Animal Welfare in the Pet Food Industry

The welfare of animals used in pet food production is largely invisible to consumers. Improving pet food ingredient sourcing standards can extend welfare improvement to billions of additional animals.

Key Facts

The global pet food market uses billions of kilograms of fish, poultry, and livestock annually
Many pet food formulas include by-products from conventional production systems with poor welfare standards
Some premium pet food brands source from certified humane or welfare-labeled production systems
Insect protein for pet food has a potentially lower welfare footprint than vertebrate protein sources
Plant-based pet food options are nutritionally adequate for dogs but require more careful formulation for cats

Welfare Considerations

Caring about pet welfare while ignoring the welfare of animals in pet food creates a moral inconsistency. The animals in pet food ingredients deserve the same welfare consideration as the companion animals being fed. Consumer demand for welfare-conscious pet food ingredients would extend animal welfare improvements into a massive production sector that currently operates largely outside welfare scrutiny.

What You Can Do

Research your pet food brands sourcing standards for meat and fish ingredients
Support pet food companies committed to welfare-certified ingredient sourcing
Consider insect-based or plant-based pet food options for dogs as lower-welfare-impact alternatives
Advocate for welfare labeling requirements for pet food ingredient sources