Canine Nutrition and Welfare: Evidence and Practice

Diet quality significantly affects dog health, longevity, and welfare — but navigating commercial dog food claims requires critical evaluation.

Key Facts

Dogs are omnivores adapted to varied diets; obligate protein requirements are lower than often claimed
Grain-free dog foods have been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in some breeds
Raw meat diets present Salmonella and Campylobacter risks to both dogs and human household members
Ultra-processed dog foods are associated with lower longevity in retrospective studies
Breed-specific nutritional requirements are significant, particularly for giant breeds prone to orthopaedic disease

Welfare Considerations

Dog nutrition affects welfare through both direct disease causation and quality-of-life impacts. Obesity — affecting an estimated 50% of UK dogs — causes orthopaedic pain, reduced exercise capacity, and shortened lifespan. Nutritional deficiencies from inappropriate diets cause skin conditions, immune dysfunction, and developmental problems. The dog food market is heavily marketed with claims that often outrun evidence. Consulting a veterinary nutritionist for diet planning, rather than relying on marketing, is the most welfare-positive approach to canine nutrition.

What You Can Do

Maintain dogs at healthy body weight — consult your vet for breed-appropriate weight targets
Avoid obesity by measuring food portions and accounting for treats
Consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist before switching to non-commercial diets
Be skeptical of grain-free and raw food claims without veterinary endorsement
Choose dog foods that list named protein sources and have FEDIAF-compliant nutritional analysis