Brambell's Five Freedoms

Understanding Our Animals Needs

A significant cause of stress for an animal occurs when its most basic animal welfare needs are not being met. One of the first and most comprehensive efforts to define an animal’s needs started in Great Britain in 1965 with the establishment of the Brambell Commission. This commission, created by Parliament, was charged with reviewing the welfare of farm animals and developing a minimum standard for meeting their needs. They created what is known as “The Five Freedoms” which is an excellent starting point for evaluating the needs of any animal, including dogs and cats. The five freedoms are:

1. Ensure your pet is free from hunger, thirst and malnutrition.

• Make sure your pet always has access to fresh, clean water.

• Provide your pet with wholesome, quality food in sufficient quantity. Make sure the food is of a type that would be in their natural diet and that they are allowed to consume this food in a manner that is natural for their species. Please make sure you do not overfeed them and cause them to become overweight.

2.  Ensure your pet is free from discomfort.

• Make sure your pet always has adequate shelter from temperature and weather extremes.

• Provide your pet with a quiet, comfortable resting place where they can be undisturbed and where they will feel safe. Kittens and puppies need a safe area where they can sleep and rest when you are unable to watch them.

• Make sure that their environment is free from things that may cause them harm.

• Make sure that if they are a breed which is unable to adequately groom themselves that you provide them with grooming on a regular basis, so that their hair does not become tangled and matted, causing them discomfort.

• Make sure that your pet has human and/or canine companionship. Dogs and cats are both social species and do not do well alone.
   

3. Ensure your pet is free from pain, injury and disease.

• Dogs and cats need to see a veterinarian on an annual basis. Your pet needs an initial series of vaccinations, much like a young child, to ensure that they are protected against diseases. You will want to take your pet to your veterinarian once a year for an annual physical.

• When you suspect your pet is not feeling well, make sure you provide them with rapid treatment by a qualified veterinarian.

• Make sure that if they are a breed which is unable to adequately groom themselves, that you provide them with grooming on a regular basis, so that their hair does not become tangled and matted, causing them pain. 

   

4. Ensure your pet is free to express normal behaviors.

• Your pet needs adequate space in which to run and an enriched environment which stimulates their minds and bodies. Toys enrich your pet’s environment by giving them something to play and interact with however; they need interaction with us as well.

• Provide adequate physical and mental stimulation. Pets need both physical and mental exercise on a daily basis. A pet that does not get adequate exercise may become bored and frustrated, and start exhibiting behaviors which you will find undesirable.

• Provide adequate opportunities for your pet to interact with others of their own species. Dogs and cats are both social animals and need opportunities to interrelate with others of their own kind.

5. Ensure your pet is free from fear and distress.

• Provide adequate socialization during key periods. Puppies and kittens both have critical socialization periods early in their lives. During this time they are very accepting of new environments, people and situations. To prevent an adult pet from being unsure of himself and fearful, it is essential you properly socialize your pet to as many positive life experiences as possible during this critical time. It is also important that you allow your pet to investigate or observe new situations at his own pace. Socialization does not end after the critical socialization period, rather it should continue throughout a pet’s life.

• Provide adequate physical and mental stimulation. Pets need both physical and mental exercise on a daily basis. A pet that does not get adequate exercise may become bored and frustrated, and start exhibiting behaviors which you will find undesirable. On the other hand, too much stimulation and exercise can also be detrimental. Activities needs to be well balanced with rest.

• Make sure that your pet has human and canine/feline companionship. Dogs and cats are both social species and do not do well alone.

• Provide adequate training. Your pet needs to be trained to fit into your life.

• Protect your pet by avoiding stressful situations until they have had adequate socialization and training. You are their guardian and as such must take responsibility for managing their interactions with the environment and other living things.