How to Know When it’s Time to Say Goodbye to a Fur Child

dog on sofa gazing

While it's impossible to make this decision easy, there are certain questions you can ask yourself to ensure you're making the right decision. It's not going to be painless, but at least you'll know you've made an informed decision based on what your vet and your own dog is telling you:

•Does your dog have a terminal illness? Ask your veterinarian what to expect at the next stage and then ask whether you’re prepared to go there.

•Is your dog in the kind of pain that cannot be significantly alleviated by medication?

•Will more treatment improve his quality of life, or simply maintain a poor quality of life?

•Can you afford treatment? End-of-life care can run into thousands of dollars, and people can end up prolonging their grieving while paying off credit cards.

•Is your dog so old he has lost most bodily functions? If he can no longer stand up, get down stairs, defecate, and urinate on his own, the quality of his life is pretty poor.

•Does he still want to eat? Once a dog loses his appetite he’s signaling he’s close to the end.

•Are his gums pink? When gums aren’t a normal pink, your dog isn’t getting enough oxygen.

•Is it in his best interest to extend his life, or are you extending his life for yourself? This last point is the most difficult one for most of us to sort out, but it may well be the most relevant.

It's virtually impossible to make the decision easier. We almost wish someone else made it for us so we don't have to grapple with it. However, after answering these questions, you might realize that your dog has been giving you signs that he or she is ready to travel over the rainbow bridge for awhile.

Regardless of your final decision, know that when the time comes to say goodbye, your dog will always be with you (even if it's not physically) and that you gave him or her a life full of love and adventure! They'll rest happily forever.

Source: Dogtime



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