When Is It Time To Say Goodbye? A Veterinarian’s Guide To Euthanizing a Beloved Pet
When Is It Time To Say Goodbye? A Veterinarian’s Guide To Euthanizing a Beloved Pet
Written by Alessandro Didiano (Doctor in Veterinary Medicine, MRCVS)
Disclaimer: This article is personally written by me, a licensed veterinarian with more than a decade of clinical experience. It’s for general information only and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a vet for health concerns or emergencies.
The old lady signed the consent form. I respectfully left the room and came back a couple of minutes later with all I needed: clippers, an intravenous catheter, skin tape, a syringe for an intravenous flush, and another one containing 10 ml of pentobarbital.
I was 25 years old and fresh out of veterinary school. The patient, Rocco, was a 14-year-old, lovely dog with liver cancer. The cancer had spread all over his lungs, and Rocco could not breathe properly unless on oxygen. Together with his loving owner, an 80-something-year-old sweet lady, we decided that it was time to let him go.
I clipped his fur on one of his front legs and inserted the catheter into his cephalic vein. I secured the catheter with some tape and confirmed its correct positioning with a flush of sterile saline. “We can start when you are ready,” I said.
“I am ready,” said the old lady, her voice starting to break already, while offering him some of his favorite treats. He smelled the treats but didn’t eat them, probably feeling very nauseous. “This means it is really time,” she cried.
I took the syringe with the pentobarbital and started injecting it. Rocco became unconscious in a few seconds, and his heart stopped.
“Goodbye, Rocco. Now I am really alone,” cried the lady.
A tear came down my face, but I tried to fight it. I confirmed Rocco’s death and gently left the room. I rushed into the bathroom and looked at the mirror. I had just performed my first euthanasia.
More than a decade later, I have performed hundreds and hundreds of euthanasias. As a veterinarian, there is no doubt that one of the most heartbreaking yet essential conversations I have to have with pet owners is about euthanasia—particularly when it’s time to say goodbye.
If you are reading this, chances are you may be struggling with this painful decision right now, wondering, “Am I doing the right thing? Or should I wait a little longer?”
In this article, I would like to help you assess your pet’s quality of life, understand what to expect when the dreadful time comes, and learn how to cope with the inevitable grief that follows.
Assessing Your Pet’s Quality of Life
One of the things I often say to my clients is, “Believe it or not, I had no single lecture about euthanasia at vet school.” It’s true. Maybe things have changed now, but when I was at vet school between 2008 and 2014, nobody ever taught me when I should consider euthanasia or how to have this difficult conversation. It sounds shocking, but it’s true.
All I learned about euthanasia came with time and experience, and unfortunately, my original lack of knowledge due to inadequate preparation at vet school caused some less-than-ideal moments during the first phase of my career.
While the decision to euthanize a pet is never easy, there are some clear indications that your pet’s quality of life is poor or severely affected. We often use a Quality of Life Scale (https://journeyspet.com/pet-quality-of-life-scale-calculator/ ) to help pet owners evaluate their pet’s well-being. Some key factors we consider include:
- Pain and discomfort: Is your pet suffering from severe pain that can’t be managed with medications or other treatments? Chronic pain can manifest with symptoms such as reluctance to move, restlessness, limping, and whimpering.
- Mobility and independence: Can they still get up and walk? Can they perform their daily activities? If they can barely stand, fall continuously, or suffer from severe urinary and fecal incontinence, their quality of life might be compromised.
- Appetite and hydration: Is your pet eating and drinking? A complete lack of appetite and thirst can indicate severe medical conditions.
- Engagement: Do they still enjoy their favorite activities (such as interacting with other pets, greeting their favorite humans, or playing)? If they have completely withdrawn from life, this might indicate severe suffering.
- Terminal illnesses: Are they suffering from a terminal illness, such as cancer or organ failure? If there is no hope for treatment, it might be best to consider euthanasia.
Another good rule of thumb is to make a list of your pet’s five favorite things. This list could look something like this: chasing the ball, sleeping in the sun, greeting family at the door, having a daily walk, and looking for treats in the garden. If they can’t enjoy most or all of them, it might be time to consider letting them go.
Preparing for the Final Goodbye
Home or Clinic?
The most common practice is to perform euthanasia at the vet’s office, but more and more vets now offer at-home euthanasia. This allows pets to pass in a peaceful and familiar environment.
How to Make Their Last Moments Peaceful
- Offer them their favorite food, even if it’s not normally allowed.
- Keep them in a calm and comfortable space, wrapped in their favorite blanket.
- Talk to them softly, if you can.
- Put their favorite toy beside them, if they have one.
Coping with the Loss
Throughout my career, I have seen people cope in different ways with the loss of their pets. Some just go about their daily activities as soon as they leave the vet’s office, while others are deeply affected. Everyone deals with grief in their own way.
If you need to, allow yourself time for grieving. Take some days off work if you can, and don’t hesitate to ask for support from friends and family. In recent years, many pet loss support groups have formed, and they can be really helpful during this time.
Honoring Your Pet’s Memory
Many grieving pet owners find emotional comfort in creating a way to remember their beloved friend.
Some choose to plant a tree, create a scrapbook, or keep a special item that reminds them of their pet.
One meaningful option is a paw print memorial kit, which allows you to preserve your pet’s paw impression alongside a photo. It’s a simple but effective way to keep their memory close. If this feels right for you, you can find a highly-rated keepsake kit here .
Books to Help You Through Pet Loss
As an avid reader myself, I believe that reading is one of the most powerful ways to deal with strong emotions. Reading about pet loss can help you process your emotions and provide guidance.
My most recommended books on the topic include:
You Are Not Alone
There is no doubt that the decision to say goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest you will ever make. However, at the same time, it is also one of the most selfless.
From my experience, I can confidently say that in 99% of cases when I am asked to euthanize a pet, the request comes from a crying and heartbroken person. Choosing to end your pet’s suffering is an act of love, not abandonment.
If you are struggling with this difficult decision, I encourage you to seek veterinary advice. Speak with your veterinarian, tell them how you feel, and ask them questions. That’s what we are here for. You are making one of the most difficult decisions of your life, and you should never feel alone during such an important moment.