Nutrition is foundational to companion animal welfare. Understanding evidence-based feeding enables owners to support optimal health and quality of life for their animals.
Nutrition affects companion animal welfare through multiple pathways: obesity causes chronic joint pain and reduced lifespan; deficiency diseases impair organ function; and inappropriate diets cause gastrointestinal distress. The companion animal nutrition market is influenced by marketing more than science — many premium products command higher prices without demonstrable welfare benefits over AAFCO-compliant standard foods. The welfare-conscious approach prioritises complete and balanced nutrition certified to relevant standards, appropriate portion control to prevent obesity, age-appropriate formulations, and regular veterinary nutritional assessment rather than expensive marketing claims.