Palliative Care for Dogs and Cats: Providing Comfort in Their Final Chapter

Healthy Paws Mobile Vet | Brisbane & Moreton Bay

As devoted pet parents, we cherish every moment with our furry companions, from their energetic beginnings to their peaceful senior years. When a beloved dog or cat enters the final stages of life or is facing a terminal condition, palliative care offers a gentle, supportive path to help them stay comfortable at home, surrounded by love.

At Healthy Paws Mobile Vet, we offer home visit veterinary care across parts of Brisbane and Moreton Bay, helping families care for their pets with kindness and dignity in the comfort of their own environment. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what palliative care means for pets, how to create comfort at home, and when it might be time to consider end-of-life decisions.

🐾 What is Palliative Care for Pets?

Palliative care focuses on comfort, quality of life, and emotional support, rather than curing illness. It’s often recommended for pets with conditions such as cancer, kidney or heart disease, severe arthritis, or other age-related issues.

Palliative care may include:

• Pain management

• Mobility support

• Symptom relief (e.g., nausea, incontinence)

• Emotional support for both pets and families

• Environmental adjustments to maintain comfort at home

🩺 Signs Your Pet May Benefit from Palliative Care

If you notice any of the following signs, it may be time to talk to your vet about a palliative approach:

• Chronic pain or discomfort (e.g., limping, restlessness, vocalising)

• Mobility struggles (e.g., difficulty standing, slipping, falling)

• Loss of appetite or significant weight changes

• Incontinence or difficulty toileting

• Changes in behaviour such as withdrawal, confusion, or aggression

🏠 Creating a Comfortable Environment at Home

As a mobile vet, we help pet parents make thoughtful changes to the home that can ease discomfort and support wellbeing.

1. Pain Relief

We may prescribe medications such as NSAIDs, gabapentin, or other options tailored to your pet's needs. Some pets benefit from alternative therapies like acupuncture or laser therapy.

2. Mobility Aids

Install non-slip rugs, ramps and steps to assist getting on and off couches/beds, provide soft bedding, and consider using harnesses or slings to help pets move more comfortably.

3. Nutrition

Offer palatable, easy-to-digest meals, warmed slightly to enhance aroma. We can advise on dietary options suited to your pet’s health status.

4. Hygiene

Maintain skin and coat health with gentle grooming and pet-safe wipes. Keep bedding clean and dry to prevent infections or pressure sores.

5. Emotional Comfort

Spend quiet time with your pet. Use calming music, gentle massage, and soothing routines to reduce anxiety.

⚕️ Managing Common Symptoms

Pain

Ongoing assessment is important. Medications may include:

• Meloxicam

• Gabapentin / Pregabalin

• CBD oil (vet-prescribed only)

• Beransa or Solensia injections (for arthritis-speak to your vet to see if this is a suitable option)

• Paracetamol (vet prescribed for dogs only, it’s toxic to cats)

• Ketamine injections (monthly)

Nausea & Appetite Loss

We may recommend anti-nausea medication (e.g. Cerenia, Ondansetron) or appetite stimulants like Mirtazapine.

Incontinence

• Use absorbent bedding

• Ensure regular toileting opportunities

• Maintain hygiene to prevent scalding or distress

Anxiety

Support may include:

• Pheromone diffusers (e.g. Feliway, Adaptyl)

• Safe calming medications (eg; Pregabalin, Gabapentin)

• Routine and quiet spaces

• Gentle and calming music

🐕‍🦺 When to Involve Your Vet

Palliative care works best with regular check-ins to monitor your pet’s comfort and adjust medications or strategies. Reach out to us if:

• Pain worsens or becomes unmanageable

• Appetite drops significantly

• New symptoms appear or ongoing symptoms are not controlled by medications (vomiting, confusion, distress)

• You’re unsure how your pet is coping

• You have any questions or concerns

We’re here to help guide you every step of the way.

🌅 Preparing for End-of-Life Decisions

Making the decision to say goodbye is incredibly difficult. We approach these moments with empathy, respect, and support.

We recommend considering:

• Quality of life scales, like the HHHHHMM Scale, while also tuning into your instincts as a pet parent

• Whether your pet still enjoys their favourite things

• How your pet’s pain, dignity, and comfort are being managed

• Exploring Pet Quality of Life Resources through Love & Toe Beans here

We understand this journey is emotional. Our team offers gentle in-home euthanasia when the time comes, so your pet can pass peacefully in familiar surroundings.

💛 Why In-Home Palliative Care Makes a Difference

Many families tell us they find comfort knowing they’ve done everything possible to support their pet’s final chapter. In-home palliative care:

• Reduces the stress of clinic visits

• Provides comfort in a familiar space

• Helps maintain your pet’s routine

• Allows for quiet, meaningful goodbyes

💚 We’re Here to Help, Every Step of the Way

At Healthy Paws Mobile Vet, we’re more than just your local house call vet. We’re your partners in compassionate care, from diagnosis and treatment, through palliative care and, when the time comes, end-of-life support.

If you’re concerned about your pet’s comfort or think it might be time to talk about palliative care, please reach out. We service pets across Greater Brisbane Region for end of life care through Love & Toe Beans- Brisbane Home Pet Euthanasia Services, and we’re here to support your family with experience, empathy, and heart.

📞 [Contact Healthy Paws Mobile Vet → here]
📚 [Explore End-of-Life Resources with Love & Toe Beans → here]
🐾 [Book a Palliative or Quality of Life Consultation with Love & Toe Beans →here]

With gentle care and respect,
The Healthy Paws Mobile Vet Team
Brisbane & Moreton Bay