Managing pain in companion animals at end of life requires proactive assessment and multimodal approaches to ensure animals do not suffer unnecessarily in their final weeks.
End-of-life pain management in companion animals requires both medical expertise and compassionate communication with owners. Animals cannot self-report pain severity, and stoicism — especially in prey species like rabbits and birds — can mask significant suffering. Regular quality of life assessment using validated tools helps owners and veterinarians make objective decisions. The availability of effective multimodal analgesia means most end-of-life pain can be controlled, and euthanasia when pain cannot be managed represents a profound welfare gift.