Making a decision about putting a pet to sleep is a heart-breaking one – unless there’s a very obvious or sudden deterioration, there’s no easy way to decide. But the fact we want the best for our pets means we’re doing the right thing by looking out for those little signs from your pet about its current quality of life.
Annie Clark, an Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Nurse with over 11 years’ experience, works alongside me at Home Goodbye. Annie is part of our Client Care team, supporting and guiding owners when they reach that difficult stage of recognising that it might be time to let go. Both Annie and I have had many conversations with pet owners and know that every pet and family are different, but we know that sharing some of the general end-of-life signs to look out for might help.
Practical pet care
Annie recognises the anxiety that pet owners experience when a beloved pet starts moving into an end-of-life stage – a key question is: ‘how will I know?” Annie has several suggestions about practical pet care which can help pet owners not only to be aware of signs a pet may be struggling. The practical steps can also help pet owners feel more in control and that they are helping rather than helpless as they monitor their pets.
‘I will always say to the owner, what is your pet doing? What aren’t they doing? Are they having more good days than bad days?’
Alongside that broader monitoring, Annie also asks pet owners to consider the specifics involved in their pet’s day-to-day, to see if they are struggling or deteriorating. These may include, but aren’t limited to:
Mobility – this is a common factor for most species of pet, so keep a gentle check to see if they are moving around normally. Is your pet becoming less active? Has it become lethargic or is movement becoming considerably impaired and painful?
Pain – pain is very hard to gauge because of course, our pets can’t tell us what’s going on. But if any prescribed pain medication suddenly seems less effective, or the dose needed is sedating your pet to the extent they have poor quality of life or is causing other problems, such as tummy upsts, this could be a sign they are suffering.
Appetite – always be on the lookout for changes in appetite. It’s not just a case of are they eating and drinking well, but also is there any notable increase, decrease or change in food habits?
Behaviour – every pet has its own little ways that only owners understand, so as an owner you’re best placed to recognise if behaviour has changed. Is your pet no longer engaging in a usual activity? Has their routine changed, for example not wanting walks or have their toileting habits altered?
It’s also good to be aware of any new or unusual behaviour which may star. For elderly pets or those struggling with a debilitating condition, you might see your pet become a little more ‘needy’, for instance seeking comfort. On the other hand, your pet may start to withdraw from contact and seek out quiet places to be alone.
Quality of life – it can be hard to judge to what extent a pet’s enjoying life, particularly when it’s elderly or unwell. But despite seeming fairly active and appearing to enjoy meals, for some pets this also means being in pain or sticking to routines which are no longer enjoyable. A dog may appear still willing to go walkies at the usual time but the reality is a real slog which leads to exhaustion and possibly pain if your pet is elderly or has arthritis, for example.
Good days vs bad days
It’s also worth being aware that quality of life can drastically change from day to day for some pets, depending on the nature of their condition. Annie recommends keeping a diary, which can act as a useful reality-check and comparison tool for how the pet is doing overall, for monitoring deterioration and quantifying that balance between good days and bad.
Annie says it can also be helpful for discussions about care or whether it is time to say goodbye: ‘it helps owners as well as the vet to understand what’s going on, to gain an overall picture of quality of life. It also helps us identify and enjoy those good days, as well as identify the right time to say goodbye.’
Aside from trauma incidents, there’s no single way to decide on putting a pet to sleep, it’s a very personal decision and an incredibly difficult one. But being vigilant to the signs your pet shows can help you to make the right decision at the right time. It may also allow you to plan for it so that saying goodbye can be as peaceful and comfortable as possible.
Please reach out if Home Goodbye can support you here and remember that there are other services too, like the Blue Cross Pet Loss Support Service.