7 Reasons To Put Your Dog Down (Assessing Canine Suffering)

One of the most difficult decisions of pet ownership is whether or not it’s time to put your beloved pet to sleep. You never want to see your treasured companion suffer, but knowing when to say goodbye can feel impossible.

We know how important it is to let your pet pass with compassion and dignity, so we are here to offer guidance on how to best assess your dog’s quality of life. We will discuss the most common reasons why pet parents put their dogs to sleep, and how to know when your little one is beginning to suffer.

Let’s get started.

7 Reasons To Put A Dog Down

The decision to put your dog to sleep is a personal one that only you can make. We want to help you feel as comfortable with your decision as possible, so let’s discuss the factors that lead many pet parents to consider euthanasia.

#1 They Have A Terminal Illness

One of the reasons pet owners consider euthanasia is when their dog has some form of terminal illness. A terminal illness is one that your pet will not recover from, and will likely cause your pet to lose their life as it progresses. This can include cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, and more.

Some terminal medical conditions in dogs can be managed for a short time with veterinary care, but many of these conditions will eventually impact your pet’s quality of life as they progress. Putting your pet with a terminal illness to sleep can prevent them from experiencing any pain, confusion, or suffering down the line.

#2 Their Disease Can No Longer Be Managed

As we mentioned above, there are a variety of chronic and terminal medical conditions that can be managed with veterinary care for short periods of time. However, many pets will eventually reach a point in which their condition no longer responds to medical intervention, or they develop daily pain that impacts their quality of life. If it seems like your pet’s treatment plan is no longer working, then it may be time to consider euthanasia.

#3 They Are Experiencing Daily Pain Or Mobility Issues

Pain and mobility issues can deeply impact your dog’s quality of life. Many pets will develop issues like arthritis or hip dysplasia in their senior years, especially large breed dogs. These joint conditions are degenerative and often worsen over time, so they can make it challenging for your pet to get around comfortably.

Dogs with painful joint disease may struggle with walking, getting up from a seated or lying position, going up stairs, and getting up in the morning. Even with long term joint management, some pups will still experience severe pain that cannot be managed with medication. It may be time to consider saying goodbye to your dog if their mobility issues are making it hard for them to enjoy life.

#4 They Are No Longer Eating

Appetite can be a big indication of health and happiness in your dog. Most dogs get enjoyment out of their food or their favorite treats, so if they suddenly stop eating, this could be a sign that they are declining in health. While some senior dogs will develop picky eating, refusal to eat often points to something more serious.

#5 They Cannot Control Their Bladder

Some senior dogs will struggle to control their bladder as they age. While you may not assume that this impacts their quality of life, accidents around the home can point to underlying health decline. Loss of bladder control can be due to canine dementia, mobility issues, pain, and more. It may be time to discuss your pet’s quality of life if they have lost bladder control in addition to other forms of health decline.

#6 They Are Declining Mentally

Just as humans do, many dogs will experience cognitive decline as they age. Canine cognitive dysfunction is a result of the natural aging process of the brain, and it can deeply impact your senior dog’s quality of life. Dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction may experience confusion, anxiety, restlessness, decreased appetite, disrupted sleep cycles, increased barking, wandering aimlessly, and accidents around the home. Many pet parents have elected to put their dog to sleep when their cognitive dysfunction began to impact their daily life.

#7 They Have Dangerous Behavioral Issues

Some dogs will develop severe behavioral issues no matter how much love and support we offer them. Though we always suggest exploring as much veterinary and training support as you can, sometimes it’s just not enough for some dogs. If your dog has become a potential threat to other animals or people in your home, then it may be time to discuss the potential for behavioral euthanasia with your vet.

How Do I Know If My Dog Is Suffering?

The decision to say goodbye to your dog is a personal one that only you can make. You know your canine companion best, so you will need to assess their life and determine if they are having more good days than bad.

However, if you are struggling with how to determine if your little one is suffering, you can always use a quality of life scale. You can do this by comparing the good and the bad when it comes to their current health status, and ultimately making the decision when the bad outweighs the good.

Some examples of the good end of the quality of life scale involve their enjoyment of food, their ability to participate in their favorite activities, and their ease of mobility. When you are creating a personalized quality of life scale for your pet, you can give them a point for each good thing they are still able to do.

Some examples of the bad end of the quality of life scale include a decreased appetite, disinterest in activities they once enjoyed, and difficulty moving around. If there comes a time in which your dog has more points on the bad end of the scale, it may be time to have a discussion with your vet about the potential for saying goodbye.

What Happens When You Put A Dog To Sleep?

Putting your dog to sleep is one of the kindest, most selfless decisions you can make if your little one is suffering. The term euthanasia itself means painless death, so by putting your dog to sleep, you are gifting them a painless and compassionate ending.

The process of putting your dog down will involve administering a sedative that causes your pet to fall asleep, and then administering a solution that will immediately stop their heart. Your dog will not feel any pain when the euthanasia solution is administered, and they will simply drift to sleep.

You can choose to either do this at your vet’s office, or you can have an in-home pet euthanasia service come to you. You will have the option to be with your pet as the euthanasia solution is administered, but this is always entirely up to you.

Final Thoughts

We know how difficult of a decision it is to say goodbye to your treasured pet. Though the thought of them leaving our lives is a painful one, we never want our furry friends to suffer. We encourage you to speak with your vet if you think your dog is suffering, and they can help you make the best decision for your beloved pet.

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