FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to securing reliable dietary advice and information about animal and pet nutrition, it is important to seek support from an appropriately knowledgeable, evidence-backed source or professional. The world of animal nutrition can often be confusing and overwhelming, especially for those who don’t have the necessary scientific background to be able to see through the bogus marketing claims of animal- and pet food manufacturers and the endless pages of clickbait on the internet. When you need professional animal- and pet nutrition advice or support, who do you turn to?
The term 'Nutritionist' is unfortunately, very loosely and widely used. The title of ‘animal nutritionist’ is not legally protected and theoretically, anybody can call themselves a nutritionist, as many do. It is however considered best practice for animal nutritionists to complete the necessary nutrition qualifications (see below) and supervised work experienced before ethically using this title.
An animal nutritionist is a professional who specializes in the study of the nutritional needs of animals. Animal nutritionists use their scientific knowledge to advise on the effect of diet on animal health and well-being. Animal nutritionists are concerned with the diets of all types of animals, including domestic, farm, game and zoo animals. They work to ensure that animals are receiving the proper nutrients to maintain good health and support growth, reproduction, and overall well-being. They may work in research, education, or in an advisory role for farmers and pet owners. Some of the main functions of an animal nutritionist is to formulate diets and rations that optimizes growth, reproduction, health and performance; evaluate the chemical and nutritional value of feeds, feed supplements, grass and forage for commercial animals and pets; assess the relative nutritional and economic value of feeding systems; research the effectiveness of dietary regimes; monitor feed formulations to meet quality performance and animal health standards; provide advice on nutrition to farmers, animal owners, veterinarians and government bodies;
rationalize animal feed manufacturing techniques and many more.
In South Africa, it is a legal requirement to be registered as a Professional Natural Scientist with SACNASP (South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions), who is the legislated regulatory body for natural science practitioners in South Africa, to practice as an animal nutritionist . Most diligent employers/clients would expect their nutritionists to be registered.
The first step in becoming a qualified animal nutritionist in South Africa is to obtain a bachelor’s degree at a tertiary institute, commonly in the field of Animal Science. Most qualified animal nutritionists hold advanced degrees, either master’s degrees or a Ph.D. in specifically the subject field of animal nutrition. In general, companion animal nutritionists will, in addition to advanced degrees, also have additional certifications specializing in companion animal nutrition.
It is the best practice to always ask your nutritionist about their qualifications and make sure that they are professionally registered scientists when practicing in South Africa.
SACNASP (South African Council For Natural Scientific Professions) is the legislated regulatory body for natural science practitioners in South Africa. The natural sciences encompass a wide range of scientific fields covering all of the basic sciences and many of their applied derivatives.
The Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) was established as a juristic person in 1982 by an Act of Parliament, the Natural Scientists Act, 1982 [Act 55 of 1982], which has subsequently evolved into the directives of the Natural Scientific Professions Act, 2003 [Act 27 of 2003] as amended. The Council is therefore mandated as the Accounting Authority to implement the provisions of the Act, under the oversight of its Executive Authority, the Minister of Science and Technology.
The Natural Scientific Professions Act (Act 27 of 2003) has made it compulsory for scientists practising in the fields of practice of natural science to register with SACNASP irrespective of the nature of their employment, be it academia, industry, commerce or consulting. It is only a scientist that is registered as a Professional Scientist that is allowed to approve and sign off work.
In terms of the Act it is a statutory requirement:
- That persons practicing in any of the fields of practice listed in Schedule I of the Act, must be registered with SACNASP in any of the prescribed categories [Section 18]
- That only a registered person may practise in a Consulting capacity [Section 20]
- That the Council must determine the requirements with which a voluntary association must comply with to qualify for recognition [Section 26].
All Animal Nutritionists practicing in South Africa is legally obliged to be registered with the council. It is best to always ask your nutritionist what their registration status is and, if they aren't registered as professional natural scientists, rather obtain nutritional advice and guidance from a professionally registered nutritionist.
Pr. Sci. Nat. is the abbreviation used for Professional Natural Scientists.
This indicates that the person is registered and comply with all requirements set forth by the The Natural Scientific Professions Act, 2003 (Act No 27 of 2003), and has satisfied the relevant educational requirement determined by the Council for this purpose by demonstrating his or her competence against standards determined by the Council for the relevant category for registered persons in the natural scientific professions.
