When is the Right Time to Say Goodbye to Your Pet?

Saying goodbye to a pet is one of the most difficult decisions a pet owner can make. The 'right' moment doesn't really exist, but often there comes a time when euthanasia is the most humane way to help your pet. It is crucial to avoid the moment of suffering and to make the decision when your pet's quality of life has significantly diminished. To help you with this, you can fill out the checklist below to get an indication of your pet's quality of life.

Quality of Life Checklist

1. Does your pet show signs of pain?
2. Does your pet have trouble moving (self-grooming, getting up, walking)?
3. Is your pet eating or drinking less?
4. Has your pet lost weight?
5. Is your pet incontinent (urinating and defecating in the house)?
6. Does your pet sometimes lie in its own urine or feces?
7. Does your pet ignore other animals on the street or during walks?
8. Does your pet seem confused (barking, separation anxiety, restlessness)?
9. Is your pet aggressive or irritable?
10. Are the complaints permanent or getting worse?
11. Are the complaints no longer treatable or improving?
12. Does caring for your pet cause problems for you or your family?
13. Are the costs of treatment hard to afford?

0-2 times "yes": Possibly still sufficient quality of life.
3-6 times "yes": Diminished quality of life.
More than 5 times "yes": Consider euthanasia.

This checklist is just a tool and does not provide a definitive answer.

An Impossible Choice

Saying goodbye to your pet can feel like an impossible choice between grief and suffering. The emotional burden makes the decision no easier.

You Know Your Pet Best

No one knows your pet better than you. Often, owners intuitively feel when the time has come. Your pet cannot speak, but after years together, you can probably pick up on signals that it is time to say goodbye.

Tips for Kids

It is important to involve children in the decision. Speak in clear language and avoid euphemisms. This way, children better understand what is happening, and no one is blamed afterward.

How to Recognize Pain?

Pain in pets is often difficult to recognize because they instinctively hide it. Look for changes in behavior such as isolation, being less affectionate, or being restless. Especially cats are masters at hiding pain, while dogs are more dependent on their owners and show complaints more quickly.

Cats

Cats that feel miserable often withdraw and become less affectionate. They may be restless or isolate themselves. Do you want to spoil your cat in its last days? Place a litter box without a threshold near the sleeping area and also provide water there. Leave the cat alone and consider a visit from the vet.

Dogs

Old or sick dogs may have trouble getting up, urinate or defecate in the house, be restless, or have difficulty breathing. Pain in dogs is often recognizable by changes in their behavior.

Making this difficult decision is never easy, but hopefully, these guidelines help you determine what is best for your beloved pet. Feel free to contact us for advice or support.