Cancer is a leading cause of death in dogs, affecting approximately 1 in 4 over their lifetimes. Immunotherapy — harnessing the immune system to fight tumors — is transforming treatment options and welfare outcomes.
Cancer treatment decisions in dogs involve complex welfare trade-offs. Aggressive treatment may extend life but cause significant suffering from side effects; palliative care may prioritize comfort over longevity. Immunotherapy shifts this balance by potentially offering tumor control with less treatment-associated suffering than chemotherapy or radiation. Quality of life assessment tools for dogs with cancer are increasingly being used to help owners and veterinarians make informed, welfare-centered decisions. The shared research benefits between human and canine oncology also mean that funding canine cancer research advances welfare for both species — an unusual alignment of scientific and ethical interests.