Our Veterinary Nutrition services include: Nutritional counseling, Commercial diet recommendations, Formulation of balanced home-cooked diet recipes, Nutritional supplement recommendations, Weight loss plans and Specialized nutrition recommendations for hospitalized pets.
A veterinary nutritionist is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN). These specialists have undergone residency training that includes at least two years of clinical work, teaching, research, and study of nutritional biochemistry. Residents are also required to submit case reports, publish scientific research, and pass a written examination in order to achieve board certification by the ACVN. With this intensive training, veterinary nutritionists gain expertise in the nutritional management of both healthy pets and pets with medical conditions.
A veterinary nutritionist partners with pet owners and their primary care veterinarians to create customized nutrition plans for pets. Specialty nutrition services can be helpful for pets with medical conditions including kidney disease, gastrointestinal problems, suspected food allergies, obesity, and especially for pets with multiple health concerns. Consultation with a nutrition specialist is recommended for pet owners who are interested in feeding a home-cooked diet.
Pet owners can work with the nutritionist by completing a diet history form and scheduling an appointment. Prior to the appointment, the nutritionist will review the pet’s diet history and medical records from the pet’s primary care veterinarian. During the appointment, the nutritionist will perform a physical examination, discuss nutritional goals and diet options based on the pet’s medical concerns, and address client questions. After the appointment, the pet owner will receive a customized nutrition plan with recommendations on diets, treats, supplements, monitoring, and follow-up. If desired, the nutritionist can formulate customized, balanced home-cooked diet recipes. A copy of the pet’s nutrition plan will be sent to the pet’s primary care veterinarian.For pet owners who live outside the area or are unable to schedule a direct appointment, the nutritionist can provide a consultation to the pet’s primary care veterinarian based on the pet’s diet history and medical records. In these cases, the primary care veterinarian manages communication with the pet owner. Veterinarian consultations are managed through the nutrition service at VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists.