Pet Wellness: More Than Keeping Our Pets Healthy

Understanding the many factors that contribute to a pet's health, wellbeing, functioning and quality of life

We talk a lot about our own health and wellbeing. We think about what we eat, how much we move, how we manage stress, whether we get enough rest and how our environment affects us.

But what about our pets?

Pet care is often reduced to the basics: good food, exercise, vaccinations and veterinary care. These are all important. In fact, preventative veterinary care is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. It can help identify health concerns earlier, provide appropriate vaccination and parasite control, monitor changing needs and support health throughout an animal's life (American Animal Hospital Association–American Veterinary Medical Association Preventive Healthcare Guidelines Task Force, 2011).

But these things are not the whole picture.

A pet can have access to appropriate food and veterinary care and still have unmet environmental, behavioural, social or emotional needs.

This is where the idea of Pet Wellness becomes useful.

What do we actually mean by Pet Wellness?

There is currently no single, universally accepted scientific definition of Pet Wellness, unlike the established frameworks for assessing animal welfare. The term is nevertheless increasingly used in veterinary and pet-care settings, often in relation to preventative healthcare, nutrition, lifestyle, and maintaining health across the animal's life (Gyles C., 2012).

Animal welfare science provides a useful foundation for broader thinking.

The Five Domains Model, for example, considers nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioural interactions and mental state. It recognises that these areas interact and can influence an animal's subjective experiences and overall welfare (Mellor et al., 2020).

Similarly, veterinary guidance increasingly emphasises individualised care that considers factors such as life stage, environment, behaviour, nutrition, preventative healthcare and the animal's particular circumstances (Creevy et al., 2019).

At Holistic Awareness, we therefore use Pet Wellness as a broader and practical concept:

Pet Wellness is the ongoing consideration of the physical health, emotional wellbeing, behaviour, environment, activity, relationships, comfort, enrichment and individual needs that contribute to an animal's quality of life.

It is not intended to replace veterinary medicine or established animal-welfare frameworks. Instead, it brings these different aspects of care together and encourages thinking about the individual animal as a whole. That distinction matters. Wellness is not simply about whether a pet is sick or healthy. It is also about how that animal experiences and functions within its everyday life.

What makes up Pet Wellness?

Pet Wellness is not one thing. It is a collection of interconnected areas.

Nutrition

Food is obviously fundamental to health, but nutrition is not simply about choosing food labelled “healthy”. Nutritional needs vary by species, age, size, activity, health status, and individual circumstances. Veterinary nutrition guidance emphasises assessing nutritional needs individually rather than relying on generic advice. Fresh water, appropriate food, healthy body condition and changing nutritional needs across the lifespan all form part of this picture (Baldwin et al., 2010; Freeman et al., 2011).

Physical health

Preventative and veterinary healthcare remain foundational. This includes appropriate veterinary examinations, vaccination where indicated, parasite prevention, dental care, grooming where appropriate, pain recognition and management, monitoring body condition and responding to changes in behaviour or physical functioning. An integrative approach does not mean choosing between veterinary medicine and other aspects of wellness. It means recognising that veterinary healthcare is one important part of a wider picture. Regular veterinary care can also help us notice changes that might otherwise be missed (American Animal Hospital Association–American Veterinary Medical Association Preventive Healthcare Guidelines Task Force, 2011).

Movement and activity

Movement matters, but more is not necessarily better. The appropriate level and type of activity depend on the species, age, physical condition, breed characteristics, health status, and preferences of the individual animal. A young, active dog may need very different opportunities for movement from an older dog experiencing joint problems. A cat's opportunities for climbing, stalking, jumping and exploring may look very different from a dog's need for walking and play (Creevy et al., 2019).

The question is therefore not simply:

“Is my pet getting enough exercise?”

It is:

“Is my pet getting the right kind and amount of movement for who they are?”

Life-stage veterinary guidelines similarly emphasise individualised consideration of activity, health, nutrition, behaviour and changing needs.

Mental and emotional wellbeing

Animals experience more than physical states. Their everyday experiences can include comfort, fear, frustration, security, pleasure, interest and engagement. The Five Domains Model explicitly incorporates mental state when considering animal welfare (Mellor et al., 2020). This means we need to consider opportunities for exploration, appropriate stimulation, predictability, choice, rest, and security, as well as factors that may create unnecessary stress. For cats in particular, environmental needs are closely connected with physical health, emotional wellbeing and behaviour. Feline environmental guidelines emphasise the importance of species-specific environmental needs and appropriate social and physical surroundings (Ellis et al., 2013).

Environment

Where an animal lives matters. The environment includes far more than whether a pet has a warm bed or a safe yard. It can include:

• access to appropriate resting places
• opportunities to explore
• sensory experiences
• safety and predictability
• access to food and water
• social arrangements
• opportunities to withdraw
• species-appropriate resources
• the ability to engage in natural or preferred behaviours.

