Euthanasia decisions for companion animals involve complex welfare, ethical, and emotional dimensions. Understanding quality of life assessment helps owners make informed decisions.
End-of-life welfare for companion animals involves one of the most ethically important decisions owners make. The availability of humane euthanasia - quick, painless, and possible at home - is a genuine welfare advantage of companion animal life compared to wild or farm animals. The welfare failure at end of life is typically delay: owners who cannot face the loss of their animal may keep a suffering pet alive long past the point of welfare-positive existence. Quality of life scales provide objective frameworks for this deeply subjective decision. Veterinarians have a welfare responsibility to provide honest quality of life assessments and to support owners in making timely, welfare-conscious decisions.