Our panel of experts reveals how proactive care, nutrition, and emotional wellness are revolutionizing modern pet health routines.
Preston R. Buff, Ph.D., Dipl. ACAN
Principal Scientist, Nutrition and Animal Safety, Post Consumer Brands
What are the most common misconceptions pet owners have about maintaining their pets’ overall wellness?
Many pet parents are challenged with maintaining an ideal body condition for their pets. Keeping your pet in an ideal body condition is key to helping maintain a healthy pet. It is easy to overfeed and overtreat our pets when they look at us lovingly, perhaps gesturing for a treat. The right nutrition starts with providing the appropriate number of calories in their diet. The first step to helping pet parents maintain an ideal body condition is to follow the feeding guidelines on their pet food package. The feeding amounts in these guidelines are calculated to provide the calories and nutrients needed daily by body size. When we feed treats or additional food to our pets, we are also providing more calories. When it comes to treating, a good rule of thumb is to limit the daily treat intake to 10% or less of their total daily calories. Then, make sure to adjust their main meal to decrease the amount in accordance to the treats given. When I feed my pet treats, I like to break them into smaller pieces and give them throughout the day instead of giving one larger treat. This way, I can have more treating occasions without giving excess calories.
How can pet owners take a more proactive approach to preventive care for their animals?
When it comes to being proactive about pet health, nutrition is at the forefront. I recommend pet parents feed a complete and balanced diet designed to meet the needs of their pet. One of the most important things you can do is feed a pet food designed for the species, life stage, breed size, and lifestyle of your pet. Feeding your pet to maintain a healthy body condition will help reduce the risk of health impacts from being overweight or obese. An ideal body condition is one that is not too thin or too heavy. To assess your pet’s body condition, you should look at a few key parts of the body. When evaluating your pet, you should be able to feel their ribs easily without excess fat coverage. They should have a slight tuck behind the ribcage in their abdominal area, forming a waist. Cats will form an abdominal fat pad as they age; this should be minimal. With long-haired pets, you will need to feel these areas as they are not as easily observable. In addition to the right diet, exercise is important to help maintain a healthy pet. Taking your pet for walks and playtime is important to maintain a healthy body.
What role does mental and emotional well-being play in a pet’s health, and how can owners support this?
Our pets’ mental well-being does play a role in their overall health, and there are some things you can do to support this. Dogs and cats thrive with a routine, and keeping to a daily schedule will aid in supporting their mental well-being and overall health. The circadian rhythm is the biological time clock that triggers various hormone release, which regulates many biological functions in the body, such as eating patterns, sleep regulation, digestion, and body temperature. Keeping to a set schedule for feeding, exercise, and sleep for your pet will help maintain the circadian rhythm.
My daily routine is to take my pets for a walk first thing every morning, followed by breakfast and quality time together before starting my day. My pets spend most of the day sleeping while I am working or doing other things. Dogs and cats sleep more hours per day than humans, and allowing them to have the time to rest is important to helping keep them healthy. Our evening routine is playtime outdoors with the dogs and cats, allowing them time to frolic together in the garden before dinner. After dinner, it’s more quality time together. Dogs are pack animals that thrive when they are with their pack, and they consider you as part of their pack. Cats are similar in that they enjoy spending time with you, but on their own terms. Spending quality time with your pets is not only good for your mental well-being, but it also supports your pet’s well-being.
Are there any emerging trends or innovations in pet wellness you’re particularly excited about?
One of the emerging technologies I am excited about is the area of biotics. These include probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics. Much of the research with pets is focused on digestive health, which is also related to overall health. Probiotics are the live microorganisms that reside in or on the body, and they produce various substances that promote health. Probiotics can be fed to dogs and cats, and when consumed in adequate amounts, they can provide health benefits by maintaining a healthy balance of good versus bad bacteria in your pet’s digestive system. Prebiotics are certain types of fermentable fiber that the probiotics use as fuel to produce short-chain fatty acids that benefit the digestive and immune systems. Postbiotics are the substances produced by probiotics that are harvested from the fermentation process and then consumed. These can provide health benefits when fed in the appropriate amounts.
Jessica Vogelsang, D.V.M.
Chief Veterinary Officer, American Animal Hospital Association
What are the most common misconceptions pet owners have about maintaining their pets’ overall wellness?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that pets only need veterinary care when something seems wrong. In reality, many diseases progress silently, and by the time symptoms appear, the condition may already be advanced. Regular wellness exams help us detect and address issues early, before they become serious or costly. Pets are great at hiding subtle symptoms! Another common myth is that indoor pets don’t need vaccinations or parasite prevention. These pets still face risks and benefit greatly from preventive care tailored to their lifestyle.
How can pet owners take a more proactive approach to preventive care for their animals?