A person may not practise in any capacity, in any of the fields of practice listed in the categories indicated in Schedule I of the Act unless he or she is registered in a category mentioned in Schedule I of the Act.
A person who is not registered in terms of this Act, may not – (a) perform any kind of work identified for any category of registered persons in terms of this section; (b) pretend to be, or in any manner hold or allow himself or herself to be held out as, a person registered in terms of this Act; (c) use the name of any registered person or any name or title referred to in sections 18 and 22; or (d) perform any act purporting or calculated to lead persons to believe that he or she is registered in terms of this Act.
A Veterinary Nutritionist is a Board-certified veterinary specialist in animal nutritionist, who has the training and expertise to advise pet owners on all areas of their pet’s nutrition, and focus on creating diet plans and treating conditions related to animal nutrition.
Board certified Veterinary Nutritionists can often be involved in several different aspects of veterinary nutrition, including conducting research, taking care of patients, consulting with veterinarians and animal owners, and teaching. Veterinary Nutritionists can work in a variety of different environments, including veterinary schools, pet food or drug companies, or private veterinary practices/hospitals.
Be careful of veterinarians who assign themselves with the title of "veterinary nutritionist" without being board certified, especially in South Africa. Currently, specializing and becoming board certified is only offered internationally, not in South Africa. It is not a 1+1=2 situation. Being a veterinarian and being a qualified animal nutritionist does not automatically make you a board certified veterinary nutritionist. There aren't many Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists.
To become board certified in a veterinary specialty, a veterinarian must complete veterinary school, a one-year internship or equivalent, and then complete a two to three year residency program that meets the standards of a recognized specialty college or board. During the residency, there are strict training requirements, and then, finally, to become a specialist, the veterinarian must pass one or more rigorous examinations before becoming board certified. This training and examinations are not offered in South Africa. Only once all of this is completed can they call themselves Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists or “Diplomate”. Many board-certified specialists also devote more years to earn Master’s or PhD degrees in their area of specialization. Board certified veterinary nutritionists usually have the qualification DACVIM (Nutrition).
A Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist is unique in that they incorporate the medical knowledge from having a veterinary degree with nutritional expertise gained from their residency training in veterinary nutrition. As with other areas of specialization in veterinary medicine, such as surgery, cardiology, or ophthalmology, Veterinary Nutritionists are specialists, just like those we're used to in human medicine. Nutrition has been a board-certified veterinary specialty for more than 30 years through the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, with nearly 100 Diplomates in the United States. There is also a comparable board-certified veterinary specialty in nutrition in Europe – the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN) – which currently has nearly 50 Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists.
If your pet has a complex health condition, you should seek out expertise from a board certified veterinary nutritionist, and your your primary veterinarian and/ or companion animal nutritionist should refer you to such a specialist.
All animal feeds and pet foods in South Africa are regulated in terms of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947).
Regulations also require that all pet food products, including individual ingredients, as well as the manufacturing company have to be registered, and adhere to all legal health and safety standards.
Currently, all individual pet food products requires product registration, to obtain a ‘V-number’ – or registration number – that must be printed on the product’s packaging in order for it to be sold. No products may legally be sold without a valid registration number. The registration process entails a review of the pet food formulation, and verification of nutritional claims, among other things. This ensures that what is communicated on the pack is indeed inside the pack, and that each formulation conforms to the nutritional requirements and minimum specifications as laid out in the law. Registration also ensures that the formulation has been approved by a professionally registered (SACNASP Professional) qualified animal nutritionist has reviewed and approved all formulations.
The risks associated with selling and purchasing unregistered pet food are shared by manufacturers, retailers, consumers and their pets. Manufacturers caught producing non-complaint foods, and retailers caught selling unregistered foods may be liable for a fine or jail time.
Pet food products that have not been approved in the technical registration process can pose a big risk to pets consuming such foods, which might be unbalanced and nutritionally depleted foods, or contain harmful and unlawful ingredients of poor quality.
Always ensure that you are buying only legal, registered products, by looking for the V-number printed on the packaging of pet food products.