Some of the most complex decisions you must make for your beloved pet revolve around end-of-life care. Sadly, discussing and determining when the time is appropriate for their compassionate euthanasia is a decision you are likely to face at some point. 

Knowing when to say “Goodbye” to your pet can be heart-wrenching because they can’t tell you when they are ready. Our Lebanon Animal Hospital team is often asked, “How will I know when it’s time to say ’Goodbye’?” so we are providing guidelines and considerations about making this difficult decision.

If you’ve had to make this decision before, you know that, ultimately, compassionate euthanasia is a great gift to end your pet’s suffering, providing them with a peaceful passing. Our team’s aim is to help your pet remain comfortable and calm during their remaining time with you. 

Every pet, situation, and illness is different

Every pet and situation is different when considering end-of-life care. A pet may experience a medical crisis, and deciding to end their suffering is a clear decision. Other times, your pet may be diagnosed with a debilitating disease, such as cancer or degenerative myelopathy, and your own physical, financial, and emotional resources impact your ability to care for your pet as they near their end of life. You know your pet best, but asking your veterinarian and trusted friends for input can also help you arrive at an appropriate direction. 

Your pet’s basic needs 

An important consideration when determining when to say ”Goodbye” to your pet is whether their basic needs are being met. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Physical needs — Is my pet eating, drinking, and eliminating without assistance? Are they mobile? Are they grooming themselves and making an effort to stay clean? Are they in pain?
  • Emotional needs — Is my pet calm and happy? Are they stressed and anxious all the time? 
  • Social needs — Is my pet able to participate in family life? Can they participate in activities they have enjoyed in the past, such as playing ball, socializing with loved ones, or being able to access their favorite spots? 

Your pet’s quality of life

If you determine that your pet’s basic needs are being met, you also need to assess their quality of life. Veterinary professionals use a quality-of-life scale to determine a pet’s baseline well-being and track changes over time. Your input is an integral part of this process, and monitoring changes in your pet’s situation can be challenging. 

Keeping a quality-of-life journal or log can be invaluable. By objectively writing down your observations and thoughts, you can track your pet’s eating and elimination habits, mobility, mood, and overall condition. 

We also recommend using a daily, weekly, or monthly hurt, hunger, hydration, hygiene, happiness, mobility, and more good days than bad (HHHHHMM) quality-of-life scale, available at Pawspice.com and developed by veterinary oncologist Alice Villalobos. The HHHHHMM scale assesses pets’ quality-of-life considerations:

  • Hurt —  Is your pet hurting?
  • Hunger —  Is your pet eating well, or do you need to be hand-fed or encouraged to eat? 
  • Hydration —  Is your pet well hydrated? Are they always thirsty because of disease?
  • Hygiene —  Does your pet groom themself? Are they able to stay clean? 
  • Happiness —  Is your pet responsive to household activity, or are they depressed and isolated? 
  • Mobility —  Can your pet get around independently?
  • More good days than bad — When tracking your pet’s days, note good days and bad days. Over time, are they having more good or bad days?

Pain and your pet

When thinking about when the right time to say “Goodbye” to your pet may be, you must consider their pain and suffering. Pets are in pain when they exhibit any of the following signs: 

  • Hides and avoids interaction
  • Trembles or shakes
  • Cries out or whimpers spontaneously or when touched
  • Avoids moving around or is reluctant to get up from a reclining position
  • Has a diminished appetite
  • Is not grooming regularly
  • Has difficulty sleeping or resting

These signs’ increasing frequency or severity indicate that pain needs to be addressed. Mild or moderate pain can be addressed by our veterinarian with medications and other therapies. However, if your pet’s pain persists with treatment, you need to consider compassionate euthanasia. 

When to say “Goodbye” to your pet

Knowing when to say “Goodbye” to your pet is never easy, and your experiences, feelings, and thoughts can prevent you from making an informed decision. Our Lebanon Animal Hospital veterinarian is a trusted resource for explaining your pet’s disease and quality of life, presenting options for keeping your furry pal comfortable as they approach the end of their life. 

You may find comfort in knowing that pets live in the present moment and don’t think about the good days behind them or what their future may hold. All a pet knows is how they feel right now. By understanding your pet’s perspective, you can appreciate their outlook through their eyes, and this is the most essential consideration to think about. Contact our Lebanon Animal Hospital team if you need help making end-of-life decisions for your cherished pet.