In a perfect world, our pets would live forever. In a somewhat imperfect world, they'd all pass away in their sleep at a ripe old age. Unfortunately, in the real world that isn't how things work. As our pets' owners and guardians, we usually have to make that final big choice regarding their lives- when to put them to sleep. But when is it the right time? Take a look at this info on How to Know When It's Time to Put Your Pet to Sleep.
How to Know When It's Time to Put Your Pet to Sleep
Why We Put Pets to Sleep
When you were little you may have thought, "There are a lot of people suffering from terrible illnesses or injuries who still live fulfilling lives, so why do we put ailing pets to sleep?" The answer is in the question. It all comes down to quality of life. As humans, we are lucky to be able to do a lot even when bedridden. Many bedridden people still live happy, fulfilling lives building careers as writers, artists, online consultants, etc. And on days when their condition is at its worse, bedridden people can entertain themselves with books, movies, TV, video games, conversations with friends, and so much more. People have even had good lives from the confines of an iron lung!
But pets can't live like that. If they're bedridden, all they can do is sleep and lay there awake. They can't or don't want to play with their toys or other pets. There's no more playing games with you, going for fun walks, chasing after birds, or digging random holes. There's just laying there and sleeping. Some chronically ill pets have to be force fed or can't go to the bathroom by themselves. When you reach the point where you're actively keeping your pet alive and they have a low quality of life, then they're not really living. That's why we put pets to sleep.
When You Still Have Time
When considering when it's time to put your pet to sleep, think about their condition. If an injury isn't too severe, or an illness is discovered soon enough, you may have options and time. Perhaps your veterinarian can suggest a surgery, medication, or treatment that may help. Maybe there's some holistic/alternative health remedy you should try. Listen to your vet, but also do your own research. Cancer isn't a death sentence for pets anymore thanks to chemotherapy, and dogs with injured spines or missing limbs can live full lives thanks to doggy wheelchairs or prosthetics. Consider your dog's quality of life. Do they eat on their own? Can they go potty on their own? Do they play? Can they move? Do they wag their tail? Are they alert more often than not? Do they have more good days than bad? If you answered yes to most of these, you likely still have time.
When It's Time to Say Good-Bye
When your pet is continually in pain and isn't happy, that's when it's time to put your pet to sleep. Don't prolong their suffering just to try idea #100 if they've already been suffering for a long time. It'll be hard, yes, but in the end you're helping them. Releasing them from suffering is your final big gift to them. A final, highly appreciated, act of love.
Losing a pet is difficult. For help coping with your grief, you may find it worthwhile to talk with friends or family, or to read our articles on pet loss.
How do you deal with the loss of a pet?
Kathleen Kelly says
This is definitely a difficult time. We have had to do this with 4 cats that we have had over the years. After the last one, I said no more cats but I could not last but a few days when I told hubby that I needed another furbaby in the house. So we went to the shelter and adopted. Since then our daughter has had to leave two of her cats with us for a bit until she can take them. I will miss them for sure so we may end up fostering kitties if our own cat will allow it. Great article!
Beth says
It is a decision that is so hard to make. I have made it two times, both for senior dogs. It was very sad, but I hope that it was the kindest thing to do for them. When my dad was in hospice, I learned a lot about how a body shuts down and it made me wish I could have done more of a hospice thing for my dogs. Kept them comfortable until their bodies were done.
FiveSibesMom says
Such an important topic, but one that's so hard to think about. I've just lost one of my Siberian Huskies , my heart dog Gibson (who had Canine Epilepsy, but passed during surgery for a splenectomy when it was discovered he had cancer that had spread, including an orange-sized tumor on his liver, so we made the heartbreaking decision to let him go peacefully while under anesthesia) shortly before Christmas and I'm still in such mourning for him. I lost him one month after my mother, who was with my daughter and I when we welcomed him into our home, so my mourning is very deep. June will be six months and I look for him all the time, can see him, hear him, almost feel his velvety fur and the weight of his big polar bear paw...my heart has been broken and a portion of it will always belong to Gibson. My way of working through it is to continue to love and enjoy my other four and to continue on with Canine Epilepsy awareness in Gibson's name. I find that not only does it keep him close, but we are still working "together" to help others on the same journey he and I traveled. I think doing something in their name helps...but some moments of each day are still so very painful with missing him.
