Moving beyond absence of suffering to identifying and promoting positive wellbeing in dogs.
The evolution of companion animal welfare science from preventing harm to promoting flourishing represents a fundamental shift in how we understand animal lives. A dog free from pain, hunger, and fear has the minimum conditions for acceptable welfare — but a truly good life for a dog includes joyful play, comfortable social bonds, opportunities for meaningful activity, and regular positive emotional experiences. Research into canine positive welfare indicators enables owners and practitioners to assess not just the absence of negative states but the presence of genuine thriving. This shift matters because it demands more of us — not merely avoiding harm, but actively creating the conditions in which our dogs can experience a rich and rewarding life.