End-of-Life Behaviors in Pets and Their Association with Human Terminal Lucidity: An Owner-Reported Survey in Thailand

Abstract: Currently, Thailand has a high pet ownership rate, with the registered pet population reaching 5.8 million, excluding unregistered animals. Compared to the total human population in Thailand, this accounts for a ratio of approximately 1 in 11.4. Pet owners often form strong emotional bonds with their pets, treating them as family members or their own children. However, pets—primarily dogs and cats—have an average lifespan of only 13 years. When pets become ill or approach the end of their lives, some owners observe behavioral changes that are often interpreted as a final farewell, similar to the "terminal lucidity" phenomenon observed in humans. This research aims to examine the behavioral patterns of pets prior to their death and the relationship between owners and their pets. A survey methodology was conducted using a questionnaire administered to owners of deceased pets. The questionnaire comprised four main sections: basic pet demographic data, pet behavioral patterns prior to death, the degree of the owner-pet relationship, and the owners' perceptions regarding their pets' behaviors. The findings indicate that a majority of respondents reported a high level of owner-pet relationship (53.49%), which corresponded with a high to highest degree of observable behavioral changes in pets (39.59%–46.51%). Although 53.49% of owners did not perceive the behavioral changes specifically as a "farewell" and 60.47% did not observe a noticeable temporary improvement in their pets' condition before death, they still recognized behavioral shifts indicating the pets were attempting to communicate something. Therefore, diligent observation of pet behavior by owners may facilitate the early detection of illness or injury, enabling timely intervention before it is too late. Keywords: Human-Animal Bond, Pre-Death Pet Behavior, Terminal Lucidity, End-of-Life Pet Care, Pet-Owner Communication. Title: End-of-Life Behaviors in Pets and Their Association with Human Terminal Lucidity: An Owner-Reported Survey in Thailand Author: Kwanchanok Pengthong, Siriphitcha Arthan International Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online) Vol. 14, Issue 4, October 2026 - December 2026 Page No: 43-47 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 27-October-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23688224 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/end-of-life-behaviors-in-pets-and-their-association-with-human-terminal-lucidity-an-owner-reported-survey-in-thailand