ANIMAL DIETITIAN & VETERINARY NUTRITIONIST: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE ANIMAL NUTRITION PROFESSIONALS?
At a time when nutrition is becoming the primary pillar of the health of our dogs, cats, horses, and other pets, it can sometimes be difficult to navigate the world of animal nutrition experts.
In 2026, new job titles emerged. So, for the health of your pets or equines, should you consult an animal dietitian or a veterinary nutritionist?
ServicesPourAnimaux provides an overview to help you choose the right professional for your needs.
The veterinary nutritionist: The expert in pathology
A veterinary nutritionist is first and foremost a doctor for animals. After completing their veterinary medicine studies, they pursue a specialization (often a CES or DE) in animal nutrition.
_ Their scope of practice: They are the only professionals authorized to prescribe therapeutic diets for animals. If your pet suffers from a medical condition (kidney failure, diabetes, urinary stones, severe allergies), only they can design a homemade diet or a commercial diet tailored to its specific needs.
_ The added benefit: The veterinary nutritionist combines their medical diagnosis with cutting-edge nutritional expertise.
The animal dietitian or animal nutrition consultant
Your everyday ally. The animal dietitian, also known as an animal nutrition consultant, is an expert in balanced nutrition for healthy animals. Often trained through certified programs or with an engineering degree in agronomy, they support pet owners in optimizing animal welfare.
_ Their scope of practice: They work on growth, maintaining a healthy weight, or transitioning to a more natural diet such as BARF or Raw Feeding. The animal dietician excels in analyzing kibble labels and calculating rations for sporting animals or pregnant females.
_ The best part: A highly personalized approach and regular follow-up to prevent obesity.
Why consult an animal dietitian or veterinary nutritionist on Services Pour Animaux?
Whether you're looking for an equine nutritionist for your sport horse, a feline nutrition expert for your picky cat, or a canine nutrition consultant, our free professional directory lists only certified professionals. A suitable diet helps reduce veterinary visits, improve coat shine, and extend your pets' lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Animal Nutrition and Animal Dietetics
1. What is the price of a consultation with an animal nutritionist?
The price of a nutritional assessment for animals generally ranges from approximately €50 to €120. This depends on the complexity of the case (healthy or sick animal) and the type of support required (monitoring over several months or a one-time ration calculation). On ServicesPourAnimaux, you can contact and compare rates from professionals near you.
2. Can I consult a pet dietitian online (video call) or remotely?
Yes, most canine and feline nutrition consultants offer remote nutritional consultations for animals. Calculating a homemade diet is easily done through a detailed questionnaire and by sending photos or videos of your pet. It's a practical and often faster solution.
3. What is the difference between a BARF diet and a homemade diet?
A homemade diet consists of cooked foods (meat, starches, vegetables, supplements), while the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet is based on a raw diet that respects the ancestral diet of carnivores. A pet nutrition expert will help you balance these two types of diets to avoid serious deficiencies.
4. Can an animal nutritionist help me choose the best kibble or wet food?
Absolutely. An animal nutritionist has the tools to decipher labels, calculate carbohydrate levels (often hidden), and verify protein quality. They will guide you toward the brands best suited to your animal's metabolism, without any conflict of interest.
5. Why consult a nutritionist for a horse?
An equine nutritionist helps balance forage and concentrate intake according to the horse's activity level (leisure, sport, breeding). Their role is crucial in preventing colic, gastric ulcers, or growth problems in foals.
6. Is my veterinarian necessarily an animal nutritionist?
All veterinarians have a solid foundation in animal nutrition, but not all are specialists. A veterinary nutritionist has completed additional, in-depth training. For complex conditions, it is best to consult a dedicated expert listed in the Animal Services directory.
Looking for a veterinary nutritionist? Click the link below:
Looking for an animal dietitian or animal nutrition consultant? Click the link below:
Looking for animal nutrition training? Click the link below:
Are you a veterinary nutritionist, animal dietitian, or animal nutrition trainer? You can post an ad and add your practice on
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