End-of-life decision-making for cats requires careful welfare assessment to ensure quality of life is maintained and suffering minimised.
End-of-life welfare for cats requires balancing owner emotional needs against animal welfare imperatives. Delayed euthanasia out of owner attachment causes unnecessary suffering in animals unable to communicate their quality of life. Objective quality of life assessment tools help owners make evidence-based decisions separate from emotional attachment. Palliative care that maintains comfort while avoiding futile medical intervention allows meaningful final time without causing additional suffering through aggressive treatment. Veterinary guidance on quality of life assessment and humane euthanasia options supports owners through one of the most significant welfare decisions they will make.