The nutrition of companion dogs has significant welfare implications, with growing evidence that ultra-processed pet food diets may compromise long-term health outcomes.
Companion dog nutrition is a welfare issue that extends beyond obvious cases of underfeeding or malnutrition. The dominance of ultra-processed kibble in dog diets, combined with widespread overfeeding, has created an epidemic of canine obesity and potentially contributed to diet-related health problems. Responsible dog nutrition requires evidence-based guidance rather than following commercial marketing claims. Veterinary nutritionists emphasise that no single diet is optimal for all dogs and that individual health status, age, and activity level should guide dietary choices. Owner awareness of caloric needs and body condition scoring is fundamental to preventing obesity-related welfare harm.