Modern veterinary science uses three primary themes to assess an animal's well-being [9]: Biological Functioning

: Measuring health indicators, physiological functioning, and growth [9, 15]. Naturalness

Animal behavior is a cornerstone of modern veterinary science, acting as a vital diagnostic tool and a primary indicator of animal welfare [1, 7, 11]. Understanding the biological basis of actions allows veterinarians to decode everything from subtle pain signals to complex social structures [21, 23]. The Core of Behavioral Medicine Veterinary behavioral medicine combines

: Recognizing species-typical behavior ensures that patients are handled safely and humanely, reducing stress for both the animal and the medical team [11, 12]. Pain Identification

(the study of animals in nature) with clinical expertise to diagnose and treat behavioral problems [14]. Specialized veterinarians, known as Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorists

: Evaluating if the animal can express its natural behavioral repertoire [9]. Affective State