How Do You Know When It's Time to Put down Your Pet?

If your pet has no joyful quality of life left that's when it's okay to put them down.

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When your pet seems depressed or 'absent,' or is acting like it's in pain, constant panting, flinching, or other unusual behavior, and there's little hope of turning its situation around, it's time.

I don't know for sure if most dogs have a sense of dignity, but we had an Old English Sheep Dog who certainly did, and when her hind legs began to give out, we'd find her lying in a puddle of urine. She was obviously unhappy and uncomfortable, and seemed to feel ashamed, avoiding looking at our faces. Even when we spend hours comforting her and tending to her needs, she was depressed.

It became quickly obvious that there was little or nothing left of value for her. It was a hard and painful decision, but I'm convinced it was the right thing to do.

I wish we could extend that kindness to people. My grandmother suffered terribly in her final nine days, but she didn't have an advance directive, so we didn't have much choice but to let the doctors fight her approaching death. I hope I'll be able to opt out when I reach that point, or that my loved ones will fight for my right to die. I have established a DNR order and advance directive. I know that's not what you asked, but I have heard about some truly terrible situatiions among friends' families that could have been mitigated by an advance directive.

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I had to put my dog down in August. I used the HHHHHMM scale to rate my dog's quality of life. http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-c...

It helped me decide. I think her bowel problem would be a big burden. I am so sorry for you to have to make a decision like this. Feel free to PM me or read some of my archives about my dog - go back to August and you'll find a couple.

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My folks vet said once, "If they can't eat or poop then it's time for them to go."
If you know she is in pain and her quality of life is horrid, then it is better for them to be put down. If she is having trouble holding her bowels, I think that would indicate some sort of pain. Sorry you guys are having to go through this, we've had to put down three in my life time...not an easy experience.

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We had to put our dog down, very unexpectedly, just a couple of days ago. We just knew it was the right thing to do. He was in pain, there was no helping him, and he couldnt keep his food down.
When you look at their quality of life, you need to weigh out if it is worth it. Is the dog pooping accidently all over the house, or just running for the back door. She is probably barking at nothing because she is going blind and/or deaf and either hears or sees shadows and thinks something is there. Does she seem painful? Is she eating ok (that is a huge sign, if they stop eating) It is one of the hardest decisions to make. I really feel like they let you know. good luck to you!

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With our lab we knew it was time when she could no longer stand. She had been having trouble getting up for a while, but with help she could stand and her hips still supported her. When her hips could no longer support her and she could no longer stand, we had her put down.

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I had to put my cat down. She had cancer. The vet suggested it was time when she stopped enjoying life. We would know when she kept her head down, had difficulty eating, and was lethargic. Once she was this way we kept her for a week feeding her baby food and saying goodbye; then took her to the vet.

I've been around a dog that was partially blind who barked at seemingly nothing. When we paid attention we could see he was barking at shadows. He was still a happy dog. Just uncertain at times.

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I'm so sorry to hear about Sable. I don't know which is worse- losing a pet instantly and tragically or one that has lived a full life and having to make that decision to put them down. I have experienced both and it is just difficult. We had a dog when I was a sophomore in high school and she passed away when I was in my late twenties. I came home one day and she was laying on the floor breathing difficultly. I knew her quality of life was gone and to prolong it any longer would just be selfish. I took her in that same evening. It was horrible and sad, but I knew in my heart she was in a better place. Hugs to you! Our furry friends are true blessings from God. I wish you all the best through this experience.
God Bless,
A.

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We knew it was time to put our family dog down when she became blind in one eye, and could barely see due to her cataracts in the other. Her arthritis in her hips made it so she could barely walk and often would fall to the side and wimper while she bit at her hips. She also started to go without eating. We'd put food and water in her dish and it would sit there all day. She LOVED my youngest brother and it was almost as if they only reason she was staying alive, was to please my brother. She struggled a lot with depression while he was at work so it was tough to see her just not be the same dog. She also had hearing loss so you'd call for her but she wouldn't come. It was a tough decision, but we didn't want to see her struggling to live each day anymore. It was hard to do but it was what it was. She was a rescue we picked up from the humane society and a wonderful pet. She was almost 17 human years old when we put her down.

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I think this is one of the hardest decisions a family has to make. You have several good answers already. On a day to day basis you know how your beloved dog is, and how she is progressing/ suffering from various health issues. When she is no longer comfortable, able to eat, able to go outside to take care of her business your vet will be able to help you out. We have had to make this decision before, and the kindness of the vet was unbelievable. Currently we have a 13 1/2 year old lab, and are starting to see some major signs of aging. The question you asked is never easy to answer. Our pets are part of our family.
Good luck.

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I could deal with the random barking. But the other would not work for me. I keep my dog kenneled because he's never gotten complete control of his potty. We go out 15 times per day from early am until late at night. We let him run around the house only after he's gone outside and only for a few minutes at a time. It's a good thing he likes his kennel. If you can keep the dog from ruining your home, there are medicines for dogs that are becoming senile.

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You need to ask the Vet... for their professional assessment of the pet.
IF there is nothing that can be done and it is degenerative and will only get worse... the animal will be in pain and suffer.. .and they can't even control their bowels/bladder etc.
You may try pain management.
Or, making the animal comfortable, despite.
But your In-Laws, are the ones that has to decide.
Or it is your dog now? Definitively?

I had a cat, 14 years old, that started getting that way.
It was simply old age and he had tumors etc. He was in the process... of dying. Not just being sick and old. He was, dying.
He couldn't control any of his basic needs.
While we were in the car to take him to be euthanized.... he died in the car. He just stared at me the whole while in the car as I held him while in a box.... and he let out an anguished "meow".... then just died. He understood... he was being taken away from home. He didn't want to leave home. I felt bad. But I couldn't bear seeing him in pain anymore. He couldn't even stand up on his own anymore. Even petting him, hurt. So he as though, willed himself to die... in the car ride over to the vet center. Rather than be alone.... in a strange place and be dropped off.

