Welcome to the Companion Animal Site!

The Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois was the first in the U.S. to establish a program in companion animal biology, out of a desire to serve those students more interested in companion animals as compared with livestock or poultry.

Today, our Companion Animal Biology and Humane Education program provides training in the basic sciences of companion animals as well as the human-animal interactions that so strongly affect our lives and society.

Our research program focuses heavily on nutrition and has made monumental contributions to the pet food industry. Our teaching and research programs are complemented by an active outreach component that focuses on promoting responsible pet care and spreading the concept of humane education. Ultimately our students are provided with the tools necessary to pursue an incredibly diverse range of careers, including research, veterinary medicine, animal behavior, humane education, and the dynamic pet care industry.