Pet Euthanasia – Things to Consider When Making this Difficult Decision

Pet Euthanasia – Things to Consider When Making this Difficult Decision

When you first get a puppy or kitten, you think about all the good times ahead. You think about playing with your pet, house training it, teaching it tricks, or taking it out for long walks. You never think about what would happen if your pet were to get terminally ill or face a serious injury. Also, you never think about whether you should let nature take its course or if you should have your pet euthanized.

It might seem counter intuitive to think about your pet’s final days while it is still a puppy or a kitten. However, the sooner you plan the better it will be for all parties concerned.  If your pet should become terminally ill or suffer a life-threatening injury, there are a number of things to consider.

Talk with Your Veterinarian about Pet Euthanasia – It is better to have a frank discussion with your veterinarian about euthanasia now than later. Most veterinarians are pet lovers too. They will be able to sympathize and empathize with you concerning this delicate matter.

Discuss Euthanizing Your Pet with Friends and Family – While it might not be the most pleasant conversation to have, seeking the counsel of people close to you will help you in the decision process. Most likely, you will discover that they too have had to decide whether to euthanize a pet or not. Their advice will prove to be immeasurable since it will come from the heart.

Does my dog or cat have a terminal disease? Pets, like people, develop health issues that severely impact their quality of life. Some of these issues are cancer, diabetes, kidney and bladder problems, liver issues, or immune deficiencies. While there a lot of medications on the market that can help alleviate your pet’s suffering, most of them will not completely cure your dog or cat of a specific disease.

How much suffering is my pet experiencing? Pets cannot communicate how they are feeling. Therefore, it is difficult to determine how much suffering they are going through. With the proper diagnoses, a veterinarian can tell you how a disease is affecting your pet. This should give you a general idea as to the level of discomfort it is feeling.

Will I be able to provide my pet with round-the-clock care? The logistics of taking care of a dog or cat with a long-term disease can be quite daunting. Currently, there are no at-home professional pet care services available to take care of your pet when you are not around. This means that you will have to rely on family, friends, or neighbors while you are working or tending to other pressing matters. The special attention required to care for a pet with a long-term illness can be quite taxing on all parties concerned.

Can I Afford to Keep My Pet Alive? In a perfect world, we would spare no expense to keep our pets alive for as long as possible. Unfortunately, we live in the real world. The cost of veterinarian visits, purchasing medications, taking unpaid time off from work to care for a terminally ill pet can place a huge financial strain most people. Therefore, the decision to have your pet euthanized might possibly be the best option you can exercise when dealing with a pet that is suffering from a terminal disease.

In conclusion, determining whether you should keep a terminally ill pet alive or have it euthanized is a very emotional and personal decision – one that pet parents must face eventually. It is a good idea to research and have a general idea as to what you want to do while your pet is still young and healthy. Discussing it with a veterinarian will help you immensely when weighing the options. You might also want to talk it out with friends and family. When debating as to letting your pet pass on naturally or having it euthanized there some things you should consider: does the pet have a terminal illness? Is it suffering? Can you provide round-the-clock care? Can you afford the high-level of care a terminally ill pet requires?  By researching and planning, you will be able to reduce the stress of having to make a very sad and difficult decision.

Do you have any advice concerning pet euthanasia?

If yes, please share it in the comments section.

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