Pet Nutrition Consultations & Recipe Formulation:
I offer both dog and cat nutrition consultations to either help you choose between different premade commercial recipes or to create a homemade recipe for your pet. I offer both phone and email consultations. You can find out more about the services I offer and my pricing by looking at my nutritional questionnaire. Please email me at nikki@nikkipetnutrition.com after you complete all needed forms.
If you have a pet with a medical condition, I REQUIRE: 1. a veterinarian referral, and 2. a copy of medical records. This includes ANY acute or chronic medical condition that would affect diet formulation, including but not limited to: kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, gastrointestinal disease, pancreatitis, etc.
Looking forward to meeting your pet and chatting with you further!
Nikki Giovanelli, RVT
AS Animal Science (Mesa College) , BS Biology (SDSU) , Dip. Companion Animal Nutrition (SIU)
Candidate MSc Animal Nutrition (University of Glasgow)
My Perspective:
When I take on a client and look to either choose a food or formulate a recipe for them I go through two main steps. First is I break down what their pet’s nutritional needs are based on the age/life-stage, activity level, and diet/medical history. Then I overlay that with more practical aspects of diet choice such as lifestyle, behavioral management, and budget. From there we discuss diet options that fit those needs be that a homemade diet, kibble, canned, premade fresh food, or a combination. Trust me when I say – my intention is to create a meal plan that works for your pet, your goals, and your life – not someone else’s.
My Expertise:
I have worked as an RVT for almost a decade, and have been formulating recipes (and cooking for my own dogs) for almost the same amount of time. Currently, I use a combination of Animal Diet Formulator, BalanceIT, and an Excel Spreadsheet to formulate pet food recipes. This allows to check formulation on a Dry Matter and Caloric Basis. And then check formulations according to the NRC for your dog’s ideal weight.
Over my decade of experience formulating diets for dogs and cats, I have gained knowledge in formulating recipes for pets with gastrointestinal conditions like IBD, Gastritis, and Pancreatitis, performing food elimination trials for allergies, and creating Weight Loss plans. I have also formulated diets for Joint Disease, Heart Disease (Mitral Valve Disease), Seizures, Diabetes, Cushing’s Disease, Hypothyroidism, Kidney Disease and Cancer with direct veterinarian input as far as goals/composition.
That said, I am not a board-certified veterinarian with a specialty in nutrition. I am an registered veterinary technician (veterinary nurse) who has done graduate-level coursework in animal nutrition. My role is ultimately supportive, and your primary veterinarian is the driver of your pet’s nutritional plan. This is why I ask for a referral from your veterinarian. I use this referral to create a meal plan that incorporates your veterinarian’s diagnostics and recommendations while keeping your requests and concerns in mind. I then present a “proposal” for your veterinarian and you to approve, and I can also answer any questions about ingredient selection, composition, or supplementation. This is different from a boarded-certified veterinarian with a specialty in nutrition – these individuals (since they are veterinarians) can diagnose and prescribe, and thus an lead the conversation. If you’d like to speak with a board-certified veterinarian you can find one that offers remote consultations here.