End-of-life decision-making for cats is one of the most difficult aspects of cat ownership. Evidence-based frameworks that center animal welfare help owners make compassionate, timely decisions.
The welfare of a dying or seriously ill cat depends on owners having the information and emotional support to act in the cat's best interest. Delayed euthanasia - continuing because of owner grief rather than remaining cat quality of life - is a common source of preventable suffering. Regular quality of life scoring provides objective data that counteracts the tendency to see improvement that may not exist. Veterinarians who initiate end-of-life conversations proactively and without judgment enable better decisions. The ability to provide in-home euthanasia represents a major welfare advance - a peaceful death in familiar surroundings is far preferable to a frightening final journey.