WSAVA creates practical guide for preventive pet care

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has released the Principles of Wellness toolkit—a comprehensive resource that veterinary professionals can share with clients to help them best care for and meet the needs of their pet. The 20-page guide outlines key practices across 6 areas of pet care, detailing best practices caregivers should adopt at home and what should be addressed during veterinary visits to help pet caregivers practice preventive care throughout each stage of a pet’s life.

“The truth is, pets may not show signs of illness until it’s too late,” Jim Berry, president of WSAVA, said in a news release . 1 “That’s why prevention and proactive care are important. These principles give caregivers the tools to act early and work with their veterinarian to help provide a healthy life for their pet.”

The guide contains a section on each of the following: primary care, nutrition, dermatology, parasite control, vaccination, and welfare. In each section, a definition of each term and the goal of the essential area are provided.

In the Primary Care section, the toolkit addresses examinations, risk assessments, and appropriate testing for various scenarios, including aging pets, high-risk patients, those starting new medications or showing behavioral changes, and more. For dermatology, the guide covers skin and coat health, signs to watch out for, and additional guidance tailored for animals with unique skin or coats, allergies, long hair, and those that shed.

Guidance on transitioning pets to a new food and helping them accept it are also provided, as well as the risks of nontraditional diets. Additionally, the guide covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, Leishmania, core/noncore vaccines, adverse vaccine reactions, disease monitoring, microchips, and more.

Additional resources from the global Parasite Councils on testing for worms, internal parasites, and vector-borne diseases are also provided. Moreover, advice from the American Association of Feline Practitioners and International Cat Care of retroviral testing is included. A chart on a cat’s and dog’s stages of life, as well as information on urinalysis, can also be found in the guide.

“Caring for a pet shouldn’t be confusing or overwhelming,” Carel du Marchie Sarvaas, executive director of HealthforAnimals, said in a WSAVA release.1 “We’re proud to support the Principles of Wellness as they can help pet owners work with a veterinary professional to make informed decisions.”

According to the guide, “the Principles of Wellness are most valuable when used by a caregiver and veterinary professional working as a team.”2

Still, many pets continue to be at risk for preventable conditions. In the United Kingdom, vaccination rates have fallen in recent years for both cats and dogs.1 In the US, meanwhile, vaccine hesitancy poses a growing concern, mirroring negative attitudes toward human vaccination.1,3 Furthermore, weight continues to be a concern for cats and dogs: One in 4 dogs and 2 in 5 cats show being overweight or obese, according to a recent US survey.1

“The foundation of good pet health is a strong relationship between a caregiver and their veterinarian. Together, they can understand a pet’s health needs and work to prevent problems before they occur. Everyone can be on the same page to uphold pet wellness,” the Principles of Wellness document reads.2

References

1. New global wellness toolkit aims to help pet owners keep their dogs and cats healthier, longer. News release. World Small Animal Veterinary Association. June 2, 2025. Accessed June 12, 2025. https://wsava.org/updates/principles-of-wellness/#:~:text='Principles%20of%20Wellness'%20provide%20best,charge%20of%20their%20pets'%20health.
2. Principles of Wellness. World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Accessed June 12, 2025. https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Principles-of-Wellness-FINAL.pdf
3. Motta M, Motta G, Stecula D. Sick as a dog? the prevalence, politicization, and health policy consequences of canine vaccine hesitancy (CVH). Vaccine. 2023;41(41):5946-5950. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.08.059