Making The Hard Decisions - When To Have Your Pet Put To Sleep
There are few things harder for a pet owner than coming to the realisation that their pet is so elderly or unwell that it may need to be put to sleep. For many loving owners, the very idea seems horrible, but there can come a time when it is far crueller to keep your beloved pet alive than to let them peacefully pass away with the help of an experienced vet.
Consider your pet’s quality of life
When you’re deciding whether to put your pet down or not, the biggest question in your mind should be concerning its quality of life. Things to consider are:
- Whether your pet is still able to enjoy interaction with you and other people or animals.
- Whether they have begun to lose control of bodily functions. For example, can they control their bladder or bowels?
- Whether they still enjoy eating and if they still have an appetite for food.
- Whether they can still move around easily and without pain.
Once an animal is unable to enjoy these basic things, you may be causing them undue suffering by keeping them alive. A cat that can’t keep itself clean is likely to become stressed and a dog that doesn’t want to interact with its owner is clearly unhappy.
Get an expert opinion
Of course, you don’t have to make the decision alone. Choose a vet you trust and let them help you decide whether it would be kinder to put your pet down.
Find compassionate and professionals vets at the Ku-Ring-Gai Veterinary Hospital and Pet Clinic, call 02 9119 5907 to make an appointment.
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