Cancer is a leading cause of death in dogs and cats over age ten, and palliative and integrative care approaches focus on maintaining quality of life through the disease trajectory.
Companion animal cancer welfare requires navigating the tension between extending life and maintaining quality of life. Aggressive treatment that causes significant suffering for uncertain benefit may not be welfare-optimal even when technically possible. Palliative approaches that prioritize comfort, pain management, and positive experiences can provide excellent welfare while acknowledging the terminal nature of the disease. The welfare-centered framework places animal quality of life ahead of owner wishes to extend time together, requiring honest conversations between veterinarians and owners about what treatment means for the animal.