How to Know When It’s Time to Euthanize a Pet

If you’re like most people, the thought of ending your beloved pet’s life is unfathomable. He or she is your best friend, your family. You’re a devoted guardian who would do anything and everything to see him or her happy and healthy for as long as possible. It’s that same love and devotion that may bring you to the decision to euthanize. Pet euthanasia is a last resort, but it’s a compassionate choice rooted in love.The decision to euthanize is yours and yours alone. Nobody knows your pet as well as you do. Nobody else gets to decide what is best for your pet. And nobody else has to live with the decision. There is no definitive set list of things that you need to do to determine whether or not you’re making the right decision, but the following steps provide many pet owners in this difficult position with great peace of mind:Look for Signs From Your PetMany animals have a sort of sixth sense of when their time in this world is coming to an end. Refusing food and drink and a lack of interest to engage may be a sign that your pet is ready to exit this world.Get Your Vet’s OpinionA trained veterinarian who knows your pet will be able to provide you with the professional guidance you need to make this decision.Get a Second OpinionWhile your vet may know your animal well, it’s never a bad idea to seek a second opinion. The decision to euthanize an animal is final and seeking the advice of another professional may provide peace of mind.Ask Your Friends and Family For HelpYou likely are not the only person who has a relationship with your pet. Seek advice from friends and family that know your pet and ask for their perspective.Look Into Pet Hospice ServicesWhile the opinion of loved ones is great, seeking advice from an objective bystander can be immensely helpful. With pet hospice services, you can get unbiased advice from a trained professional who can guide you through different strategies to manage your pet’s quality of life.Making life and death decisions for your pet will never be easy, but if you follow these steps you can make an informed decision with a clear conscience knowing you did everything you could to do what’s best for your treasured pet. Whatever you decide, you can take comfort in knowing you let love guide your decision.

Deciding When to Put a Pet to Sleep

Though we all wish that our pets could be with us forever, most pet owners are faced with the reality of watching their pet’s quality of life steadily decrease over time. Many of us are forced to make the difficult, but ultimately compassionate decision to put a beloved animal to sleep. But how do you know when it’s the right time to euthanize your pet?

“I always tell people there's no one right or wrong answer. What we do is help assess quality of life, so we teach people about ways to assess quality of life for their pet.” - Dr. Christina Nutter

Choosing the best time to end an animal’s life is difficult. You want to ensure that you get as much quality time with your dog or cat as possible without subjecting them to unnecessary pain and suffering. Here are some key questions that will help you assess your pet’s quality of life:

1. Is your pet eating and drinking?
2. Is your pet in pain?
3. Is your pet able to perform normal activities?
4. Is your pet able to remain house-trained?

There is no right or wrong decision when deciding whether or not to put your animal to sleep. At Gentle Journey, we’ve helped over a thousand pet owners in the Phoenix area through this difficult decision. If you ultimately decide it’s time to say goodbye, our at home euthanasia service is the most peaceful, comforting way for you to end your friend’s life journey. If you’re worried that your pet’s quality of life is on the decline give us a call at 602.332.7757 and we’ll guide you through this difficult process.