Euthanising a pet is never an easy decision, especially when it comes to our four-legged companions.
While euthanasia is strictly defined as the administration of drugs that causes painless death, this article isn’t about the definition but rather about how to know when your dog needs to be put down.
But before we get into the steps on how you can make this very tough decision, let’s first consider why you may choose to do so.
Did I euthanize my dog too soon?
If you had to decide now, would you choose death for your dog? You might have tried everything—from medication to surgery to acupuncture—and still seen no improvement in his condition.
It is normal for many people to feel sad and guilty about deciding on euthanasia at such a young age.
But remember that your dog is not suffering anymore and is in a better place now.
How to know if your dog needs to be euthanized?
There are many reasons why you may be considering euthanizing your dog.
If your dog is in pain
Studies show that dogs feel pain just like humans do, so if your pet is suffering from an incurable disease or injury, it may be time to discuss euthanasia with your vet.
If you’re not sure whether they’re in pain, ask yourself:
- Is my dog able to eat and drink normally? Or does he seem lethargic or weak?
- Does he seem depressed or anxious?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then it’s likely that your dog is suffering physically as well as emotionally—and this makes him eligible for euthanasia under most circumstances.
In some cases where there’s no guarantee of relief from his suffering (for example, terminal cancer), getting advice from multiple veterinarians might be helpful before making any decisions about ending his life prematurely.
Do dogs cry when euthanized?
You might wonder if a dog will cry when it’s euthanized.
The answer is that they’re not capable of crying and they don’t feel pain in the same ways humans do.
They have a different way of expressing their emotions, which are often more subtle than humans’, so it may be difficult for you to tell if your pet is feeling upset or distressed about something.
If you’re worried about your dog’s behavior before its death, talk to your vet and ask them how much distress the animal may be experiencing.
In most cases, the animals do not appear to be suffering when they’re put down.
However, some owners report that their pets were obviously afraid or sad prior to being put down – so there is no way for us humans with our limited knowledge about what goes on inside an animal’s mind to know exactly how comfortable our family members are at times like this!
What happens when you euthanize your dog?
Once a dog has been euthanized, the body will be taken to a vet to be cremated.
The ashes are collected from this vet and given back to you, along with a certificate that details what has been done.
This is only if you want them – some people prefer to keep their pet’s ashes rather than burying or scattering them elsewhere.
If you do choose to have your pet’s ashes returned to you, make sure that someone is able to come and collect them for you when they’re ready.
A necropsy (post-mortem examination) may then be carried out on an animal that has died in order for vets who weren’t directly involved with its care or treatment during its lifetime to establish whether there were any underlying causes of death that could affect other animals in the future
Conclusion
It is hard to say when it is the right time but in this article, we have talked about some of the signs that will help you know when your dog is ready.
It may seem like an easy decision but it is actually one of the hardest things you will ever do so make sure you are ready and that your dog is ready.
