary range in different parts of the USA: 

It’s important to note that the above-average salaries are approximations. 

They might change with the passage of time or the candidate's experience. 

Final Words! 

Animal nutrition is a successful field with a high earning potential. 

With relevant degrees, recognized certifications, and CE credits, you can set up a lucrative career as a veterinary nutritionist. 

Join Vet and Tech to attend RACE-approved webinars and earn free CE credits. We offer a diverse range of educational resources and conduct insightful webinars that licensed veterinarians supervise. 

FAQs 

How much does a dog nutritionist cost?

Depending on the dog nutritionist’s experience or location, you can expect to pay $80-$150 per appointment. 

How can veterinary nutritionists get free CE credits? 

Attending free CE webinars offered by renowned and well-recognized organizations (like VetandTech) can help you earn free CE credits. We conduct RACE-approved webinars that are led by top experts in the field