It’s only natural as they decline in health to wonder if we will have to make the decision to help our pet cross over. We worry how we will know with any certainty that it is the right decision at the right time. As our pets guardian we want our loved one to enjoy every good moment left to them, without enduring one minute of true suffering. Although it feels monumental to make such a decision, to decide “the when” for another living being, the decision falls to us. Only those who have shared the life of a furry family member will know when their quality of life is no longer viable.

As a pet owner I have had to face this decision myself, and know it is never an easy one to make. I can tell you that even if you know it’s the right thing at the right time there will be doubts. It’s human nature to question our important decisions, and I guess it’s not meant to be easy.

As a house call veterinarian, this subject comes up with a degree of frequency. We see many patients through their senior years and on into hospice care. It’s often more comfortable for our older arthritic patients to be cared for at home. We have found there is not one perfect answer for every pet and family. Some of the following suggestions may be of help. Keep in mind that these considerations may vary by individual situations such as disease, type and size of pet and the physical capabilities of their families.

Pet Euthanasia, Knowing When its Time to Put Your Pet Down

Questions to Help Know When it is Time to Put Down Your Pet

If you think the time is getting close to put a pet to sleep, ask yourself the following questions.

  • Does your pet have uncontrolled pain? Is it consistent?

  • Are they critically injured and will not survive the damage?

  • Are they having labored breathing, increase respiratory rate and/or effort (are they moving their belly to breathe)?

  • Do they have uncontrollable seizures?

  • Have they completely stopped eating on their own?

  • Can they stand on their own, or do they fall when they try to move?

If the answer is yes to these questions, the decision maybe easier, but no less devastating. It’s when the need is less urgent, and less obvious that makes it so hard to decide if it’s time.  Often pets do not overtly show pain, or are very stoic, so we may have to look at more subtle signs.