• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Know the signs so you can prepare to euthanize your dog

Posted December 12, 2022

 
Old dog lying on the floor. Learn to recognize the signs and prepare to euthanize your dog.
When you know the end of your dog’s life is near, either due to old age or terminal disease, there are things you can do to make your dog’s transition to the other side less painful and more comfortable.

Losing a pet is one of the saddest experiences you can go through. No matter how young or old we are, losing a beloved dog that has been with you through thick and thin is a painful experience. It is even harder knowing that you will ultimately have to decide when to euthanize your dog. 

When you know the end of your dog’s life is near, either due to old age or terminal disease, there are things you can do to make your dog’s transition to the other side less painful and more comfortable.

Whether it is modifying your home to make their lives easier, giving soothing medication for particular ailments, or providing canine hospice care in their final days, we can give our dogs the send-off they deserve.

Here are a few tips for a smoother transition before euthanizing your dog.

Comfort your dog as he ages 

Take steps to help your aging dog like this golden retriever.
Just like their owners, older dogs face new ailments as they age. Some of the most common ailments include limited mobility, arthritis, and diminished hearing and eyesight.

On average, dogs live between 9 and 13 years of age, depending on their breed and lifestyle. You will need to make changes when your pup gets close to this age. Take steps to provide quality senior pet care to help keep your dog healthy for as long as possible. Doing so will keep your dog happy during their elder years and help them feel more at peace.

Just like their owners, older dogs face new ailments as they age. Some of the most common ailments include limited mobility, arthritis, and diminished hearing and eyesight.

As canines age, they tend to gain more weight as their activity levels diminish. This weight gain can hurt their weakened bodies and shorten their lives.

Keep your dog active with short walks, park visits, and toys.

At the same time, you can add supplements to their diets, including fish oil, or add a product like Ultra Oil, a blend of omega-3, 7, and 9 fatty acids from hemp oil, flaxseed oil, and fish oil from sardines and anchovies. Veterinarians believe adding fish oil reduces blood pressure and inflammation from arthritis.

The older your dog gets, the more frequently you should visit your veterinarian. Vets can offer guidance on caring for your pooch and performing health screenings that can detect disease.

You’ll also want to maintain good oral health, as pain and discomfort in the mouth can be agony for an older dog. Keep up the habit of brushing their teeth regularly.

Finally, modify your home to satisfy your dog’s needs by maintaining a warm environment and installing a ramp if your dog shows arthritis signs.

Provide relief with medication

If your dog is showing signs of pain, then comfort may not be enough. Instead, consider medicines for what ails them most. If your dog is hurting, then you should consult your veterinarian to understand the cause of the pain and the proper treatment. Many vets recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

NSAIDs are most commonly used for dogs experiencing fevers, arthritis, and inflammation in the joints, with some of the most common medications, including carprofen, meloxicam, and deracoxib. Some medicines can have mild side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, and skin ailments. You must keep an eye on your dog while taking NSAIDs so the medication does not end up causing more harm.

Many experts also talk about using new pain relievers made of cannabidiol (CBD), which is extracted from the buds of cannabis plants. Available in oil form, these treatments have been found to help dogs suffering from digestion problems, anxiety, and chronic inflammation, with some stating that they can even help with the effects of certain cancers.

Since CBD does not contain THC and does not affect the dog’s brain, it is available in many pet centers. The oil you choose must be independently lab-tested because the battery of tests that the medications go through ensures that they do not contain a trace of pesticides, heavy metals, or other dangerous components.

Using hospice care

Although we try to do everything we can to make our pets comfortable in their time of need, at some point, all we can do is prepare for their final days. It is perfectly OK for you to feel grief at this time, but you can find comfort in knowing that you are doing what you can to make your dog’s last days as enjoyable as possible.

In these final days, consider pet hospice care or supportive palliative care during the final phases of your dog’s life, either at a care facility or by providing care at home.

Your veterinarian can advise your dog’s specific needs, but it comes down to limiting suffering and creating a calm and comfortable atmosphere. Facilities that provide palliative care for your aging dog offer services based on your dog’s needs, including managing incontinence, bandage and wound care, and more. An internet search will lead you to dog palliative care facilities in your area. 

Saying goodbye

Once you realize that the final days have arrived, many pet owners decide to euthanize their dogs to prevent the dog’s ongoing pain and suffering. Euthanasia is a process that uses medications to sedate your dog before stopping his heart. If your dog has a terminal condition and shows noticeable signs of pain and discomfort, pet euthanasia can ultimately give them peace.

Our pets give us so much love and joy that the thought of losing them can be too sad to consider. But by providing end-of-life care and preparing to euthanize your dog is the least you can do to give your dog the caring send-off he deserves. 

– Noah Rue

Warning signs: 9 dog illness symptoms and what they mean

 

Related Posts

  • Woman cuddles with senior beagle. As your dog ages and becomes ill, it becomes important to evaluate your dog's quality of life using a know when to put your dog down checklist.
    Time to say goodbye? Use our when to put your dog down checklist

    Use a when to put your dog down checklist to…

  • Dogs may go through the five stages of grief -- denial/isolation, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance.
    Help your dog cope with grief

    Dogs grieve like people and may go through the five…

  • dog death grief
    Let yourself grieve your dog's death

    Knowing that your dog death grief will gradually lessen over…

  • dog owner holds dog collar and leash
    5 tips to help you cope with the death of a pet

    When the death of a pet happens, it is important…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health, Home Page Tagged With: Dog grief

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Pet sitterPit bullSheddingPandemicService dogstraining tipsSeparation anxietyYorkshire terrierWaterValentine's DayPuppy kindergartenOutdoor activitiesWorking dogsPomeranianVeterinarianRescue dogRottweilerPotty trainingSocializationThanksgivingOld dogsPetfinder.comSmall dogsPuppy-proofTwo dogsVacation dog careTicksPet parentsPawPoodle

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Use 5 factors to choose the best veterinarian for your dog
    Research thoroughly and consider location, services, experience, cost, and staff before choosing the right vet for your dog. […]
  • Fight insomnia: 12 tips to help your dog get good sleep
    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep all night by ensuring it gets enough exercise. […]
  • Dog fears: 10 ways to fight separation anxiety
    Separation anxiety is one of the most common dog fears. Use our 10 steps to help your dog become more confident and overcome her fear of being left alone. […]
  • Is amoxicillin safe? What antibiotic is most effective for dogs?
    Consult your vet before giving your dog antibiotics. Know when your dog needs medication and watch for allergic reactions. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.