Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Cujo. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Donna Trenton and her four-year-old son Tad are trapped for days in their broken-down car by Cujo, a rabid Saint Bernard. Donna finally kills the dog with a baseball bat, but Tad has died of dehydration and heatstroke before she can get him out.
Quick facts
– Book: Cujo by Stephen King
– First published: 1981
– Type: A horror novel
– Tone of the ending: Devastating
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Cujo, a gentle Saint Bernard, is bitten by a rabid bat. Donna takes her Ford Pinto to the remote Camber farm for repairs. The Cambers are away, and Cujo, now mad, has killed Joe Camber and his neighbour.
What Happens at the End of Cujo
Over three days in the July heat, Donna cannot start the car, and Cujo attacks whenever she opens the door, biting her badly. Her husband Vic, away on business, slowly realizes something is wrong. Sheriff George Bannerman finally comes to the Camber farm, and Cujo kills him. Donna, desperate as Tad weakens, gets out with a baseball bat and fights the dog, breaking the bat and stabbing him with its jagged handle until he dies. When she pulls Tad from the car, he has already died of dehydration. Vic arrives minutes later. Donna is treated for rabies and the couple try to rebuild their marriage. The epilogue notes that Cujo was a good dog who never chose what happened to him, and Charity Camber buys her son Brett a new puppy.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Tad dies.
- Donna kills Cujo.
- The ending is bleak.
- The film changed it.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Donna Trenton | Survives |
| Tad Trenton | Dies |
| Cujo | Killed by Donna |
| Vic Trenton | Arrives too late |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the randomness of tragedy.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers find Tad's death one of King's most shocking moments. The novel, written as one long block without chapters, makes the siege feel relentless.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Fear. Fear grips Donna.
Chance. Random events cause disaster.
Family. The Trentons are tested.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Cujo as devastating. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Stephen King to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are devastating will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Stephen King closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1983 film lets Tad survive.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Cujo with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about fear, and do you agree with Stephen King's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as devastating, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces fear and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Stephen King leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Cujo often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Cujo earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Books to Read After Cujo
- Pet Sematary by Stephen King
- Misery by Stephen King
Related: Cujo by Stephen King: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Cujo You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Cujo?
Donna Trenton and her four-year-old son Tad are trapped for days in their broken-down car by Cujo, a rabid Saint Bernard. Donna finally kills the dog with a baseball bat, but Tad has died of dehydration and heatstroke before she can get him out.
Is the ending of Cujo happy or sad?
Most readers call it devastating.
What does the ending of Cujo mean?
The ending shows the randomness of tragedy.
Is the ending of Cujo the same in the adaptation?
The 1983 film lets Tad survive.
Who wrote Cujo and when was it published?
Cujo was written by Stephen King and first published in 1981.
Is Cujo worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy horror novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Stephen King prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Cujo before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.