End-of-life decisions for companion animals require careful assessment of quality of life, pain management, and the timing of euthanasia. Supporting good deaths is a fundamental animal welfare responsibility.
The end of a companion animal life is a profoundly important welfare moment. Animals cannot consent to treatment or express their suffering in words, making owner and veterinary judgement critical. The ability to provide a peaceful death when quality of life is irreversibly poor is one of the most significant welfare advantages companion animals have over humans. Yet many animals spend their final weeks or months in unnecessary suffering because owners cannot face the decision. Normalising quality-of-life conversations early in serious illness helps owners make timely, compassionate decisions.