Like humans, animals require proper nutrition to maintain their health. When an animal receives inadequate nutrition, the consequences on its holistic health and well-being can be severe.
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Malnutrition
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A malnourished animal has received an insufficient quantity of life-sustaining nutrients, either due to neglect, disease, injury or a natural event, such as drought or a scarcity of food. Malnutrition precedes starvation, which, if untreated, can lead to death.
Obesity
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Obesity most commonly affects domesticated pets who have been overfed or given improper food sources, such as low-quality pet food or unwholesome ̶0;people̶1; food. Extra weight places undue stress on organs, joints and ligaments, promoting disease and physical infirmities.
Diseases
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Many diseases are rooted in poor nutrition. A malnourished animal may suffer from rickets, nerve and immune disorders, and other degenerative diseases, while an obese animal may have diabetes, heart disease and increased blood pressure.
Behavioral Issues
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A lack of adequate nutrition can produce behavioral problems in animals, including aggression, skittishness and anxiety.
Lower Life Expectancy
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Improperly nourished animals generally lead shorter lives than their healthy counterparts, as the issues associated with poor nutrition, such as disease, impair basic physiological functions.
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