Pros and Cons of Being Present During My Pet’s Euthanasia

So you’ve made the difficult decision of putting your dog or cat to sleep. Euthanasia is a compassionate choice that prevents needless suffering and preserves your pet’s dignity. While coming to terms with the decision to euthanize your pet, you may ask yourself “Should I be present?”Deciding whether or not to be present is a highly personal choice as each human-animal bond is unique. There is no right answer, there is only a right answer for you and your pet. Two equally loving pet parents could reasonably disagree on this point. That said, it’s helpful to think through all of the pros and cons of being present for pet euthanasia to make the best possible decision for yourself.Pros:

• You Can Provide Comfort to Your Pet During this Trying Experience
• Peace of Mind in Knowing Your Pet Didn’t Suffer Needlessly During the Procedure
• Being Present May Provide Closure
• Electing Not to Be Present May Result in Feelings of Guilt or Regret

Cons:

• It Can Be Painful to Witness the Final Moments of Your Pet’s Life
• Your Emotional Response Could Create Additional Stress
• The Idea of Euthanasia Being Your Last Moments with Your Beloved Pet May Be Too Much to Bear

This list just scratches the surface. Nobody can tell you what the right decision is for you and your pet. If you are wrestling with this difficult decision, we can help. We’ve counseled many people in this situation throughout the Phoenix Valley. We understand this decision is personal and would never judge your choice no matter what you decide. Give Gentle Journey a call at 602-332-7757 or visit our website to learn more about what we do.

Your Dog Deserves A Peaceful Ending

From the time you bring your dog home, a deep relationship begins to develop. Before you know it, you can’t even remember what life was like without your furry, little friend. In many cases, the human-animal bond is often even more powerful than many human relationships. Alas, the average lifespan of the typical canine is a fraction of its owner’s. When you come to the realization that your dog’s quality of life is declining and may be coming to an end, the decision to put your loved one down can be extremely emotionally taxing.When deciding whether or not to put your dog to sleep, there are many factors to consider. Has your dog’s appetite decreased? Is he or she experiencing a great deal of pain? Is your dog able to go to the bathroom comfortably? Does your dog still enjoy the things that once made him/her happy? Deciding to put your dog down is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong answer. While, this decision is difficult, creating a peaceful, comforting environment for your dog’s final hours is an easy choice.For most dogs, the journey to the vet’s office is fraught with fear and anxiety. For some, the car ride alone is enough to induce panic. Your dog likely has a negative association with the vet’s office due to previous visits. On top of that, grieving the loss of your pet in front of other people can be an uncomfortable experience.In recent years, in-home euthanasia has become a popular alternative for many pet owners for the reasons mentioned above. While putting your dog to sleep is an extremely stressful event for you and your family, saving your dog the anxiety of a trip to the vet’s office and allowing him/her to live out his/her final hours surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of your home can be a compassionate way for you to say good-bye.What to ExpectThough you’ll want to discuss specific details of the process with your provider, the procedure should follow a basic pattern. The service provider will come to your home at a predetermined time to perform the procedure. A sedative/anesthetic that is specifically formulated to the needs of your dog will be administered putting your dog at ease. Once administered, the sedative should take between 5 and 15 minutes to take affect. At this point the euthanasia solution is injected. As the euthanasia solution enters the bloodstream, the dog’s breathing will quicken in response to injection and breathing then stops within 30 seconds, followed by the heart slowing and stopping within 1-3 minutes. The entire process will typically take 60 minutes to complete.Though they are only with us for a brief period of time, our pets have a profound impact on our lives. Every moment of your dog’s life is something to be cherished. Death is a natural part of the life cycle and in-home euthanasia is a dignified way for you to honor the final hours of your dog’s life.

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.