When is the right time to say goodbye?
If you are wondering when is the right time to say goodbye to your pet; the answer is, you may never feel ready… Your pet is part of your family and if they could live forever that would be amazing!
Here we can help you learn what to look for when your pet is ready to cross the rainbow bridge. We understand that it can be really hard to know when to put your dog or cat to sleep. But remember, it shows a massive amount of love and selflessness to make that decision and gift your pet with a pain-free, peaceful passing.
PLEASE NOTE: Your pet may continue to eat and walk even though they are suffering.
How to assess if your pet is struggling?
Does your pet still enjoy their favourite activities e.g. fetching?
Does your pet seem tired or grumpy?
Has your pet been diagnosed by a vet with pain?
Are they already on pain or palliation medication? Has it improved their quality of life?
Is your pet able to make it outside in time to urinate and/or defecate?
Has your pet got a medical condition that will only worsen with time? (kidney disease, cancer, arthritic pain)
Has your regular vet mentioned it “could be time soon”?
Have your friends or family made comments about how much they have aged since the last time they saw them?
Good days VS Bad days
Are you confused when is the right time to say goodbye to your dog / cat? Is your pet still eating or still interested in treats? Do they still want to get up to go from a walk even though they are tired and stiff? Its important to note that our pets will keep some of these parts of them even when they are ready to cross the rainbow bridge.
To see if there are more overall good days or bad days, you can mark on a calendar each day for the next month.
When we see them everyday, sometimes we don’t notice how much they are struggling. Talking to a veterinary team member can help you see the changes.
Signs that it could be time
Change in breathing
Change in their ‘normal smell’
Taking themselves away
Not settling through the night
You can feel their bones easily through their skin
Breathing faster than usual
Sleeping more often/ no energy
Struggling to get up
Unable to make it outside to the toilet
Is vomiting, has diarrhea or nausea
Recent change in eating or drinking habits
