When should I put my old dog to sleep?

The question about when to euthanize a pet presents difficulties for most pet owners. The strong emotional ties with the pet make parting difficult. Our pets become members of the family. The loss of the long-time companion is tremendous. As pet owners, we do not want to be responsible for the death of the pet. Owners often feel guilt, especially if finances play a role in making the decision.

As pet owners, we must recognize several factors. The first is that the normal life expectancy of the vast majority of pets is only a small fraction of the life expectancy of a human. This means that the majority of us will outlive our pets or even several generations of pets. Whether or not we want to admit it to ourselves, death is as much a part of life as life itself. We must remember that the bond we share with our pets during their lifetime makes dealing with the loss worthwhile. Would you really want a pet that you could not form a bond with?

When we welcome a pet into our home, we accept the responsibility for their health and well-being. This means that we agree to make decisions for them that they cannot make for themselves. These decisions include training, food control, water control, medical decisions, safety and usually the decision to end life. Not all of these decisions are easy, but they must be made.

The decision to euthanize requires the owner to make a judgment call. The veterinarian can only present the options to the owner and help the owner make the decision. However, euthanasia often represents the most appropriate option or the only option other than very aggressive diagnostics and treatments.

When I counsel clients about euthanasia I strongly encourage them to do right by the pet. As a pet owner and veterinarian, I know that if I do right by the pet, I will sleep with a clear conscience. Part of the Veterinarian’s Oath is to relieve animal suffering. I try to make an assessment and recommendation based on the overall quality of life of my patient. I try to educate owners about the disease process, indications of a decreased quality of life, and most importantly the ability manage the pet’s problems.

The decision to euthanize is seldom easy. But when made in the best interest of the pet, it represents the correct decision. Letting a pet die with dignity and without suffering unduly seems the most humane course of action.

A client once gave me the following poem after I euthanized her beloved dog. She felt it important enough to write it out for me from memory on a tiny scrap of paper that I still keep. The memory of that event helps me counsel clients to make the best decision possible.

In order to live in this world,

There are three things you must be able to do.

To love that which is mortal,

To hold it against your bones,

Knowing your own life depends upon it,

And when the time comes to let it go,

To let it go.

In Black Water Woods- Mary Oliver

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