The problem of animal evil

The problem of evil in humans is usually explained by the possibility of their having free choice, and by the lack of material things, etc. However, most creatures on Earth are animals, and they suffer from about the moment of their creation an enormous amount of suffering in nature, being afraid, enduring pain and cold, being devoured, etc. (and this is even before I talked about the terrible suffering caused to them by humans). So, how does a good God allow so much suffering for animals? After all, this cannot be explained by their free choice or anything like that.