Euthanasia decisions for companion animals involve complex welfare, emotional, and ethical considerations. Evidence-based quality-of-life assessment can support more timely, welfare-positive decisions.
End-of-life decision-making for companion animals creates a welfare obligation that differs fundamentally from human medicine: owners have the legal authority and moral responsibility to end suffering through euthanasia when quality of life has deteriorated beyond recovery. The welfare risk is not primarily premature euthanasia but delayed euthanasia — keeping animals alive through suffering out of grief or hope for recovery when objective indicators suggest the animal would benefit from a peaceful death. Quality-of-life assessment frameworks help owners make more objective evaluations, and veterinarians who guide these conversations proactively serve animal welfare better than those who leave the decision entirely to owners.