Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most emotionally challenging experiences pet parents will face. Preparing for this inevitable moment requires understanding your pet’s needs. It involves assessing their quality of life and considering the most compassionate options available, including euthanasia. Today, I want to share my insights into preparing to say goodbye to your pet, knowing that the time will come when we all have to do so.
Knowing When It’s Time to Say Goodbye
Determining when it’s time to let go involves evaluating your pet’s quality of life. Your readiness and belief system also play a role. Let’s discuss these three important aspects of saying goodbye:
Your Pet’s Quality of Life Scale
Signs that your pet may be struggling include chronic pain, loss of mobility, severe illness, or a noticeable decline in their ability to enjoy daily activities. A veterinarian can guide you through this assessment by discussing your pet’s condition and prognosis.
Lap of Love, a company that offers veterinary hospice and in-home euthanasia services, offers a fantastic resource for pet parents. Here, you can privately and honestly answer evaluation questions that will guide you in determining your pet’s quality of life. Because it’s based on a scale, you’ll tally your responses at the end and have a better understanding of your pet’s physical and mental condition, pain levels, etc. That information can guide you to make a decision that is in their best interest.
Your Readiness
Your emotional readiness plays a significant role. It’s often a matter of balancing your grief with the need to alleviate your pet’s suffering. If you still want to try a medical intervention, still want to check a pet-related bucket list item off your list, or want to give your pet the opportunity to say goodbye to someone special, you may not be ready to let go. That’s okay. If you still have pending items with your pet, focus on completing those items before considering euthanasia.
Your Belief System
Many pet parents struggle with the idea of deciding or choosing when their pet has completed their life. In the case of our human loved ones, many of us are taught to let God’s Will be done and manage pain and illness until the time comes. With our pets, however, euthanasia is very common and often encouraged, which leaves many of us feeling confused. Our pets are family, why should their end of life be any different than it is for the humans in our family?
Yes, euthanasia is the act of intentionally ending a pets life through the use of a lethal injection administered by a veterinarian to prevent further suffering when an animal is terminally ill or experiencing severe pain that cannot be managed. But, euthanasia is considered a “good death” for the pet because it allows them to pass peacefully, usually surrounded by their families and loved ones, in a safe and calm environment. While it’s not a common option for our human family, euthanasia is a compassionate and loving option for our pets. Plus, most religions allow for it, which is not the case for humans in most religions.
Palliative or Hospice Care
Dr. Lauren Barrow, a home hospice and euthanasia veterinarian with Caring Pathways, shares some of her insights about when it’s time to say goodbye in this very useful post. “If you are not sure about euthanasia versus natural death,” she says, “if your pet is approaching the end of her life, or has received a grave prognosis, palliative or hospice care may be a wonderful option. Palliative care is relieving pain and other symptoms of disease. Hospice care is really the same thing, just closer to the end of life.”
We discuss more details of palliative vs. hospice care in this recent blog. Locally, BluePearl Pet Hospital‘s Houston locations offer pet hospice, in-home euthanasia, and comfort care services. Their team of board certified vets, vet techs, and administrators aim to help pet parents make the most appropriate choices for their pets, based on their goals and while offering the best control of pain and symptoms. By engaging the guidance of a veterinarian or clinic that specializes in end of life care, you will have all the resources you need to make the right decision for you and your pet.
The Importance of Planning
Even if your pet is maintaining quality of life and you know that euthanasia is not appropriate at this time, discuss end of life options with your veterinarian early on, especially if your pet has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Having a plan in place ensures that you are prepared when the time comes and allows you to focus on making your pet’s final moments as peaceful as possible.
Saying goodbye to a sick or elderly pet is never easy, but understanding their needs and exploring compassionate end-of-life options can help ensure they pass with dignity and love. No matter what you choose, the decision should prioritize your pet’s comfort while honoring the unique bond you share with them. And, our team is here to support you every step of the way!
New clients, please contact us at info@animaladmiration.com or (281) 391-1015 to learn about our in-home pet care services. Our team of outstanding cat care providers offers quality care dog sitting, cat sitting, and dog walking in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Energy Corridor, Memorial, West Houston, and Cypress.
Existing clients schedule your pet care visits here. We wish you and your family a lovely holiday season – whether you’re traveling or staying home!
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