When To Put Your Dog To Sleep – Sophia Gillis has worked professionally with dogs and cats for over 13 years as a dog behaviorist, veterinarian and practice manager.
Sophia now runs her own business in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs with her trusted team, offering behavioral advice and dog training, as well as a dog day care service focusing on managed relationships in the community.
When To Put Your Dog To Sleep
How do you know when to put your dog down? It’s a question that all pet parents dread – and one day, one day, we’ll have to ask ourselves.
Knowing When To Put Your Dog Down
Before I became a dog behaviorist, I was a veterinarian and practice manager for 11 years. And one of the hardest parts of the job was helping clients make the call no one wants to make – deciding when to get their beloved pet out.
To help you decide when it’s the right time to put your dog to sleep, I’ve put together a list of questions to ask yourself based on your dog’s health and personal circumstances.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about pet euthanasia so you know what to expect when the time comes.
By sharing my personal experience as a pet owner and my professional experience as a veterinarian, my goal is to help you make a compassionate and informed decision about your best friend.
Should I Put My Dog’s Crate In My Bedroom?
These include senior dogs who have reached their prime, chronic illnesses, and avoiding pain and suffering for a long time.
There are situations where putting your dog to sleep is the only humane action you can take, such as when your dog:
Your vet will give you guidance based on your dog’s quality of life, but ultimately it’s up to you to make the call.
Here’s a list of signs to look for and questions to ask to help you determine when it’s time to put your dog to sleep.
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Your dog may not have many teeth, or may have poor vision and hearing, and that’s okay.
Do they try to lift their head or stand upright to eat, or hold food down without throwing it back?
If your dog has stomach problems and has persistent painful diarrhea or constipation – or difficulty urinating – this can cause him a lot of pain.
Can your dog walk without assistance? Will they be able to support their body weight to walk slowly through the park, smelling different patches of grass and tree trunks?
Dog Sleeping Positions Meanings & Chart: 10 Positions Explained
By sniffing things, they gather a lot of information – which ultimately provides great comfort and joy and reduces dogs’ anxiety.
Yes, your dog may still be alive. They can spend more and more time in their cozy dog bed, under the warm blankets I put around them, surrounded by their favorite toys.
You would be happy to hand feed them, give them their daily medication and help lift them when they need to go to the bathroom.
Do they still squeal or bark with excitement when they see you coming home from work?
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Do they still wag their tails looking forward when they are walking, perhaps on foot or walking a pet?
I took care of Bagel, my lhasa apso, Nellie, my x border collie, and Mrs. Fifi, my tabby cat – and I saw them at the ripe old age of 16.5, 16.5, and 17.5.
Together, they had various diseases: heart valve disease, osteoarthritis, idiopathic vestibular syndrome, and canine and feline cognitive dysfunction (the canine equivalent of dementia).
Many changes have been made in my life for this to happen. I was happy to do this, but I can’t deny that it brought a significant amount of stress and heartache.
How To Tell If My Dog Is Depressed
I was their only supplier working long hours, 7 days a week. This meant I had to enlist the help of several people to check on them from time to time to make sure they weren’t stuck behind a door or trapped in a gall bladder.
Mental retardation in dogs is also painful to witness. As a disease that causes cognitive changes in the brain, it leads to loss of memory, motor functions and learned behavior.
Your pet may forget its place and walk in circles or press its forehead against the wall. They may stand and stare into the distance for a long time or lick the air over their water bowl.
Seeing this is confusing and can be emotional. And although it is possible to organize your life and home to create a safe environment for your pet, it is still an important question to consider.
How To Get A Puppy To Sleep Through The Night
Some dogs can stand and tolerate pain well, but that doesn’t mean they don’t experience pain every day.
For example, if your dog has severe anxiety and attachment issues, putting him in a hospital crate while waiting for vet care can cause him a lot of stress.
Similarly, if your dog is active and doesn’t want to be handled, getting him on a regular blood draw or intravenous fluid pump can be difficult.
– Can I care for my elderly dog with medical problems and high needs?
Where Is The Best Place To Put My Dog’s Bed?
Everyone’s financial situation and lifestyle is different. No one should judge you if you openly admit that you struggle with multiple commitments.
You love your dog and are devoted to it. Give them love and care throughout their lives.
But… you have a full-time job or you have young children who demand a lot of your time. Perhaps you are dealing with the current economic crisis and are having financial problems.
Or maybe you have gotten sick yourself and are physically unable to care for your dog as much as you can.
Things To Be Mindful Of As You Approach Putting Down Your Dog
Sometimes, unfortunately, this is a fact of life. It’s easy to point the finger at others, but no decent pet parent makes the decision to euthanize their dog lightly.
– Am I keeping my dog alive for my benefit? Or do I keep my dog alive because he still seems happy?’
Regardless of the circumstances, the thought of leaving a dog at any point in his life is terrifying. And unfortunately, no one can truly prepare for the inevitable loss of their pet.
The plain truth is that the cycle of life has a beginning and an end. And as empathetic humans, we are in a unique position to help recognize when our pets are.
Signs To Put Your Dog To Sleep
But here’s the bottom line: Delaying the final goodbye can cause long-term pain and suffering for your beloved pet.
If you’re making the difficult—but compassionate—decision to euthanize your dog, making an appointment with a euthanasia professional is usually a two-step process.
A veterinarian is the best person to assess your dog’s quality of life. They will address any ongoing ailments your dog may have and their level of discomfort or pain.
After that, talking to your family about mentally preparing them for the loss of your pet is very important.
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Humane pet euthanasia is a selective process that allows an animal to pass away painlessly, compassionately, and peacefully.
This procedure is usually done in a veterinarian’s office. They are usually given a light sedative before a large catheter is inserted into the front leg and an overdose of anesthesia is given.
Humane euthanasia is for pets that are sick or at the end of their lives. Not for those who want to rehome a dog.
Asking a vet to help your dog in recovery is not something that vets agree to do as it is against legal guidelines and regulations as part of their vet oath.
Signs A Dog Is Dying & How To Comfort Your Pup
If you are sleeping your pet at the vet, it is a good idea to bring a dog bed or blanket to keep them comfortable.
Upon arrival, you will be taken to a consultation room and given a consent form to kill the animal. This gives your veterinarian legal permission to perform the procedure.
Although you shouldn’t bring home the body of a dead animal, veterinarians won’t stop you from doing so.
It is recommended that you dig a grave at least 3 feet deep in an area that is inaccessible to other pets.
Decide When To Put Your Dog To Sleep
If you want to bury your pet at home, you may want to consider these burial packages.
Here, your dog’s body is taken to a crematorium and cremated humanely along with other pets that have been removed.
A private cremation is where your dog is cremated separately from other pets and his ashes are returned to you within a week or two.
You will be given a variety of pet memorial sites to choose from, as well as a personal drawing or quote that is meaningful for the loss of a pet.
Euthanasia And How To Say Goodbye To Your Dog
After the pet euthanasia consent form is signed, the veterinarian will take your dog into the treatment room.
There, a catheter is inserted into their forearm to allow easy access to their veins. Your vet will do it
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