Companion animal hospice and palliative care is an emerging veterinary specialisation focused on maximising quality of life in the final phase of illness, with growing evidence of welfare benefit.
Companion animal hospice care recognises that the final phase of life is a welfare priority, not just a medical countdown to euthanasia. Effective palliative care uses multimodal pain management, anti-nausea medication, anti-anxiety treatment and appetite support to maintain good days. Quality of life monitoring enables owners and vets to make timely euthanasia decisions based on evidence rather than emotional avoidance. The welfare benefit of hospice care is maximising the proportion of life spent in comfort - ensuring that serious illness does not inevitably mean prolonged suffering before death. In-home euthanasia, conducted in the animal's familiar environment by a compassionate vet, represents the most welfare-positive end for many companion animals.