Environmental enrichment research similarly emphasises that enrichment should suit the individual animal and can support physical, social, and environmental control, behavioural choice, and varied experiences (Ellis et al., 2013; Mellor et al., 2020).

Rest and recovery

This is one area that can easily be overlooked. Wellness does not always mean more activity, stimulation or interaction. Sometimes wellness means: a quiet space, less stimulation, uninterrupted rest, comfortable bedding, predictable routines or the opportunity to withdraw. An animal's need for rest and recovery varies by species, age, health, activity, and individual circumstances. Providing appropriate opportunities for rest, withdrawal, and comfort supports positive welfare (Mellor et al., 2020). A senior animal recovering from illness, for example, may have very different needs than a young animal eager to explore.

Social connection

For many companion animals, relationships are an important part of everyday life. This includes relationships with humans and, where appropriate, other animals. Nevertheless, again, individual differences matter. Social interaction should not simply be measured by how much interaction an animal receives. The quality, predictability and appropriateness of that interaction matter too. The Five Domains literature specifically recognises that human-animal interactions can have positive or negative effects on animal welfare depending on the circumstances and nature of the interaction (Mellor et al., 2020).

Enrichment and engagement

Enrichment can include play, sensory experiences, exploration, problem-solving, training, appropriate toys, opportunities to forage and other activities that provide meaningful engagement. However, enrichment should not become another checklist (Ratuski & Weary, 2022).

Research on environmental enrichment highlights the importance of tailoring enrichment to species and individual needs rather than simply providing equipment or stimulation for its own sake (Mellor et al., 2020; Ratuski & Weary, 2022). A toy that one animal loves may be completely uninteresting to another. Sometimes, the best enrichment is not a new product at all. It may be a walk somewhere different, a chance to sniff, a quiet interaction, an opportunity to explore or simply time spent together.

Life stage and individual needs

Perhaps the most important consideration is that there is no single version of a “healthy pet.” A puppy or kitten, adult animal, senior animal, rescue animal, working animal or animal living with a disability or chronic health condition may have very different needs. Even two animals of the same breed, age and size can differ considerably in temperament, preferences, health, activity level and tolerance for stimulation. Veterinary life-stage guidelines therefore advocate individualised approaches to preventive care and recognise that needs change throughout an animal's life (Creevy et al., 2019).

This brings us to an important question:

What does this particular animal need?

Wellness is not the same as doing more.

There is a temptation to turn wellness into a shopping list: more toys, more activities, more stimulation, more exercise, and more interaction. Wellness is not about adding as much as possible. An animal can become overwhelmed by excessive stimulation, just as it can become under-stimulated (Mellor et al., 2020). Appropriate care involves considering balance, individual needs and context.

Sometimes the most supportive thing we can provide is: less stimulation, more rest, greater predictability, a comfortable space, a choice, and a feeling of safety. This is one reason why Pet Wellness should not simply become another consumer category. A product can potentially contribute to an animal's environment or enrichment, but the product itself is not the wellness. What matters is how it is used, whether it is appropriate for the individual animal, and whether it meets an actual need.

Why does Pet Wellness matter?

Looking at wellness more broadly helps us be more proactive. It encourages us to notice changes rather than waiting until a problem becomes significant. It motivates us to consider quality of life alongside physical health. It incentivises us to think about behaviour as information rather than simply something to be controlled. It prompts us to ask whether an animal's everyday environment is supporting its needs.

This can contribute to:

• comfort and quality of life
• healthy activity
• appropriate behavioural expression
• engagement and enrichment
• early recognition of changes
• preventative care
• stronger human-animal relationships.

But there is an important boundary:

Pet Wellness does not replace veterinary care.

If an animal is unwell, injured, in pain or showing a significant change in behaviour or functioning, veterinary assessment may be necessary. Wellness and veterinary care should work alongside one another. 

An integrative approach is not about choosing “natural” approaches over medical care. It is about recognising that health, environment, behaviour, activity, nutrition, relationships, and quality of life are interconnected—while using appropriate professional healthcare when needed.

Our pets are part of our lives.

This is where Pet Wellness becomes particularly interesting. Our pets are not simply animals who happen to live in our homes. For many people, they are part of everyday life.

They are part of our routines, homes, families, emotional lives, physical activity, social lives, and responsibilities. The relationship works in both directions.

Our circumstances influence our ability to care for, interact with and provide opportunities for our pets. At the same time, our relationships with animals can influence our routines, activity, companionship and daily experiences. Growing research examines the relationship between human-animal interaction and human wellbeing. Some studies have found associations with physical activity, emotional wellbeing, social connection and other aspects of health. However, the evidence is not uniformly positive, and the relationship is more complex than simply saying that “pets make us healthier” (Teo et al., 2022; Northrope et al., 2025).

A systematic review examining attachment to pets and human mental health and wellbeing found mixed findings across the literature rather than a single consistent relationship (Northrope et al., 2025). Research into attachment to pets has similarly found mixed relationships with human mental health and wellbeing. This matters because our pets can be deeply meaningful to us without us needing to turn that relationship into a guaranteed health intervention. The human-animal relationship is individual, reciprocal and influenced by context (Mellor et al., 2020; Northrope et al., 2025). That is why it deserves thoughtful consideration.

