Veterinary Research operates a single-blind peer-review system, where the reviewers are aware of the names and affiliations of the authors, but the reviewer reports provided to authors are anonymous. The benefit of single-blind peer review is that it is the traditional model of peer review that many reviewers are comfortable with, and it facilitates a dispassionate critique of a manuscript.

Before being sent to reviewers, manuscripts are pre-screened by the editorial office to check that they agree with the criteria for publishing in Veterinary Research: accordance with the aims and scope of the journal, nature of the study, originality of the results, quantity and quality of data, general conclusions, and presentation of the work with a good quality of English language. If the paper does not fulfill these criteria, it may be rejected at this stage without review.

Manuscripts deemed suitable for review will be sent to a minimum of two experts chosen by the Editors-in-Chief, and possibly a statistical reviewer if necessary, to determine originality, scientific merit, and significance to the field. Reviewers are asked to declare any competing interests they may have in reviewing a manuscript. Only papers of high quality and novelty and of general significance are published. If minor revisions are recommended by the reviewers, authors are expected to make the appropriate revisions within one month. For manuscripts requiring major revisions, the revised version must be sent to the Editorial Office within two months (four months if additional data are needed). Revised manuscripts may be reviewed a second time. Revised manuscripts that are received after the deadline will not be considered.

The journal aims for a first decision to be made within eight weeks of receipt of the submission and the Editors-in-Chief make the final decision on publication.