I get this question more often than you might think…When do you say goodbye to the little furry friend you’ve loved for years? The decision is never easy, whether the circumstances that lead to that question occur suddenly, or you’ve known it’s been coming for months. It is a highly personal decision, one that must consider not only the pet’s comfort and quality of life, but also what you, the owner, are able and willing to afford and endure.
Taking care of an elderly pet can become hard work. That pet may start losing their house training, either due to mental confusion or a medical condition. They may have a tough time getting up off the floor because of their arthritis, and require extra help just to go get a drink. They may start getting any number of medical conditions that require daily medications or treatments, and the pet may or may not cooperate for them. For many people with busy schedules, these inconveniences get to the point where they just cannot provide their pet with the increased care they need, despite their best efforts. In those instances, the pet suffers, and the owner is distressed because of it.
For a pet with declining health, it can be tough to be objective about their quality of life. One great day may make you forget about the week of listlessness prior to it. They may get so excited about dinner at the end of the day that you don’t want to think about how much trouble they had getting up to go outside that morning. If you find yourself contemplating whether it is time to say goodbye, talk to your vet. While we can’t decide for you, we can certainly help guide you in making your decision. Knowing what is going on with your pet and what to expect as things progress can make the decision much easier.
Bring your pet in for an exam as well. Even if your pet’s condition is something that cannot be fixed, there are many options for treating symptoms to keep your pet comfortable for as long as possible. Treatments do not always have to be invasive, and can be tailored to fit your pet’s needs as well as your own. Hospice care for pets has become more and more common in recent years. It can be very beneficial in improving quality of life as well as strengthening the bond between you and your pet.
For chronically ill pets, it’s a good idea to keep a journal of good days and bad. Is your pet still doing things he enjoys? Is he still going on walks, or exploring around the house? Does he still seek attention from the family or does he isolate himself? Keeping track will make it easier to look back and see if things are really getting better or worse for your pet. The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement has an excellent quality of life scale you can fill out to help with this process.
In the end, this decision, as hard as it is, belongs to you and your family. For many people who have already made that call, their biggest regret is waiting too long because they were too attached to say goodbye. They felt that their pet suffered too long because they couldn’t let go. Looking at the big picture, as objectively as possible, can help make sure that you are making this decision in the best interests of your beloved pet.
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