As companion animals live longer due to improved veterinary care, quality of life assessment and end-of-life decision-making have become central welfare challenges for owners and vets.
Senior companion animal welfare requires active management of multiple age-related conditions including osteoarthritis, dental disease, cognitive decline, and organ dysfunction. The ability to perform natural behaviors, social interaction, and expression of normal personality are key quality of life indicators. Owners benefit from structured quality of life assessment tools that provide objective frameworks for monitoring welfare over time. The welfare-centered decision to euthanize when quality of life can no longer be maintained is an act of care rather than defeat, and one of the most profound welfare decisions any owner will make.