Assessment of bovine welfare: Evolution towards the approach from the 5 Domains

Positive animal welfare (PAW) is a relatively recent concept that focuses on enhancing animals' mental well-being by emphasizing positive experiences. The objective of this review was to describe the indicators used in bovine welfare protocols, identify the domains considered, and establish a proposal focused on indicators to assess positive welfare. It was identified that the protocols require excessive evaluation times, are qualified by granting a single score, and do not allow for regional adaptations based on the critical conditions that may exist in different countries. Furthermore, the existing protocols primarily focus on the first 3 domains (nutrition, physical environment, and health), while giving less importance to recording the behavior and mental state of the animals. A series of indicators was specified to promote positive well-being, focusing on the domains of physical environment and behavioral interactions. These indicators emphasize comfort, environmental quality, social interactions, sensory stimulation, and nutritional enrichment. In conclusion, it is necessary to include a comprehensive diagnosis of the mental state of animals to identify shortcomings and propose improvements that contribute to enhancing the quality of life for animals.