“Learning to Live Without Him in My Home When a Piece of My Heart Went with Him”: End-of-Life Decision-Making Experiences of Companion Animal Caregivers

As companion animals approach end of life, their caregivers often face complex decisions that require balancing their pet’s quality of life, relief from suffering, potential medical interventions, financial and resource barriers, and the difficult question of whether and when to pursue euthanasia. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how companion animal caregivers experience end-of-life decision-making for their pet and the care they received from their veterinary team. The study examined the experiences of 143 pet caregivers who responded to an online survey between September and December 2025. Data collection included caregiver’s responses to four open-ended prompts inquiring about their experiences with their pet’s end-of-life. Questions explored what they regarded as the most challenging and meaningful aspects, regrets they held about their pet’s death, and advice for veterinarians about how best to support pet owners in their pet’s final moments. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Results highlighted caregivers’ distress surrounding decisions about whether and when they should pursue euthanasia. Caregivers described balancing multiple considerations in their decision-making, including their pet’s overall welfare, the needs and perspectives of family members, resource constraints, access to specialized veterinary care, and their own caregiving fatigue. Their responses demonstrated grief, regret, guilt, and meaning making. Veterinarians’ compassion, transparency, and forward-thinking enabled caregivers to plan for rituals and meaningful death experiences for their pets and their families. Suggestions for veterinary care emphasized the importance of relationship-centered care in addition to technical expertise. Veterinary end-of-life care should prioritize empathy, early and transparent communication, and opportunities for cherished time during the pet’s final moments.