The majority of pet owners are loving and caring towards their pets, and do a great job ensuring safety, health and happiness of their beloved animals. However, there are exceptions. Therefore, you will be comforted to learn that the wellbeing of our pets is written into law. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 outlines five basic needs that should be covered for an animal to ensure life quality and happiness.

Environment

“…its need for a suitable environment”

In practice, this requirement can be very different from animal to animals. There can even be great differences in between the same species. The need for a warm, dry place to sleep, and access to outdoor toilet facilities is obvious. The amount of free outdoor space must also match the activity level of the animal. A large dog of a working breed requires lots of outdoor space, while a shy home cat needs less outdoor areas, but a calm and quiet home. 

 Diet

“…its need for a suitable diet”

A good diet is essential to keep your pet healthy form the inside and out. To ensure the optimal development, growth and happiness, veterinarians always recommend feeding your pet the best diet highest quality ingredients you can afford. Animals can be divided into carnivores, herbivores and omnivores, based on what they eat. However, it is not as simple as that. For instance, 80-90% of a rabbit’s diet should be hay, to avoid stasis in the gut. Dogs however, benefit from being fed lots of fat. They are able to metabolize 90-95% of it, and they get 250% more energy from fat than from carbohydrates. 

Keeping in mind to feed your pet properly, make sure to avoid overfeeding, as it may result in unhealthy obesity issue. Therefore, the term “a suitable diet” describes a diet that is tailored to the species, breed, life-stage, body condition and health status of the animal.

Behaviour

“…its need to be able to exhibit normal behavior patterns”

The mental wellbeing of your pet comes in under the behavioral need. An animal needs to be able to jump, run, play and be stimulated mentally to be happy. Making sure your pet is able to play out all its instincts and inherent behavioural patterns is crucial for its health. This paragraph prevents boredom, frustration and anxiety, and ensures a content animal.

Companionship

“…any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals”

How would your pet species exist in the wild? That is a good question to begin with to ensure it has a suitable companionship. Is it a pack or herd animal, or does I thrive the best on its own? Rats and rabbits are examples of animals that have a strong need for a companion to live with. Dogs and cats on the other hand, are usually very well off by themselves. Sometimes, bringing a new cat into a house with an existing cat could cause more stress than joy for both of them. 

Health

“…its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease”

Pets are, just like humans, sentient beings. Meaning they are able to feel pain. Being in pain is not only a physical suffering, but affects the mental wellbeing greatly as well. This welfare need obviously covers physical abuse and neglect, but also point to the importance of doing everything we can to ensure freedom of pain, disease and suffering for our beloved animals. In some cases, this means spending lots of time and money on suitable treatment and care at the veterinarian’s office. And in worst case, it actually means putting an end to the pet’s misery and pain. Putting the pet’s need above your own interest in these situations is what this welfare need is all about. 

All of these welfare needs are written into law to ensure the physical and mental health of animals under the care of humans. Owning an animal should be considered a privilege and a great responsibility. Although these five aspects make a good foundation for a good husbandry, all pet owners should try to exceed these needs for the best of their beloved pets.