Assessment of companion animal quality of life in veterinary practice and research

Quality-of-life (QOL) assessment is a novel field in veterinary medicine. It shares similarities with the more established fields of human QOL assessment and animal welfare science and could prove similarly useful. This paper draws on existing literature on human QOL assessment, animal welfare, philosophy and animal QOL assessment. It provides practical recommendations for QOL assessment in veterinary practice and in veterinary research on what should be assessed, how it should be assessed and who should assess it. These should assist veterinarians intending to develop their use QOL assessment.