Pet food, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and companion animal products are tested on animals, with welfare standards that vary across product categories and jurisdictions.
Companion animal product testing welfare varies significantly by product type. Veterinary pharmaceutical testing on target species is often necessary for safety and efficacy, but should follow 3Rs principles with welfare monitoring throughout. Pet food palatability and nutrition trials involve animals in testing conditions that may or may not meet high welfare standards depending on facility quality. Cosmetic pet product testing — shampoos, grooming products — has the weakest justification for animal testing given available non-animal alternatives. Consumer pressure on pet product companies to publish testing policies and adopt non-animal alternatives has driven some progress in this sector.