Dogs’ Freedoms: Understanding the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare

At Snoot Up, we believe dogs deserve more than basic care. They deserve freedom, safety, and respect — in every stage of life.

The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare provide a clear, internationally recognised framework for what humane care truly looks like for dogs. Developed in the United Kingdom in the 1960s and formally established in 1979, the Five Freedoms remain the global benchmark for animal welfare — and they are just as relevant to family dogs in Australia today.

These freedoms recognise that wellbeing is not only physical. It is mental, emotional, behavioural, and environmental.

What Are the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare?

The Five Freedoms outline the fundamental needs that must be met for animals living under human care, including dogs:

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst

2. Freedom from discomfort

3. Freedom from pain, injury, and disease

4. Freedom to express natural behaviours

5. Freedom from fear and distress

Each freedom is essential. When one is compromised, overall welfare suffers.

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst

Dogs must have consistent access to fresh, clean water and a nutritionally complete diet suited to their age, size, health, and activity level.

In practical terms, this means:

• Clean water available at all times

• Balanced nutrition appropriate for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors

• Adjustments for pregnancy, illness, or high activity

• Feeding routines that support digestion and long-term health

Good nutrition is foundational to immune health, energy levels, and longevity.

2. Freedom from Discomfort

Dogs require environments that provide physical comfort and protection.

This includes:

• Shelter from heat, cold, rain, and wind — particularly important in the Australian climate

• Comfortable, clean resting areas

• Safe surfaces that do not cause strain or injury

• Secure homes, yards, and transport

  
  

Chronic discomfort contributes to stress, sleep disruption, and behavioural issues.

3. Freedom from Pain, Injury, and Disease

Dogs must be protected from avoidable pain and receive prompt veterinary care when health concerns arise.

This involves:

• Preventative veterinary care, including vaccinations, parasite control, and dental health

• Early intervention for injury, illness, or mobility changes

• Ongoing health monitoring across a dog’s lifespan

• Use of walking, training, and restraint equipment that does not cause pain or harm

Pain is a welfare issue — not a training tool and not something dogs should be expected to tolerate.

4. Freedom to Express Natural Behaviours

Dogs need the opportunity to behave like dogs.

This means:

• Adequate space to move, explore, and rest

• Opportunities for sniffing, foraging, play, and choice

• Appropriate social interaction with humans and other dogs

• Mental enrichment through force-free training and problem-solving

When dogs are prevented from expressing natural behaviours, frustration and stress often follow.

5. Freedom from Fear and Distress

Dogs must live free from fear, anxiety, intimidation, and psychological harm.

This requires:

• Predictable routines and safe environments

• Access to retreat spaces where dogs can choose distance and rest

• Handling and training that is 100% force-free

• No punishment, coercion, intimidation, or aversive training methods

At Snoot Up, we are clear: Force-free training is not optional — it is essential to animal welfare.

Dogs learn best when they feel safe. Fear suppresses behaviour; it does not teach.

Why the Five Freedoms Matter for Dogs in Australia

Modern dog guardianship in Australia must account for:

• Urban living and limited space

• Hot weather and environmental stressors

• Increased understanding of canine mental health

• Ethical, evidence-based training standards

The Five Freedoms provide a framework to assess whether our choices — from equipment to training methods to daily routines — truly support our dogs’ wellbeing.

Welfare is not about control. It is about choice, safety, and trust. 🩷

Dogs Deserve More Than Care — They Deserve Freedom

Meeting the Five Freedoms means creating lives for our dogs that are not just healthy, but secure, enriched, and humane. When we honour these freedoms, we do more than care for dogs — we advocate for them.