I’m very interested in pet nutrition. At this point in my life, I’m seriously considering going to veterinary school (though I actually would like to become a small animal/exotics specialist). However, I’m also very passionate about pet nutrition (including that of dogs and cats).
I know that in veterinary school I will be ‘taught’ during a short nutritional course about ‘pet nutrition’ and that foods like Science Diet are good foods and so on and so forth. However, I want to educate myself past that when I’m finished with schooling.
The thing that bothers me is that I see some pet nutritionists (people who have done further studying) who praise Innova and and the other high quality foods… and then I see some who are still insisting that Science Diet and Purina are great foods.
I want to do my own research someday, with unbiased, actual scientific studies (studies that weren’t done by the actual pet food companies).
I don’t know the first thing about this. How do people educate themselves further?
Oz, I realize that. That was my point actually.
I’m concerned that any schools that might offer additional nutrition courses will be just as bad as that little course you get during regular veterinary training, really.
Your idea on contacting already established nutritionists is a good one, though. That’s certainly something to look into.
I think I’d also ask what additional research they’ve done on their own… maybe I can figure out why some of them claim foods like Innova as the best while others are still claiming Science Diet and the likes are best.
That’s a good idea too, Runeamok. I did know that holistic vets are usually more educated in that aspect 
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Most veterinary schools do not include adequate nutrition training at all.
In fact if they do have any form of training in that area, it is generally sponsored by a lesser dog food brand (such as Pedigree) which generally just endorses their brand and tells you that corn is good and meat is bad.
Try getting in contact with some people who specialize in dog nutrition research. See where they were educated first off, and see if you can shadow them (or someone in the field) for a while until you can conduct your own research.
There are some schools that do offer this as a course as well.
If you can’t find any self-billed pet nutritionists, you could contact a holistic vet. You probably already know that they tend to have more nutritional knowledge than regular vets. I know mine does. I don’t think it matters that you’re probably not in my area….you could certainly give them a call or an email.