Animal welfare science has evolved from measuring suffering to also assessing positive welfare states — indicators that animals are thriving, not merely surviving.
Traditional animal welfare assessment focused primarily on preventing negative states — hunger, pain, fear. Modern welfare science recognises that good welfare requires positive emotional experiences too. Animals should not merely be free from suffering but should have opportunities for pleasure, play, positive social interaction and environmental engagement. Calves frisk and jump when released to pasture. Pigs rootle and explore with enthusiasm in enriched pens. These positive states are measurable and should be included in welfare auditing alongside health and behaviour measures. Consumer awareness of positive welfare can drive higher standards through purchasing power.