Our pets are individuals too.

Perhaps one of the simplest ways to think about Pet Wellness is to move away from:

“What does a dog need?”

“What does a cat need?”

and start asking:

“What does this dog need?”

“What does this cat need?”

The difference may seem small, but it changes the way we think. It asks us to consider the animal's age, health, temperament, preferences, environment, activity level, relationships and current circumstances (Creevy et al., 2019). It also means wellness is not static. What works today may need to change tomorrow. A puppy becomes an adult. An adult becomes a senior. Health changes. The family changes. The environment changes. Our own circumstances change. Pet Wellness therefore becomes an ongoing process of noticing, responding and adapting.

Thinking about Pet Wellness in everyday life

Pet Wellness does not need to become complicated. One simple way of beginning is to look across several areas of everyday life:

Food → Movement → Health → Rest → Environment → Enrichment → Connection → Individual needs

Then ask:

• What is working well?
• What might be missing?
• What has changed?
• What does my pet seem to be communicating?
• Is there something I should discuss with my veterinarian or another appropriate professional?

These questions can help shift pet care from primarily reactive to more observant, proactive, and responsive. You do not have to change everything at once.

Sometimes a small change in the environment, routine, activity, or opportunity for engagement can make a meaningful difference, provided it is appropriate for the individual animal (Mellor et al., 2020).

Pet Wellness in Practice

At Holistic Awareness, we are developing Pet Wellness as a practical extension of our broader interest in whole-animal and human wellbeing. Our approach recognises that wellness is not a single product, treatment or activity. It means looking at the individual and considering the different factors that shape how they experience and function in their everyday lives.

We developed our Pet Wellness products with this in mind. They are intended as practical additions to everyday pet care, supporting areas such as comfort, enrichment, sensory engagement, activity and connection where appropriate. They are not intended to diagnose, treat or replace veterinary care.

Instead, they are part of a broader question:

How can we make the everyday lives of the animals who share our lives a little more comfortable, engaging and supportive?

Explore the Holistic Awareness Pet Wellness range

Resources (References and Additional Sources)

American Animal Hospital Association. (2025, March 13). Essential care: Why wellness visits matter for pets. AAHA

American Animal Hospital Association–American Veterinary Medical Association Preventive Healthcare Guidelines Task Force. (2011). Development of new canine and feline preventive healthcare guidelines designed to improve pet health. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 47(5), 306–311. https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-4007 

American Animal Hospital Association, & American Veterinary Medical Association. (2011). 2011 AAHA/AVMA preventive healthcare guidelines for dogs and cats. American Animal Hospital Association.

Baldwin, K., Bartges, J., Buffington, T., Freeman, L. M., Grabow, M., Legred, J., & Ostwald, D., Jr. (2010). AAHA nutritional assessment guidelines for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 46(4), 285–296. https://doi.org/10.5326/0460285

Creevy, K. E., Grady, J., Little, S. E., Moore, G. E., Strickler, B. G., Thompson, S., & Webb, J. L. (2019). 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 55(6), 267–290. https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6999 

Ellis, S. L. H., Rodan, I., Carney, H. C., Heath, S., Rochlitz, I., Shearburn, L. D., Sundahl, E., & Westropp, J. (2013). AAFP and ISFM feline environmental needs guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15(3), 219–230. DOI: 10.1177/1098612X13477537

Freeman, L., Becvarova, I., Cave, N., MacKay, C., Nguyen, P., Rama, B., Takashima, G., van Beukelen, P., & Yathiraj, S. (2011). WSAVA nutritional assessment guidelines. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 52(7), 385–396. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2011.01079

Gyles, C. (2012). Pet wellness. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 53(12), 1243–1244.

Mellor, D. J., Beausoleil, N. J., Littlewood, K. E., McLean, A. N., McGreevy, P. D., Jones, B., & Wilkins, C. (2020). The 2020 Five Domains Model: Including human–animal interactions in assessments of animal welfare. Animals, 10(10), 1870. DOI: 10.3390/ani10101870

Northrope, K., Shnookal, J., Ruby, M. B., & Howell, T. J. (2025). The relationship between attachment to pets and mental health and wellbeing: A systematic review. Animals, 15(8), 1143. DOI: 10.3390/ani15081143

Ratuski, A. S., & Weary, D. M. (2022). Environmental enrichment for rats and mice housed in laboratories: A metareview. Animals, 12(4), 414. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12040414 

Teo, J. T., Johnstone, S. J., Römer, S. S., & Thomas, S. J. (2022). Psychophysiological mechanisms underlying the potential health benefits of human-dog interactions: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 180, 27–48. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.07.007

World Animal Health Organisation. (n.d.). Animal welfare. WOAH Animal Welfare

World Small Animal Veterinary Association. (n.d.). Global nutrition guidelines. WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines