When is It Time to Euthanize an Old Dog

Different breeds of dogs age at different rates. While some small dogs might live into their late teens, a large dog can often be on its last legs before it has reached the age of ten years.

Other than accidents, the leading killer of pet dogs includes cancer, diabetes, and other problems that occur as a dog reaches its senior years. Sometimes dog owners are not aware that their dog is actually suffering from a health problem and attribute their dogs failing health to old age alone.

If your dog is older and not thriving, you should take it to a veterinarian for a general health check. People who own young dogs should be aware that many health problems that show up later in life can be related to a poor quality diet earlier in life as many ingredients in dog food have been linked to causing cancer, diabetes, and other health problems.

The veterinarian will give you advice in regards to health concerns in your senior dog. The veterinarian may also council you as to your dogs chances of a full recovery, or if your dog is on a downward trail. They will cover some aspects of ongoing care your dog may need, and cost of such, as well they can give you an idea about how much pain, and/or suffering, your dog may be experiencing.

At this time it is up to you, the dog’s owner, to decide if you want to invest in care for your dog, leave it to see what happens, or euthanize it.

Most people will either take the wait and see approach or will invest in further care costs for their dog to prolong its life. If the dog has truly reached a point of suffering it is totally understandable why a person may euthanize it at this veterinarian visit, but having said that, it is a pity that a person would allow their dog to suffer so bad before taking it to a veterinarian in the first place.

Before you make the decision, talk to your veterinarian in regards to how they end the dog’s life, what they do with the body, and other details you might want to know ahead of time.

When the Dogs Bad Days Outnumber its Good Days

A general rule of thumb is that a dog should be humanely euthanized when its bad days outnumber its good ones. That said, if the dog is suffering more than it is enjoying life, an owner may opt to euthanize it. Not every dog owner may feel this way, some people simply cannot bring themselves to euthanize their beloved pet no matter what condition it is in.

If your dog is old, in pain, and suffering, it is not fair to dump it in a shelter to let them “deal with it” nor is it fair to leave it to die on its own, or to wander off in pain (dogs DO NOT wander off to die… they wander off and die). If your dog is dying and you do not want to put it to sleep humanely at least have the courtesy to take care of it up until the time it breathes its last breath.  In some areas letting a pet suffer is considered neglect.

The debate will rage on as to whether or not it is cruel to allow a dog to suffer and die on its own, rather than euthanizing it. People will often feel guilty over putting a dog to sleep, others will feel guilty about letting it suffer.

One thing worth considering is that in the United States alone, over 4 million pets, many in good health, are euthanized every year simply because there are a lack of homes. Some people may justify euthanizing a sick, suffering, old dog, (one whose bad days outnumber its good ones) in that they can then adopt a dog from a shelter who would otherwise be euthanized.*

*Buying from a pet store actually contributes to cruelty because it encourages unethical, cruel, breeding.

Go in Peace

I prefer to be with the veterinarian when the injection is given, I have been there for the deaths of many shelter pets (strays and those left by owners).  My own ritual is to simply say to the animal “Go in Peace”.  if you are facing the loss of a beloved dog, I offer my sympathies, may your pet go in peace.