End-of-life decisions for companion animals are among the most difficult and welfare-significant choices owners face. Understanding how to assess quality of life helps ensure animals are neither kept alive too long nor euthanised prematurely.
Companion animal end-of-life welfare depends on owners and vets making timely, well-informed decisions about euthanasia and palliative care. The availability of humane euthanasia means that allowing animals to suffer due to owner grief or ambivalence is an avoidable welfare harm. Using validated quality-of-life tools, maintaining honest dialogue with veterinarians, and planning for end-of-life care before crisis point all help ensure animals experience a good death.