Supporting a cat through the end of life requires careful assessment of quality of life and compassionate decision-making. Euthanasia is a final gift when suffering cannot be relieved.
End-of-life care for cats requires a delicate balance between extending life and preventing suffering. The instinct to pursue all possible treatments can conflict with the welfare need to avoid prolonged suffering. Quality of life assessment tools measuring pain, appetite, hygiene, happiness, mobility, and good days versus bad days help owners and vets make decisions together. A good death is an important welfare consideration, and choosing euthanasia before suffering becomes unrelievable is an act of love rather than giving up.