Euthanasia

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) supports the practice of euthanasia of companion animals in practice when a sufficiently good quality of life cannot be maintained.

The BSAVA does not support perpetuation of an animal’s life when the expectation that it will suffer outweighs the likely benefits of treatment options.

The BSAVA supports the autonomy of the practitioner to refuse euthanasia for mere convenience when there are alternative options such as the owner signing the animal over to the veterinary surgeon or a rescue organisation. However, the decision to euthanise the animal should be appropriate to the actual situation and realistic prospects of the animal. This may include the limitations of the owner to provide further treatment, and the limitations of rescue centres to rehome animals.

The BSAVA recommends that euthanasia, the act of producing painless death, is best performed by the injection of an overdose of a barbiturate solution, under the direction of a veterinary surgeon. For dogs and cats, intravenous injection is preferable where safe and reliable, with options such as intracavity or intra-organ injection only used where i/v is not possible. Pre-visit pharmaceuticals given by the owner at home, or sedative injections given by the vet on arrival may be used to limit anxiety and fear of the animal and ensure safety of all involved. If intracavitary barbiturate injection is required, deep sedation is advised due to pain associated with tissue irritation. Other methods are not recommended except in emergency situations where euthanasia on the grounds of animal welfare is necessary.

February 2026

The act of euthanasia should aim to avoid suffering, including pain and distress, while also achieving a timely death without undue delay.

Eatwell K (2012) How to euthanise a reptile. Companion. 2, 14-17.

Considerations regarding euthanasia or treatment of wildlife casualties:
Veterinary Association for Wildlife Management: Treatment and rehabilitation of animals in the wild
AVMA Guidelines for the euthanasia of wildlife

Webster J (1994) Animal Welfare: A Cool Eye Towards Eden. Blackwell: Oxford, UK

Yeates J (2009) Death is a Welfare Issue. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics. 23(3): 229-240. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10806-009-9199-9

Yeates J (2010) Ethical aspects of euthanasia of owned animals. In Practice. 32: 70-73. https://doi.org/10.1136/inp.c516

Yeates J (2011) Is ‘a life worth living’ a concept worth having? Animal Welfare. 20: 397-406

Yeates J & Main DCJ (2011) Veterinary opinions on refusing euthanasia: Justifications and Philosophical Frameworks. Veterinary Record. 168: 263-5. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.c6352

Reviewed by members of BSAVA Scientific Committee (Nikki Bentley, Rachel Casey, Gillian Diesel, Ben Garland, Peter Graham, Rachel Lumbis, Jasmine Malm, Michael Rampersad, Caroline Scobie and James Warland), February 2026