Pet owner, paw-rent, or guardian, no matter your preferred monicker, if you know the love of a dog or cat, you know the desire to provide them with the best life possible. You likely also know that ensuring the optimal care of our pets goes well beyond meeting their basic needs, we must consider their wellbeing. An animal’s well-being is the representation of how they experience life and is subjective to each individual animal. So, when we are on a mission to give our pets everything they deserve, where do we begin? How do we assess our pet’s well-being as it pertains to quality of life? How do we know if we are giving our pets the best life possible?
One effective framework for evaluating and enhancing animal welfare is the Five Domains Model. The most recent evolution in the concept of animal welfare, The Five Domains Model is used all over the world in a wide range of contexts from animal shelters, to zoos and commercial farming, but it can be a great tool for companion pet owners and caregivers, as well. This model builds upon previous standards, but allows us to examine animal welfare more holistically, recognizing that a wide variety of factors can have a cumulative impact on an animal’s mental state. The Five Domains Model considers the first four domains — nutrition, physical environment, health, and behavioral interactions, as governing inputs that have a direct impact on the fifth domain, the animal’s mental state. Each domain interacts with and influences the others, highlighting the interconnected nature of an animal’s well-being and enabling caregivers not only to minimize negative experiences but also to raise positive ones to ensure the highest welfare throughout an animal’s life.
How can you apply this to the cuddly little fur ball curled up on your couch right now?!?!
1. Nutrition: Proper nutrition is the foundation of health for all living creatures, including our pets. Providing a balanced diet that meets their nutritional requirements — based on age, size, breed, and health — is essential for an animal’s overall well-being. But you can also use feeding as an opportunity for enrichment and increasing their positive mental state by using things like puzzle feeders and considering your dog or cat’s individual preferences when choosing flavors or ingredients. Make sure you don’t forget about hydration. To maintain a healthy well-being, pets must remain hydrated and have unrestricted access to clean, fresh water.
2. Physical Environment: Creating a safe and enriching environment for your cat or dog is crucial for their physical and mental health. Many of us know the importance of keeping our pets sheltered from harsh weather conditions and providing them with comfortable resting areas; but, to achieve and maintain a positive welfare state in your pet you also want to provide plentiful opportunities for exercise, exploration, mental stimulation, and choice. Toys, scratching posts, sniff walks, and interactive games are great tools to prevent boredom and promote some of your pet’s natural behaviors. Regularly assess your animal’s living space to identify and address potential hazards or stressors and be on the lookout for items or activities you might incorporate into your pet’s life/environment to soothe or positively stimulate them.
3. Health: Regular veterinary care and exercise are essential components in maintaining your pet’s health and detecting any potential issues in a timely fashion. Schedule routine check-ups, vaccinations, parasite control, and dental exams as recommended by your vet, and ensure your furry friend gets adequate and appropriate exercise to meet their individual needs. Proactively monitor your dog or cat for signs of illness or discomfort, like changes in appetite, energy levels, grooming habits, or behavior. And promptly address any such changes or other health concerns to prevent unnecessary suffering and ensure a high quality of life.
4. Behavioral Interactions: Understanding and addressing your dog or cat’s behavior is key to fostering a harmonious relationship and promoting their overall welfare. Providing appropriate and consistent training and socialization will help precipitate positive interactions with people and other animals. But keep in mind that each pet is unique. Employing patience and empathy, recognize and respect your dog or cat’s individual temperament and preferences so you may avoid situations and stimuli that will cause them undue stress or anxiety. Positive reinforcement techniques can help shape desired behaviors, strengthen positive associations, and enhance the bond between you and your companion.
5. Mental State: The Five Domains considers your pet’s mental state as central. For every physical aspect (nutrition, environment, health, and behavior) that is impacted, there may be an accompanying emotional or individual experience that also impacts an animal’s welfare. In addition to providing your cat or dog with the essential welfare blocks listed above, attentive observation and adjustment in the face of stress or anxiety in your pet is essential to creating and maintaining a positive mental state. Spending quality time with your pet will allow you to observe anything that might be creating a negative mental state and give you the opportunity to address any issues and help your dog or cat move to a more consistent positive state.
We don’t just want our pets to survive, we want the best for them, we want them to thrive. Applying the Five Domains Model to our companion dogs and cats, focusing on observations, seeing our pets as individuals, and giving them more choice and control over their environment, can help us ensure that they lead fulfilling and happy lives. By applying the Five Domains, regularly assessing and positively addressing their nutrition, environmental, health, and behavioral needs, all with an eye toward their mental health you can promote their overall well-being and strengthen the bond you share.