Sweet Purrfections says
It's a difficult decision, but the best display of love you can give your fur child.
April monty says
Though it's heartbreaking there does come that time when letting your pet go is the more humane choice than having them syffer
Gone to the Snow Dogs says
Going through this process is one of the toughest things any pet owner will ever have to do. People told me the first time we had to do it that we would know when the time was right. Hardest moment of my life so far was making that decision, but I knew it was time.
Robin says
Choosing to put your pet to sleep is one of the most difficult things in the world. I think it is second only to saying goodbye to a human family member (and there may be exceptions to that rule). I just had to put my Cinco down at the end of last month. It has been a very hard month for my husband, Manna, and me. We know we did the right thing, though. Sometimes you have to think about what you would tell someone else to do if they were in the same situation asking you for advice. Healing always takes time. You just have to let yourself grieve and pick yourself back up.
Bridget Harrison says
This is the hardest thing in life that anyone has to do. I've have my Glamour Girl for now 17 years and when she tells me she will till then I enjoy and don't think about her life in those terms we will be together forever!
Lindsay Pevny says
I really like your point about people being able to live fulfilling lives even when bedridden, it's very similar to thoughts I had when my old dog had to be put to sleep.
Amanda Yantos says
It's such a sad subject but something we all have to go through at some point. My dad had a dog who was around 12 years old. Within a month she became deaf AND blind. I kept telling me dad that it wasn't fair to keep her alive anymore. It was painful just to watch her. Clearly there was NO quality of life. Her anxiety skyrocketed because she couldn't hear or see. They let her live about another month after that when they should have just let go sooner. I understand the pain but we really need to think about our animals at that point.
Sarcastic Dog says
I started crying just reading the title of this post. My oldest dog, Zora, just turned 13. While she is in pretty great shape for an older lady, I notice she is slowing down and just yesterday we were on a walk and out of nowhere she starts making this weird heavy breathing/coughing noise. We stopped and sat for a while and then she was fine to keep going but it reminded that she really is a senior dog and I cried for a bit just thinking about where we are at in her life. Just a reminder to enjoy every moment.
I have had to say goodbye to many pets since childhood and it never gets easier but I am absolutely of the belief that one of the greatest gifts we have to give our pets is letting them go when their quality of life declines to the point where they are suffering.
Molly says
My thoughts are with you!! After losing my Sadie, I now have a 12 year old senior girl with suspected cancer. I know exactly what you are going through. We have decided we will take one day at a time and just enjoy living. I spoil her rotten, but so what! I am with you - our time is probably coming soon. I try not to think on it 🙁
Mia says
This is one of the hardest things about pet ownership - so hard to say goodbye and know the best decision. It feels like it is never a decision that gets any easier.
Molly says
It's never an easy decision and it never gets any better. We just don't have enough time with our furbabies!
Barrie says
Probably one of the most difficult things I've done to date! Putting your dog down, a family member is awful but humane.
Molly says
I agree! It is THE hardest decision of my life! I struggled with it for what seemed like forever, but in the end I did what humane for my furry child.
Chrystal Thurston says
It's a terrible decision to make. I had to put my cat to sleep last week due to kidney failure and it was one of the hardest decision I have every made.
Molly says
I am so very sorry 🙁 It is one of the hardest decision we have to make. We somehow have to get past our pain in order to help them in the final moments. My thoughts are with you.
Dotty J Boucher says
This is a hard subject for me, since I recently had to put my cat to sleep, I hated it but I knew she was just not happy and bleeding all the time because of cancer.
Molly says
I agree! It is a horrible subject! One we all try to avoid. I am so very sorry about your kitty. Cancer is an ugly word from humans to our pets 🙁 My thoughts are with you!