A process for regenerating spent multimetal oxide oxidation catalysts from the catalytic gas-phase oxidation of lower organic compounds and which, in fresh form, contain as basic constituents the elements Mo, W, V and Cu in oxidic form, by the action of oxidizing agents or means and solubilizing, aqueous ammonia to which acetic acid and/or the ammonium salt thereof has been added, with subsequent drying and calcination, comprises quantitatively determining the content of metallic constituents during the process and making this content up to the respective original value.