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The thought of our dogs dying is something that we pet parents have a lot of difficulty with. But the reality is that, unlike your children or anyone else youve helped raise and take care of, your dog will probably not outlive you.

Even more sobering, you may end up facing a difficult decision about when to end the life of this precious friend and family member. Some dogs do pass peacefully on their own, but in many cases, the will to survive keeps a dog going long past the point of experiencing good quality of life.

While recent advances in veterinary medicine are nothing short of amazing, remember that just because you can prolong your pets life doesnt mean its in your dogs best interest to do so.

Most of the factors around aging and death are beyond our control, but the one thing you are able to do for your dog is alleviate undue pain and suffering. Arguably, no other decision you make about your dog will be as difficult as the one to euthanize, but in so many cases, its the only humane option.

If theres ever a time to put your dogs welfare ahead of your own needs, this is it. While the idea of living without your beloved pet can be devastating, the thought of them suffering should feel even worse.

So in considering what to do, ask yourself the following questions:

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You may find that everyone feels free to tell you what to do, but the responsibility for this choice is yours. This can be more difficult if you have a significant other whos also attached to your dog, and you disagree about the next steps. However, it can still weigh heavily on a single person.

People often say, Youll know when its time. In many cases thats true, but not always. But remember that no matter what people tell you, choosing euthanasia is not playing God any more than providing medical treatment to save a life is.

Your veterinarian is trained to save lives. Thats what they do, and thats why you go to them. But all they can do is delay, not prevent. No vet should make you feel guilty for choosing not to pursue treatment, even if you can afford it.

If your vet is advising euthanasia and youre reluctant, closely examine your own motives and see if theyre for your benefit or the dogs.Most people believe its better to euthanize your dog a day too early rather than a day too late.

Euthanasia ensures that youll be able to be with your dog at the moment they pass, so theyre not alone. While you dont have to be present, keep in mind that dogs often look to their most beloved humans when theyre fearful, and it may be quite traumatic for your furry friend if youre not with them.

That said, it may be best for kids or those who cannot remain calm to not stick around, or else they may make a stressful situation even worse for a frightened dog and other humans who are present.

Before your dog gets to the point where euthanasia is a consideration, and youre still fairly calm, write a list of what gives them a good quality of life. Decide how many of those points they can be without in old age and still enjoy their life.

For example:

Thats seven points. How many points do you think your dog needs to enjoy life, even if theyre not in pain?

If you believe they can maintain quality of life with four of those seven, then you know it may be time to consider euthanasia if they lose the ability to keep three of those points.

Promise yourself that youll consider other factors, such as pain, the kind of senility that causes fear, and a lack of bodily function and control that may cancel out any items on the list.

Next, decide how much money you can afford to spend on veterinary care. Make a decision, write it down, and stick to your plan when your emotions are off the chart.

If your dog is suffering, then theyve already lost most of the joy that comes from being a dog. The emotions surrounding this decision are mixed and complicated. To do whats best for our dogs, we need to realistically assess the criteria without allowing emotion to overwhelm the decision-making process.

Have you ever decided when to end your dogs suffering? How did you make your decision? Let us know in the comments below.

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How To Know When Its Time To Say Goodbye To Your Dog - DogTime

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