How might veterinarians do more for animal welfare?

This point reflects today’s holistic understanding of welfare as the state of the animal’s mind and body and the extent to which its nature is satisfied (3). If veterinarians are to do more for animal welfare, it is not enough for them to identify that herd productivity is down, that an animal is sick, or that the environment predisposes animals to illness. Even when an animal is healthy and the environment meets its physical needs, the environment should also promote mental welfare and enable the animal to satisfy its nature. For example, a horse may have a clean, spacious stall, but lack social contact; a hospitalized cat may have a clean cage, but have inadequate separation between its food and its litter-tray and have nowhere to hide (4). Veterinarians also need to be aware that clinical signs associated with compromised physical welfare may be associated with reduced mental and natural aspects of welfare. For example, dairy cows in tie-stalls may develop muscle cramps by the end of the winter due to lack of exercise. The same lack of exercise also frustrates expression of the bovine nature of moving about to graze and interact. Thus, an exercise yard is desirable to promote all 3 aspects of welfare, not only health. These examples of a more inclusive approach to veterinary assessment indicate how veterinarians might do more for animal welfare in the course of their clinical work.