It is a very personal decision.
But have your Vet, evaluate the situation.
If your dog's condition can be managed, or not.
Or if it will be just a downhill situation, per her health.

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I know this is easier said from the outside looking in, but the only reason this is hard for ay family is because we are trying to hold on to the memories and to the dog itself. We dont want to be sad, and miss the dog. But, you have to be stronger than that and realize what the dog is going through. Its lived a long life, especially for a medium to large sized dog. If the poor thing can't even go to the bathroom, then its time. I know it will be hard, but you have to think of whats best for the dog, and not how much you will miss having them around. Good Luck, I know its hard-

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I have worked at a vet. I have seen animals put down before it was needed, and I have seen animals suffer for months or even years needlessly when their owners should have put them down.

So, the overall checklist... is this a condition that will clear up with some treatment? Is the treatment chronic (long lasting), cruel (such as iv drips daily for extended periods of time or cause sever complications), is the animal mostly happy, alert and pain free, or is it mostly in pain and fearful.

Putting an animal down will help ease it's extended suffering. So, gauge the point of the suffering and you will know the answer.

We've had to do it twice with our beloved Cocker Spaniels. One was 12 with cancer the other was 14 and just old, worn out. This happened in about a 5 yr span.

It was very tough to make this decision and remain selfless about it. I never wanted to let them go but for some reason, each time as I was crying and holding them, the look I got from their eyes seemed to be speaking to me to please let me go....

I couldn't go with hubby to the vet with Maggie. My heart was broken because she was our first. I did go with Frankie and I was touched by the vet. We had to go to the ER clinic that night. The vet who put him down had tears as well.

With both dogs, there is a special pet cemetary that came to pick them up at the vet offices, took them and cremated them and brought them back to us in a pretty cedar box with their name engraved on a plate at the top. Each time, Tooth Acres, also sent back a poem, white silk rose and expressed their condolences. It was about $150 per dog and we did the same with daughter's pet rabbit. The rabbit just died overnight at about 10 yrs old. That was much easier for me to take.

Best wishes to you. This is a very tough decision and very heartbreaking.

UGHHHHHHHHHH, I soooooooo remember these days like it was yesterday.. HARDEST DECISION OF MY LIFE TO DATE!!!!!! Someone said to me " what is his quality of life, would he want to live like this"?
I had a pitbull that was almost 15, in diapers, on about 6 meds per day. I just couldn't bare to have to be the one to make that decision... He was my first child!!!! His quality of life wasn't there though and I knew it, I just couldn't face it.. I looked at it as "he's still eating though and walks around and wags his tail".. When he was going through his doggy diapers 2-3 times per day, I knew it was time....
Ps I'm now crying remembering those days, ugh heart breaking time for me... :0(
When we decided it was time ( DEVASTATING TIME) we took 3 days to do EVERYTHING he loved... We took him swimming (my husband had to help him because he wasn't super strong anymore.. He used to be OBSESSED with going in the pool), gave him every possible food he would of wanted when he was younger.. Made him steaks, french fries, cookies (no chocolate), gave him a beer to drink.. Basically smothered him in love.. I video taped the last 3 days (it's been almost 4 years and I still can't watch the video).... Then we made the appt and took him in....
Please please please one thing I ask if and when you make your decision- to be with her until the very end... I read (because I didn't know if I could bare to go in and watch him slip away) that hearing is the last thing to go... So I went in and hugged him and talked to him until "literally" the very end.. I wanted him to know how much I loved him and that I was with him until his very last breath....
I'm sorry. I know this decision is a very tough one!

My dad is a vet. He has told me, and he tells his clients, to make a list of the things that make your pet's life worth living. These things might include playing with toys, going for walks, enjoying treats, receiving affection... As you see those things disappear, you know the time is coming. It can be very hard for us to gauge pain levels in animals, as their survival instincts can lead them to "cover up" pain/weakness. You will know when their favorite things go away that they are having a hard time. My heart goes out to you, it is never easy.

she is just senile she isn't suffering. when they are suffering and have no quality life it is time. the runs can be from feeding a low quality dog food. You have to feed pedigree or a higher brand. is she having trouble holding her bowels or just to senile to realize she needs to go? When she is suffering just laying around not playing or socializing it is time. as long as she is generally happy leave her be let nature run its course. I think in her case she is close and I would just let nature run its course. jmo

You are the one that honestly knows if she is suffering or not. follow your heart. YOu know the answer even if you don't want to admit it.

I just wrote a book to respond about my own experience and am now a crying mess remembering it all. I deleted it because I realized that you don't need to read all of that to hear my response. Short answer, if you like your vet and have confidence in her/him, simply ask them what they think. My vet guided me in this decision because I was too afraid that I would let my pet suffer since I was not ready for him to go. She gave me the nod when she thought it was the best / most humane choice for him.

I don't know - it's almost too sad for me to think about. But I'm sorry you have to make this decision... :(

If you truly trust your veterinarian, they should suggest it when it's time. I HAVE seen vets who will try to keep the pet alive for as long as possible sucking every last possible dollar out of the owner before recommending putting the animal down.

In your particular case, she is an older dog. She's had a long life, and it might be something to ask the vet about if you feel like she's suffering/uncomfortable. Hope this helps, and hope you can make the best decision for the dog and your family.

If she's randomly barking at nothing, she may be becoming senile - yes it happens to animals as well as people.
My animals always had a way of letting me know that life just wasn't any fun for them anymore, and when I saw that, I let them go, even though it broke my heart every time I had to do it.