Pet Care Articles
Courtesy of PetSide.com
The hardest decision you make about your pet will also likely be the last one. Most dogs and cats need to be euthanized, says Dr. Jules Benson, Vice President of Veterinary Services at Petplan. This is, however, a decision nobody wants to make.
Conversely, it can also be a difficult decision to keep your pet alive. Here are some things to consider:
How to Gauge Your Pet’s Quality of Life
Consider whether your pet is doing the things he previously enjoyed, such as running around the yard or chasing leaves.
“If your pets can’t do the things that they like to do it’s time to consider letting them go,” says Dr. Brenda Stevens, Clinical Assistant Professor at the North Carolina State School of Veterinary Medicine.
She suggests using online quality of life scales from sites such as The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement or the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, which can help you formulate your thoughts.
Benson advises keeping a simple calendar. “When bad days outnumber good days on a weekly basis, this can often be a fair assessment for a quality of life decision,” he says.
How to Handle the Guilt That the Decision Brings
“The knowledge that you, along with your pet’s veterinarian, did everything you could for the health and wellbeing of your pet will help ease the distress of saying goodbye,” says Benson. “Once you have made the decision to euthanize, try not to second guess yourself or doubt your decision. Rest assured that your pet knew how much you loved him.”
How to Tell Your Children
Stevens suggests that you speak to your kids as honestly as you can. She cautions against saying your pet ran away or that your pet was put to sleep, since the latter can cause some children to be scared of going to sleep.
Good books for kids on this topic are The Tenth Good Thing About Barney; Cat Heaven; and Dog Heaven.
Also, let kids deal with their grief in any way they need to, Stevens says. They might want to hold a little memorial or plant a tree over their pet’s ashes.
"When a pet dies, children sometimes fear that a parent or other loved one may also die,” Benson says. “It is helpful to explain the difference in pet life spans, to assure your child that people usually die when they are old. Explain that it’s natural for your child to miss his pet, and make sure to tell your child that you will miss his pet, too."
If You Decide to Keep Your Pet Alive, How Can You Keep Her as Comfortable as Possible?
Look at whether your pet’s pain is manageable, says Stevens. “You need to have a good talk with your vet about whether you’re doing everything you can to keep your pet safe and secure. Make sure she can’t harm herself, if she’s blind for example.”
“Look for ways to keep your pet happy and contented,” says Benson. “Bring the pet’s bed closer to family activities so that he can remain part of the family activities, if he isn’t as mobile as he used to be.” You can also help facilitate the things you know your pet loves, like watching the birds, or sitting in sunshine.
Benson also recommends that you consider welcoming another pet into your home. This, he says, can help your pet, since youngsters can put some pep into their step. It can also help you after the eventual death, meaning the house isn’t as empty.