Deciding when to consider dog euthanasia or cat euthanasia is a challenging and deeply personal decision, influenced by many factors. One important consideration is recognizing that it's okay to say goodbye while your pet still has some good days. You don't have to wait for their condition to worsen significantly.
"Although it might feel premature to let go on a good day, delaying the decision can lead to additional challenges and regrets."
So, how do you determine the right time? How do you balance between acting too early and waiting too long?
Let me share a story about a sweet old kitty with congestive heart failure that I cared for in hospice. As her condition worsened, her breathing became more labored each day, even with adjustments in her medication. It was clear her heart was struggling, and the end was nearing.
We started planning for her in-home euthanasia—not as a fixed date, but as a flexible plan:
• Holding time aside each day for a planned goodbye
• Every day, we would reassess
• Deciding whether to proceed with our in-home euthanasia appointment or give it another day
• The process would then repeat
"It's a delicate balance, but my job is to support the pet while also honoring the owner's wishes, ensuring they don't feel pressured or rushed into a decision they might later regret."
Understanding and accepting the risks, the owner did wish to wait and spend "one more day" with her, but that night, her condition took a turn for the worse. She went into severe distress, and her owner had to rush her to the ER for euthanasia. It was a stressful ride in a carrier she hated, saying goodbye in a clinic instead of the comfort of home. This wasn't the peaceful farewell her owner had hoped for, and it left her with guilt and regret despite getting the extra time with her girl.
And that hurts. It breaks everyone's heart. Because sometimes, no matter what you do, it's hard to get it right, and hindsight always seems to have the answers.
Making the Choice
What is certain, is that either outcome would have been difficult. Letting her go on a better day would have left her feeling guilty for acting too soon, missing out on more precious moments. And waiting too long led to a distressing experience for both.
So, how do you walk this tightrope? Without hindsight, how do you choose the right path?
Consider:
• Would I rather be a few days early, knowing I'd be missing out on some precious time?
• Am I okay with waiting until my pet experiences distress, knowing I was able to cherish every last moment possible?
• What choice would leave me feeling better, less guilty, and with fewer regrets?
Consider the possible outcomes of each path based on your pet's situation and choose the scenario that feels (most) right for you and your pet.
"It is incredibly challenging to find the right day, which is why we shift focus to finding the best—not the most perfect—day possible, taking into account all the unique circumstances of the situation."
While "which outcome can I best live with" may seem like a simplistic approach, it can help frame the situation in a new or different way and help determine the best time for you and your pet, which is a very personal decision.
Remember:
You are not the reason for your pet's life ending; it's the disease and impact that disease is having on quality of life. Pet euthanasia isn't about shortening life; it's about shortening the dying process.