End-of-life decision making for dogs involves quality of life assessment, timely euthanasia when appropriate, and support for owners navigating this difficult welfare responsibility.
Dog end-of-life welfare requires honest quality of life assessment that places the animal interest above owner emotional readiness. The availability of humane euthanasia is a profound welfare advantage companion animals have over their wild counterparts. Dogs kept alive beyond the point of adequate quality of life out of owner reluctance are experiencing an ongoing welfare harm. Conversely, premature euthanasia driven by cost or owner inconvenience rather than genuine quality of life failure is also a welfare concern. Veterinarians who support owners through structured quality of life discussions and provide timely end-of-life care deliver one of the most important welfare services in companion animal medicine.