Dr. Danielle Opetz, PhD: Pet Nutritionist for Fromm Family

Dr. Danielle Opetz began the latest phase of her career as the Doctor of Animal Nutrition at Fromm Family Foods in November of 2023.

Credentials

Dr. Opetz’s extensive academic background includes:

• Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

• Master’s Degree in Animal Sciences with an emphasis on companion animal nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology/Animal Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Professional Beginnings

Starting with a fascination with animals throughout her childhood, Dr. Opetz’s interest in the pet industry grew while earning a bachelor's degree in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Her professional entry into the industry came in a variety of roles at veterinary offices and non-profits, leading to a position as an animal care technician and adoption counselor at the Wisconsin Humane Society. Here, her interest gravitated toward medicine and animal nutrition.

With a budding curiosity toward pet nutrition, in 2016, Dr. Opetz found her niche in holding various nutritional customer service positions and training roles within the Fromm company.

Post Graduate Education

Further education was the next step, as she efficiently matriculated through a master’s degree program emphasizing companion animal nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In short order, she moved upward through the Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, earning her doctorate in 2023. Her Ph.D. research focused on critical areas of feline health, specifically dietary impacts on body composition, physical activity, blood hormones, and fecal characteristics in cats undergoing weight gain and weight loss conditions.

At Fromm Family Foods

In bringing her Ph.D. credentials back to Fromm Family Foods in 2023, she found a company with a kindred spirit that is dedicated to being on the leading edge of pet nutrition. Her passion and expertise have been helping to hone that edge ever since.

“I always knew Fromm is where I wanted to be post-doctorate, and they welcomed me back with open arms. They continue to offer an environment that is enthusiastic and ambitious for its employees, with a fervor for being an innovative leader in the pet food industry and remains steadfast in its dedication to animal health, wellness, food safety, and quality nutrition.” Opetz said.

Fromm Family Foods owner and president Tom Nieman echoes the sentiment, understanding what a great boon it is to have someone of Opetz’s stature on staff:

“Fromm has a long-standing tradition of taking a science-based approach to companion animal health and nutrition. Danielle’s doctoral work and practical industry experience will help continue that tradition as we develop new premium foods and treats. It is a great asset to have a Ph.D. animal nutritionist on staff and even more rare to have someone with her extensive experience in research and pet food — she brings a great deal to our team of innovators.”

Fromm Pet Nutritionist Responsibilities

Dr. Opetz’s day-to-day responsibilities span components of education and training, product development/innovation, conducting and reviewing research, and generally being an industry representative and liaison. Her other charges include advancing professional development in technical mastery of pet nutrition, product processing, brand development and marketing, as well as the scientific foundation behind the products Fromm manufactures for dogs and cats.

Guided by Purpose-Driven Nutrition

Her career is defined by a passion for animal health, research, food safety, quality nutrition, and the foundational principle that “Everything starts within the gut”. 

Today, she is a strong advocate for functional nutrition and the use of purpose-driven ingredients like prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and antioxidants to promote long-term pet health.

She is the loving companion of two Great Danes and one Dachshund Chihuahua.

Read more about Dr. Opetz’s experience and philosophy in this article from Pet Food Processing.