Old, or suffering?
The hardest part is telling the difference between a pet who is simply old and a pet who is actually suffering. It's not cut and dry, and every pet is different. But here is what tends to be true.
A pet who is just old
- Still living day to day, just at a slower pace.
- Sleeps well.
- Eats two meals a day, with some treats in between.
- Gets out for several walks a day.
- Greets you when you come and go.
- The walks may be shorter. They may not chase the ball anymore. That's okay.
A pet who is suffering
- Has stopped most of the normal day-to-day functions.
- Spends a lot of time lying down, but rarely truly sleeping.
- Has a hard time settling.
- Pants even when not obviously exerting themselves.
- Behavior changes: hiding when they're normally social, or the reverse.
- Some hold on to one thing. A few dogs never stop eating, even in real pain.
The signs that matter most.
When a family isn't sure, these are the signs I've found most reliable that a pet is suffering, sometimes before the family sees it:
- A significant change in activity level or demeanor.
- They've stopped eating.
- They won't go for the walks they used to love.
- They no longer want to engage with the family.
Sometimes it looks worse than it is.
Not every frightening symptom means the end. One we see often is Idiopathic Vestibular Disease in older pets. Families think their dog has had a stroke, when it's usually an inner-ear condition.
The signs are a head tilt, trouble walking or getting up, loss of appetite, vomiting, and rapid eye movements. The cause isn't fully understood, but the good news is it often just needs supportive care and resolves on its own. Always see your primary veterinarian to rule out other conditions. I'd rather you know than assume the worst.
"I have never euthanized a patient too soon. I have had families wait too long."
Dr. Katie Matzke, DVMIf you feel guilty for even considering it.
Give yourself grace. You would not be considering this if there were a better option available to you. Euthanasia literally means "good death." When there's a terminal diagnosis and you've exhausted reasonable treatment, the ability to give your pet a peaceful end, surrounded by family, is a gift. It's the last one, and it's a real one.
A way to think clearly when you're overwhelmed.
When everything feels subjective, it helps to have a framework. The International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care has several quality-of-life checklists that turn something deeply emotional into something a little more objective. They can help you see whether it's time, or whether more diagnostics or treatment are worth considering first.
When your vet has already said it's time.
If your primary vet has told you it's time but you're not ready, take the time you need. In general, once there's a terminal diagnosis and you've exhausted the medical and surgical options, any time after that is an okay time. When the signs are only going to get worse, that's when I'd gently suggest making the decision.
And usually, when a family isn't ready, it isn't the pet who isn't ready. It's us. That's deeply human, and it's okay. Euthanasia is, in the end, a selfless act.
Still not sure? That's what the Comfort Care Assessment is for.
If you've read all of this and still aren't sure, you don't have to decide alone. The Comfort Care Assessment is an in-person quality-of-life exam. Dr. Katie comes to your home, examines your pet, and spends real time talking with you about what you've been seeing. A call to schedule one is not a commitment to euthanasia. It's a commitment to your pet.
About the Comfort Care Assessment