Life with a pet is a joy unlike any other, from the moment you meet your precious friend until their final hours. Pets bring companionship and love to their human families. As your pet nears the end, you may feel stressed and upset, troubled at the thought of losing your companion.
We understand how difficult dealing with an elderly or sick pet can be. We want all pet owners to feel empowered and informed about helping their pets through this transition. End-of-life care provides you and your pet comfort and security, yet it can be tricky to determine when to pursue it.
In this guide, we’ll examine how end-of-life care works and what it brings to pets and their owners. We’ll explain how to know when your pet needs care, along with details about euthanasia and how to make the process as painless as possible.
After considering the right course of action for you and your pet, reach out to Penny Paws Animal Clinic for help.
How To Know When Your Pet Needs End-of-life Care
Determining whether your pet needs end-of-life care doesn’t have to be logistically hard. Consider certain important criteria.
How old is your pet? Dogs and cats have expected lifespans that vary from breed to breed. Older pets, as they approach the end of their lives, often develop severe health issues, such as arthritis, infections, or even cancer.
Terminal illnesses that cause your pet intense pain and suffering may warrant end-of-life care, regardless of age sometimes. Pets experiencing constant, intense pain with no real sign of healing may benefit from this care. It’s ultimately up to you to decide when (or whether) to help end your pet’s suffering. However, consulting with an experience veterinarian can help give you the guidance and peace of mind needed to make a decision.
Keep in mind that pets don’t recognize their illnesses as “terminal.” All they understand is that they are in considerable pain and distress. Does your pet seem to be in pain more often than not? Do they lack obvious pleasure in their usual activities, such as eating, sleeping, and playing?
If so, you might want to take a moment to consider how they’re really feeling, as pets don’t often express discomfort as vocally as humans. Their tolerance for even chronic pain is much higher than ours, and they may be dealing with much more than we realize. Try to see it from their perspective.
Helping Your Elderly Pet
End-of-life care encompasses more than one treatment method. Euthanasia, or putting your pet to sleep, stands out as one of the most common ways of handling end-of-life scenarios. However, you may also use pet hospice care and at-home techniques to help your elderly pet.
At-Home Care
Elderly animals deserve to live their final days with as little pain as possible. The following are important steps you can take to minimize your pet’s pain:
- Provide a warm, comfortable place to sleep with many cushions.
- Watch for incontinence and issues going to the bathroom.
- Give your pet easy access to their favorite toys and treats.
- Work with a veterinarian to provide care for health problems.
Taking these steps is important. However, you may want to consider pet hospice care.
Pet Hospice Care
Pet hospice (or palliative) care helps pets handle terminal illnesses, which often cause intense distress and suffering. Hospice care helps pets feel more at peace and calm as they approach the end of their lives.
Pet hospice care uses medications and dietary aids to help minimize pain. However, pet hospice care requires a considerable amount of time and effort, so it’s not something to enter into lightly. Pet owners keen on improving their pet’s quality of life must understand pet hospice care requires that they take charge of their pet’s health on a consistent and daily basis.
By working with your veterinarian, you can develop a unique, thorough palliative care plan optimized for your pet’s circumstances.
How To Navigate the Euthanasia Process
The thought of putting a pet to sleep can be troubling. Nobody wants to say goodbye to their beloved pet. However, for pets burdened with chronic, terminal pain, euthanasia may be the best way to relieve their discomfort.
As your pet’s condition deteriorates, you may feel more stressed than you were before. You and your pet deserve a peaceful resolution. It’s best to plan for euthanasia in advance so you and your family can emotionally process the loss of your pet.
Once you’ve decided to euthanize your pet, take a few days or weeks to cherish time with them. Give them plenty of treats and relive happy memories you once shared. Make their final days extraordinary.
If you have children, talk with them in an appropriate way about euthanasia. Ensure your family is ready to say goodbye before taking your pet to the veterinarian. Bringing one or more of your pet’s favorite treats or toys can help comfort them throughout the process.
Your veterinarian will brief you about the procedure. You may choose to be in the same room as your pet as they pass on, or you can stay outside. Euthanasia is entirely painless; your pet simply relaxes, and their pain ends.
After your pet has passed on, take time to grieve their loss. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, or distraught. Take comfort in family and friends, and when you’re ready, make plans for burying or cremating your pet.
Cherish your pet’s memory. Plant flowers in their name or place pictures of them throughout your home. As time goes on, your pain will recede, and you will feel nothing but happiness and joy at the thought of your beloved friend.
Contact Penny Paws Animal Clinic for Professional Vet Care
You don’t have to navigate your pet’s final days alone. Penny Paws Animal Clinic provides compassionate, thorough end-of-life care. We work with you to determine the best course of action for you and your beloved pet, and we specialize in both palliative care and euthanasia.
Contact Penny Paws Animal Clinic to schedule an appointment. We have five locations for you to visit, one being in DeSoto, TX. Our professionals are always ready to help.