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Whether you’ve raised your pet from their puppy or kitten years, or lovingly adopted them as a senior pet, the loss of a beloved animal companion is never easy. Decisions about end of life pet care can make this challenging time even more difficult, as you may be coping with feelings of guilt, or wondering whether or not you are doing the right thing.
Humane euthanization of a pet is never a decision to be taken lightly, but in many cases, it’s one of the most important choices we can make as pet owners. Your friends at True Care Veterinary Hospital are committed to walking alongside you as you navigate the many aspects of care involved in end of life.
It’s Never Easy
Knowing if or when to humanely euthanize a pet is an extremely emotional and personal decision. Although our staff is always here to help, ultimately it’s a decision the pet owner must feel comfortable with.
Sometimes it can be helpful to consider your pet’s daily life in making end of life pet care decisions. Ask yourself the following questions to get an idea of your pet’s quality of life:
- Is your pet eating and drinking well?
- Can your pet eliminate on their own?
- Is your pet experiencing pain that cannot be controlled with medication?
- Can your pet move about with relative ease?
- Does your pet rest comfortably?
- Does your pet still show interest in favorite activities?
You might also consider taking an inventory on how many good vs. bad days your pet has when it comes to determining their overall quality of life.
Saying Goodbye
Once the difficult decision to end a pet’s life has been made, you will also need to decide when and how to say goodbye.
- Depending on your preference, euthanasia can be performed in our office, or at your home. You may wish to be present during the procedure, or choose to spend time with your pet beforehand, due to the emotional nature of euthanasia.
- If possible, try to make sure that everyone in the family has had a chance to say goodbye prior to the procedure.
- Take extra care to explain to children what is happening, and guide them as they process their grief. Check out your local library for books and other resources related to helping children cope with loss.
- Remember that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Take all the time you need and don’t be afraid to reach out to loved ones or pet loss support groups for additional help.
End of Life Pet Care at True Care
As part of our goal to make each and every year of your pet’s life as wonderful as possible, we offer pet hospice care in a loving environment designed to maximize your pet’s comfort and support you in the decision making process. Whether your pet requires pain management, hospitalization, in-home care, or more, we can help.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the staff at True Care Veterinary Hospital with your questions about end of life pet care.