They are always puppies (and kittens) to us, aren’t they? As they get older, we might notice the gray hairs or the little loss of weight or even the slower movements. But besides getting them the vet help they might need, we like to believe that none of it means anything. That these perfect beings will be with us forever. But the reality is that you’ll be helping your dog at the end of their life, one way or another.
And though we don’t like to think about these things, it’s better to think it through now rather than waiting until it’s an emergency or suddenly upon us.
The more prepared we are, the less stress we’ll experience about the logistics. Because of that, we can focus on the relationship with our beloved fur friends and not be distracted by the what and how of it all.
Here are some things you could consider:
Their comfort
Our number one priority, of course, should be their comfort. Dogs are noble and loving creatures who give us so much and they are owed an easy passing.
As they get older, even before they are in imminent decline, they may need different kinds of pain control. Talk to your vet and make sure your dog is not suffering unnecessarily.
They might also need different helpful methods of getting their nutrition and hydration needs met.
Other animals
If you have other animals in your home, how might this affect them? In particular, will they be able to grieve if your older dog suddenly disappears?
It can be helpful for everyone involved to have time with the body. Just like humans. Dogs grieve. And seeing that their friend is no longer with them can help them to understand and process.
If your dog passes at the vet, take the body home before proceeding to cremation or burial. Lay them on the floor on a blanket and let the others have some time.
Euthanasia versus natural death
This is a very personal decision. There are a lot of factors involved, including the animal’s decline and your capacity to care for someone who is sick and dying. Do not judge yourself if you feel you cannot take care of them at home until their last breath without the help of euthanasia services.
But you can have a service scheduled to come to your house and administer euthanasia. People who provide this service are amazing. The advantage is that your dog will not be stressed by a visit to the vet and that they get to pass away in familiar surroundings. And again, other dogs or animals in the family can see what happens.
If your dog is not suffering and their symptoms can be managed by you at home, you might be able to help them die naturally. This can be complicated, and you should discuss how to support this with your vet.
Questions to consider when it comes to helping them at home:
- Are you able and comfortable administering meds or even IV hydration?
- Can you keep watch over them so they don’t hurt themselves by trying to do things they used to be able to do?
- Do you have the time to do this level of nursing?
Hospicing an animal is a privilege but it’s not for everyone, and it’s why there are professionals.
And because that’s a hard topic, here are some of our Sundance Retrievers planned litters you can dream about.