Choosing the Right Nutrition Support for Your Pet
Making nutrition decisions for your pet can feel overwhelming — especially when there are many professionals, programs, and opinions to choose from. This page is designed to help you understand the different types of nutrition support available, what each option does best, and how they can work together to support your pet’s health.
Who Supports Your Pet’s Health?
Your pet’s well-being is often supported by a team, not a single provider. Each role plays an important part, with different areas of focus and expertise.
Common Members of a Pet’s Care Team
Medical diagnosis
Veterinarian: ✔️
Holistic Veterinarian: ✔️
Pet Nutrition Specialist (me): ❌
Prescriptions & surgery
Veterinarian: ✔️
Holistic Veterinarian: ✔️
Pet Nutrition Specialist (me): ❌
Nutrition-focused care
Veterinarian: ⚠️ Limited time
Holistic Veterinarian: ⚠️ Limited time
Pet Nutrition Specialist (me): ✔️✔️ In-depth
Customized diet plans (home cooking)
Veterinarian: ❌
Holistic Veterinarian: ⚠️
Pet Nutrition Specialist (me): ✔️✔️
Chronic condition nutrition
Veterinarian: ⚠️
Holistic Veterinarian: ⚠️
Pet Nutrition Specialist (me): ✔️✔️
Time spent per client
Veterinarian: ⏱️ Limited
Holistic Veterinarian: ⏱️ Limited-Moderate
Pet Nutrition Specialist (me): ⏱️✔️ Extended
Ongoing diet adjustments
Veterinarian: ❌
Holistic Veterinarian: ⚠️
Pet Nutrition Specialist (me): ✔️✔️
Education & support
Veterinarian: ⚠️
Holistic Veterinarian: ✔️
Pet Nutrition Specialist (me): ✔️✔️
Works alongside veterinary care
Veterinarian: ✔️
Holistic Veterinarian: ✔️
Pet Nutrition Specialist (me): ✔️✔️
Legend
✔️ = Yes
⚠️ = Sometimes / limited
❌ = Not their role
How to read this chart:
This comparison highlights the scope of each role — not which is “better.” I encourage pet parents to seek out an integrative partnership where professionals collaborate to benefit your pet’s over-all health care needs.
Pet nutrition services does not replace veterinary care. I work alongside your veterinarian to support your pet through personalized, nutrition-focused guidance.
Types of Pet Nutrition Support Services
In addition to understanding professional roles, it’s helpful to know the different nutrition services available — especially when managing chronic conditions, formulating home-prepared diets, or building a strong foundation for long-term health.
Nutrition Support Options You May Encounter
| University-Based Nutrition Services (e.g., UC Davis) | Medical & clinical diet formulation | Recipe formulation based on medical records and lab work | ❌ Limited or no on going support | $500–$1,200+ per formulation |
| Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist (DACVN) | Therapeutic diet design for medical conditions | Medical review, diet formulation, written recommendations | ⚠️ Limited follow-up | $400–$900 per case |
| Online Diet Formulation Services | One-time recipe creation | Basic diet formulation, limited customization | ❌ No follow up services | $100–$300 per recipe | doesn’t include consultation cost
| Veterinary Clinics (General Nutrition Advice) | Medical care with basic nutrition guidance | Prescription diets, general feeding advice | ⚠️ Limited diet support-pet food manufactured brands like Science Diet, Purina, & Royal Canine |
| Wells Pet Nutrition | Holistic, personalized nutrition support | In-depth consultation, customized diet & supplement guidance, education | ✔️ Ongoing check-ins & adjustments | Varies by program & level of support |
Legend
✔️ = Included
⚠️ = Limited
❌ = Not typically offered
These services vary in:
Level of personalization
Ongoing support and adjustments
Communication access
Focus on whole-pet wellness vs. formulation alone
Each option has a place, depending on your pet’s needs and your level of desired support.
Which Option Is Right for Your Pet?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to pet nutrition. The best choice depends on your pet’s health history, current challenges, and your goals as a pet parent.
University-Based & Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists
May be a good fit if your pet:
Has complex or unstable medical conditions
Requires tightly controlled therapeutic diets (usually prescription diets-Hill’s, Royal Canine..)
Needs advanced clinical oversight
Online Diet Formulation Services
May be helpful if:
You need a one-time recipe or formulation (no variety in ingredients)
Your pet is generally healthy and stable
Ongoing guidance is not a priority
Your pet likes to eat the same diet every day
If your pet isn’t picky and will eat anything you give them
Wells Pet Nutrition
May be the right fit if you’re looking for:
Personalized, holistic nutrition guidance
Support for chronic or recurring health concerns
Ongoing diet adjustments as your pet changes
Education, empowerment, and collaboration
A whole-body approach using food as a foundation for healing
A varied diet your pet will go crazy for!
Help with various cooking tools, ingredients, batch cooking, etc.
Many clients choose to work with with/Wells Pet Nutrition alongside their veterinarian or specialist to bridge the gap between medical care and daily nutrition. Food is medicine as they say. When we feed our pet’s a species appropriate, biologically necessary diet, then we get the opportunity to see our pet’s lives lengthen and thrive.
A Collaborative Approach to Pet Health
I deeply respect the role of veterinarians, specialists, and university-based programs. My goal is not to replace these services, but to complement them — offering time, education, and individualized nutrition support that can evolve as your pet does.
Some pets may benefit from care by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or university-based service. I am always happy to collaborate with your veterinary team when appropriate.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re unsure which type of nutrition support is best for your pet, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your pet’s history, goals, and next steps — and together we’ll determine the most supportive path forward. Unsure of which plan is right for you? Click here to learn your options today!