Mark L. Morris, Jr., DVM, MS, Ph.D., DACVN, is known for his advances in therapeutic and life-stage veterinary nutrition. During his career, Dr. Morris developed more than 130 innovative products by expanding the line of Prescription Diet foods and creating Science Diet to sustain healthy pets. He also developed the ZuPreem line of products designed to meet the specific dietary needs of zoo animals.
Dr. Morris was a 1958 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and completed his master’s and doctorate degrees at the University of Wisconsin in 1963. After graduating he began working in the family business, Mark Morris Associates. Within months of moving to Topeka, Kan., Dr. Morris was drafted and served as a Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Veterinary Corps and worked as a laboratory pathology officer from 1958 to1960.
Many of Dr. Morris’ products solved complex nutritional problems, but one of the most notable and revolutionary was Prescription Diet® s/d® Feline. This was a landmark innovation in the world of pet nutrition because it was clinically proven through X-rays to dissolve struvite stones in cats with lower urinary track disease. This dietary solution eliminated the need for surgery in countless cats.
Dedicated to his profession and to educating the next generation of veterinary nutritionists, Dr. Morris was a founding member and diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition. He also worked on several publications and lectured often. During his career, he was invited to speak at more than 200 meetings across the globe and co-authored several editions of Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, the standard nutrition textbook for companion animal veterinarians.
Dr. Morris served as vice president of scientific activities at the Morris Animal Foundation, the largest, non-governmental, non-profit organization funding animal health studies in the United States. Dedicated to improving the health and well-being of companion animals, zoo animals and wildlife, MAF has funded more than 1,200 humane animal health studies since its founding in 1948 by his parents.
Professional memberships included the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and the Cornell University Feline Health Advisory Board.