3 Helpful Things to Consider
1. Is my pet feeling pain or discomfort?
2. Has my pet’s quality of life diminished significantly?
3. Am I able to meet my pet’s needs?
How do you know
When it’s time?
This is a decision made with careful, thoughtful love. This resource is designed to help you understand when euthanasia may be the kindest option. After reviewing this handout as well as our quality-of-life scale, if the answer is still unclear, we suggest scheduling a quality-of-life assessment with us or your regular care provider.
While you are the expert on your pet, it can be helpful to have an outside opinion, especially from a veterinary professional.
Pain or Discomfort
It can be difficult to know how your pet is feeling, and oftentimes, they don’t want us to know if they’re feeling poorly. Below are a few common signs of discomfort in pets:
- Hiding in odd places or avoiding social interactions
- Shaking, trembling, or panting
- Restlessness
- Vocalizing or becoming aggressive when touched
- Staying in one spot, avoiding movement
Quality of Life
Quality of life refers to your pet’s general well-being. Recognizing a significantly diminished quality of life is sometimes an indication that it’s time to consider euthanasia. Signs to watch for include:
- No longer engaging in regular activity (playing, going on walks, etc.)
- Bad days outnumber the good days
- Mental distress, anxiety, or confusion
- Change in appetite or thirst
- Unable to perform daily basic living needs
Meeting your Pet’s Needs
Your own physical, financial, and emotional resources can impact your ability to care for a pet who is nearing the end of life. Sometimes your pet’s needs exceed your personal resources. It’s important to remember that this is a reflection of their increasing quality of life needs, and not any kind of failure on your part. Some common, but difficult, factors that may limit your ability to meet your pet’s increasing needs:
- Your obligations at home or work
- The financial reality of long-term medical care
- Behavioral issues which compromise the well-being of others and the human-animal bond
- Limitations that make responding to an emergency situation difficult