PEER REVIEWED
TODAY'S TECHNICIAN
Developing a Nutrition Program in Your Practice
Heather Lynch, RVT, LVT
Pet nutrition is big business. In a competitive market, veterinary practices need to maximize their influence as pet care experts to help owners make appropriate, well-informed decisions.
I
n 2012, it is estimated that pet owners will spend 52 billion dollars on their pets; approxi- mately half of this will be spent on pet food.1 With this amount of money at stake, it's no
wonder that pet food companies invest in large- scale marketing campaigns designed to influence owners' purchasing habits. In the midst of marketing, the veterinarian's
voice is sometimes lost. With pet obesity on the rise and ever more complicated pet food options available, experienced guidance is more important than ever. In 2011, AAHA released new guidelines to help veterinarians better incorporate nutri- tional consults into their wellness examinations.2 However, in busy general practices, performing thorough nutritional consults can be challenging. This article will discuss how to develop a practical nutrition program for your practice.
A NUTRITIONAL RESOURCE Market research shows that owners are increas- ingly interested in pet nutrition, and are doing more research, usually Internet-based, into nutri- tion before buying a food rather than simply believing advertising or packaging.3
This envi-
ronment provides an important opportunity for veterinary professionals to step in and guide pet owners in making informed decisions about nutri- tion. Doing so helps clarify confusing pet food choices and adds value to the practice's services.
July/August 2012 Today's Veterinary Practice 75