Can we learn from our dogs about dying?

Margaret Battin – Distinguished Professor, University of Utah; Robin Downing – The Downing Center

Abstract: Humans form deep emotional bonds with pets, often considering them family. Advances in veterinary medicine mirror human healthcare, yet end-of-life care differs significantly. Many remark that “we treat our dogs better than ourselves when it comes to dying,” prompting an exploration of why that may be.
In veterinary medicine, euthanasia is a widely accepted, compassionate way to prevent animal suffering. Veterinarians guide owners in recognizing when it is time to let go, as companion animals have shorter lifespans, making this decision a frequent reality. The message is clear: when a pet is suffering with no chance of recovery, euthanasia is the humane choice.
No direct parallel exists in human medicine. Patients can express their end-of-life preferences, while animals cannot. Physicians, typically life-affirming, provide palliative care, offering measures such as withdrawing treatment which may shorten life, or palliative sedation when time is short and symptoms are intractable. However, physicians rarely help patients determine the best time to die, as veterinarians do for animals. The closest analogy is medical aid in dying, which is available to few and used rarely.
The difference isn’t just that dogs receive euthanasia—it’s that veterinarians engage in explicit conversations about when death is most appropriate. For a variety of reasons, human medicine may avoid offering such guidance, although providing thoughtful, accurate, well-informed recommendations could help patients make truly autonomous choices about their own end-of-life care.

Keywords: End-of-life care, Veterinary medicine, Palliative Care