Cancer is a leading cause of death in older companion animals, and welfare-centered oncology seeks to balance treatment effectiveness with quality of life.
Companion animal cancer welfare requires honest conversations between veterinarians and owners about treatment goals. Aggressive treatment that extends life while significantly reducing quality of life does not serve animal welfare. Quality of life assessment tools help owners and veterinarians make treatment decisions that balance potential survival benefits against welfare costs of side effects and treatment procedures. Palliative care that prioritizes comfort, pain management, and quality of remaining life is always a valid choice and often the most welfare-positive one.