Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs, and welfare-focused management balancing treatment benefit against burden is increasingly central to veterinary oncology.
Cancer welfare management requires honest ongoing assessment of the balance between treatment benefit and burden. Chemotherapy for canine lymphoma achieves remission in most cases with minimal toxicity, representing a positive welfare option. Limb-sparing surgery and chemotherapy for osteosarcoma extends life but the overall prognosis remains poor, requiring careful quality of life assessment. The welfare of dogs with advanced cancer that is poorly responsive to treatment may be better served by excellent palliative care than by continued aggressive treatment. The emotional attachment of owners to their dogs can lead to continued treatment that prolongs dying rather than living. Transparent veterinary communication about prognosis and quality of life is central to welfare-positive cancer management.