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- Changes in Appetite. A sudden change in your dog's appetite, whether they're eating too little, too much, or not eating at all can be a sign something is not right.
- Changes in Drinking Habits. It's not uncommon to spot changes in your dog's drinking habits. Simple factors, like a warmer climate or increased physical activity, can make them thirstier.
- Changes in Behavior. Dogs can display distress or discomfort through notable behavioral shifts. Physical discomfort from undetected injuries or conditions like arthritis might make them more irritable or withdrawn.
- Hair Loss and Itchy Skin. When your dog constantly scratches, licks, or even starts to lose hair in patches, it's a clear sign something's bothering their skin.
- Overview
- Major Symptoms of Terminal Illness
- Signs of Normal Old Age
- Making a Decision on Euthanasia
Know when it’s time to euthanize your dog and give them the dignified departure they deserve
How do you tell the difference between normal old age, temporary illness, and the final days of a dog’s life? We're here to help and will explain the signs of each. And, we'll walk you through measuring your dog’s quality of life against how much time they have left to gain key insight into whether euthanasia is a potential option. There are no easy solutions here, but you can still make an informed decision based on what seems right for you and your pup. In this article, we’ll break down what to look out for when it comes to end-of-life care so that you can choose what’s best for you and your dog.
Signs a dog is actively dying include labored breathing, an inability to control their bowels or bladder, a refusal to eat, and a lack of reaction to stimuli.
Slow movements, a change in appetite, increased sleep, and a decrease in social behavior could be signs that your dog is just aging normally (and not dying).
If your dog is very sick, you’ll probably notice your dog's breathing becoming shallow, with very long intervals in between breaths. The normal resting breathing rate of 22 breaths/minute may drop to only 10 breaths/minute.
The dog's heart rate will drop from the normal 100 to 130 beats per minute to as low as 60 to 80 beats per minute, with a very weak pulse.
In the 3 weeks leading up to the end, your dog’s breathing will become increasingly more labored.
It might be time if:
your dog is breathing shallowly when they rest and they’re refusing to move. Your dog begins to hide and pant in dark corners of your home.
If your dog is nearing the end, they’ll show a very clear loss of appetite. There may be virtually no interest in eating or drinking water. Organs like the liver and kidneys may slowly shut down, which makes your dog lose digestive functions.
A general loss of energy
Is your dog getting a little slow but still able to eat, drink, walk, stand, and respond to your calls, they’re just getting old. Your dog may not suffering any particular pain, so consult a vet before presuming it’s time for euthanasia.
You can tell a dog may only have 1-2 days left if they are unusually still and completely disinterested in everything.
So long as your dog can still do things they enjoy and they get excited about things, they may still have plenty of years ahead of them.
Your dog may be nearing the end of their life if:
your dog is so tired they no longer greet you at the door. Your bond with your dog is a big factor when it comes to making the big decision. If it feels like your dog doesn’t have anything in them to give to you, it means it’s probably time to say goodbye.
Keep your dog comfortable in the days leading up to goodbye.
If you’ve decided your dog’s quality of life is no longer high enough to justify keeping them alive, that’s okay. Make sure that your pup
has a comfortable end of life
so that they can die happily with some dignity. Continue to care for them, but take it the extra mile if you can.
Feed your pup their favorite food, even if it isn’t the healthiest option.
Provide pain medication to make them more comfortable per your vet’s discretion.
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