Should Other Animals Be Present During Pet Euthanasia?

Letting go of an ailing pet is a gut-wrenching choice many pet owners are forced to make when caring for an animal whose bad days far outnumber the good. Being present with your pet during this bewildering procedure is an intimate experience that honors the bond you’ve built with your beloved companion. A final embrace and loving farewell can be a positive moment that aids the grieving process.If you have other pets in the home who are closely bonded with your ailing friend, you may be wondering if they should be afforded the same opportunity to bid a heartfelt goodbye. Allowing other pets to witness the procedure can provide them with a sense of closure, reducing the chances they’ll be waiting for the departed pet to return. In many cases, your healthy cat or dog may want to stay close-by in support of a dying pet until he or she passes on.Not all animals will want to be present during the procedure and that’s okay. If this is the case, it’s generally advisable to abide their wishes and let them deal with the loss in their own, personal way. Additionally, it may be impractical to have other animals present at the time of the procedure if they are disruptive to the process. If this is the case, allowing them to say goodbye after the animal has passed can help them to understand what has taken place.Providing pets the opportunity to say goodbye is therapeutic and can help your healthy pet move on after the passing. This wasn’t always the case, as the procedure was generally performed in a veterinarian’s office. Gentle Journey and other in-home euthanasia services have changed the landscape of pet care making it possible for the whole family, pets included, to say goodbye in the most loving, caring environment possible. If you’d like to learn more about this compassionate service, call Gentle Journey at 602-332-7757 or visit our website: http://doctorchristina.com/services/