The best thing owners can do is schedule annual or semiannual wellness visits with their veterinarian. These checkups go beyond vaccines — they include a physical exam, early disease screening, nutrition guidance, and behavioral advice. Keeping up with dental cleanings, parasite prevention, and weight management is also essential. Think of it as investing in your pet’s future. Proactive care helps pets live longer, healthier lives.
What role does mental and emotional well-being play in a pet’s health, and how can owners support this?
Just like people, pets thrive when their emotional needs are met. Stress, boredom, or anxiety can lead to behavioral issues and even physical illness. Providing mental enrichment through play, training, socialization, and a stable routine supports a pet’s emotional well-being. Don’t underestimate the power of regular interaction and a safe, predictable environment — it’s a critical part of whole-pet wellness.
Are there any emerging trends or innovations in pet wellness you’re particularly excited about?
One exciting area is the use of wearable health monitors for pets, which can track activity, sleep, and vital signs, giving both veterinarians and owners better insight into daily health patterns. We’re also seeing more personalized medicine, including genetic testing and tailored nutrition. Telehealth continues to expand access to care, making it easier for you to stay in touch with your trusted veterinarian. These tools, combined with a strong relationship with a trusted veterinary team, are transforming how we care for pets.
Viktoria Van Leeuwen
Founder, BestLife4Pets
What are the most common misconceptions pet owners have about maintaining their pets’ overall wellness?
One major misconception pet owners have is the belief that a pet is healthy simply because they aren’t visibly sick. Many pet parents wait for symptoms to appear before taking action, relying heavily on medications (typically conventional, veterinarian-prescribed drugs) to manage issues rather than supporting the entire animal’s system preventatively. However, real wellness isn’t just about reacting — it’s about preventing illness in the first place.
Another widespread belief is that natural, homeopathic remedies are too slow, woo-woo, or ineffective. In truth, these natural treatments work subtly but deeply to restore balance and address the root cause of the issue, not just the symptoms. With so many pets now developing allergies, joint pain, and even liver/kidney issues at a younger age, it’s time we rethink what proactive, whole-body care truly means.
How can pet owners take a more proactive approach to preventive care for their animals?
Preventive care isn’t a once-a-year vet visit; it’s a daily commitment to your pet’s long-term health and happiness.
It involves:
- Feeding a high-quality, species-appropriate, nutrient-rich diet
- Detoxifying from over-vaccination, medications, and environmental toxins
- Daily immune support
- Paying attention to subtle changes like energy levels, coat condition, appetite, or sleep patterns. These are early indicators of underlying health concerns.
Prevention isn’t passive. Your pet’s body is always talking, and it’s up to us to pay attention to their behavior, their mood, and any physical changes so we can take action before small imbalances turn into bigger problems.
What role does mental and emotional well-being play in a pet’s health, and how can owners support this?
Mental and emotional well-being play a massive role in a pet’s health. Stress, anxiety, and emotional trauma don’t just affect behavior, they directly impact the immune system, digestion, and even skin health.
Things like separation anxiety, loud noises, or changes in the household (even seemingly positive ones) can cause very real physical symptoms in pets. The good news is you can help by:
- Maintaining predictable routines so that pets feel safe
- Mental stimulation and enrichment (especially for indoor animals)
- Using natural remedies designed to calm and support the nervous system
- Exploring gentle holistic treatments like acupuncture, massage, or energy work, which are becoming increasingly recognized for their effectiveness in providing whole body support
We’re finally seeing more vets incorporate behavioral wellness into routine care discussions, with many now recommending massage, chiropractors, and acupuncture as complementary treatments. This is a big win for pets and their owners.
Are there any emerging trends or innovations in pet wellness you’re particularly excited about?
I’ve never been more excited about where pet care is heading. We’re moving beyond symptom management and embracing full-spectrum, personalized wellness. Some of the most promising innovations include:
- Tailored nutrition and supplements based on breed, genetics, and lifestyle. This is an exciting shift focusing on functional wellness tailored to the individual pet’s predispositions and current state.
- Homeopathic micro-dosing combined with frequency medicine (like PEMF collars or vibrational sprays), which is especially gaining ground in Europe and holistic clinics in North America.
- Integrative vet practices that combine diagnostics like bloodwork and imaging with herbal and homeopathic treatment plans. Owners are no longer forced to choose between “natural” and “conventional.”
- Smart wellness tools, such as interactive brain games that help reduce stress and late-stage dementia, to trackers that monitor mood, sleep, and activity
- Food as medicine, with a growing number of pet parents choosing real, human-grade ingredients to nourish and heal
We’re entering an era where we don’t just treat illness — we build resilience, vitality, and joy into our pets’ daily lives. That, to me, is the true definition of health.
