How Do I Know When It’s Time to Let My Pet Pass?

One of the hardest questions we will face as pet owners is “When is it time to say goodbye?“

Know that this is a very personal choice. It not only involves your pet’s quality of life, but also yours and your family’s. Watching your beloved pet decline may be harder for some than others. If they are just sleeping a lot, but comfortable, that’s far different from a situation where they are ill or have a diagnosis that will cause them suffering. All of these factors go into the choice we may ultimately have to make, so our Pikes Peak Vet staff has put together some ideas to help you think about how to make that choice.

Consider using a Quality of Life Assessment or other tracking. Lap of Love and Scout’s House both have these tools at the links here to help you visualize the progression of what’s going on. If multiple members of the family are involved in your pet’s daily life, ask all of them to record what they see so that everyone can be involved in the decision. You may not all agree on the timing, but it will help you face it together.

Use calendars and/or photographs. A calendar like the one found here is a way to record how they feel or what they are experiencing. By marking the good days and bad days, you can see a positive or negative progression. Look at photographs from a month ago, three months ago, a year ago, and compare them to one from today. We are far less able to notice day-to-day changes in our pets (or even ourselves) because we are going about the business of living and caretaking. Both of these tools can be so helpful!

Talk to your friends. It’s likely, as a pet owner, that you have friends who have been through this before. Hearing their stories can be comforting and can provide information about making decisions you would not otherwise have. Your community is likely to give you the support and understanding you need to realize that there are no wrong choices.

Talk to your vet. Your Pikes Peak Vet team is here for you when you get that puppy, kitten, or other furry/scaled critter. We see them grow and we grow to love them along with you. We want to be there for you throughout your pet’s life, not just during the easy times. Of course, we’ll do a physical exam and look at our records to see what’s been happening from a medical perspective. However, our staff is trained to talk you through your concerns and see things that aren’t easy or maybe even make suggestions that will give you and your pet more time as well as some ease and relief in the time you have left together.

In-Home Euthanasia Services. Again, we want to be there for you, but not everyone wants to come to the vet’s office for that final visit. There is a calm to be had when you can let your pet be in their familiar space surrounded by those that they love. Others can’t imagine saying goodbye in their homes because it leaves too much of an imprint. When it’s time, we want to make sure that you and your pet have the best care in the appropriate setting. Not all of these options will be able to accommodate more immediate timing, so just make sure to call ahead. If you feel that in-home euthanasia, is the best choice for you, you can call the following doctors: 

Lap of Love

Home with Dignity

White Whiskers

We like to think that your pet is not going away, but crossing the Rainbow Bridge to a peaceful and loving place to await you at a future date:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small ting: they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head; and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together…

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Watch for upcoming posts about the Pet Loss Is Different for Everyone, resources and thoughts about the grieving process, and Ways to Memorialize Your Pet whichwill help you understand the choices you need to make for your pet when it’s time to let them go.