Euthanasia decisions for companion animals require careful quality of life assessment, and supporting owners through the process is a critical component of veterinary welfare practice.
End-of-life decision making for companion animals is a profound welfare responsibility. The bias toward delaying euthanasia - driven by grief, hope, and reluctance to accept loss - is natural but can impose significant suffering on animals whose quality of life has deteriorated beyond a meaningful threshold. Veterinary teams trained in compassionate communication and equipped with validated quality of life assessment tools can support owners in making timely, welfare-centred decisions. Home euthanasia services that allow animals to die in familiar, calm surroundings provide a meaningful final welfare improvement.