End-of-life care for cats requires thoughtful assessment of quality of life and timely decision-making to prevent unnecessary suffering.
Feline end-of-life decision-making is complicated by the cat's tendency to conceal suffering, which means quality of life may be more compromised than visible signs suggest. Cats that continue to eat, even minimally, are often perceived as managing better than they are. Quality of life assessment tools that evaluate pain, hygiene, appetite, mobility, happiness, and overall more-good-days-than-bad provide a structured framework for making decisions that prioritize the cat's welfare over the owner's emotional needs. The timing of euthanasia is one of the most important welfare decisions an owner makes — too late prolongs suffering, too early ends life prematurely. Regular veterinary assessment in the final months of a cat's life provides professional support for these decisions.