How to Survive Pet Euthanasia

When you first hold that precious furball of a kitten or puppy in your arms, you look forward to the happy, playful years ahead. But those years pass quickly, and at some point pet owners realize it's in Sweetie Pie's best interest to have her "put down."

Over the years I've had to make the decision more than once to euthanize a pet -- several cats, my cocker spaniel and even a goat. Earlier this week I was forced to make the decision once again, as I witnessed the rapid decline of my twelve-year-old cat.

Here are some tips I've picked up over the years in dealing with the planning, the euthanasia itself, and getting through the grief that follows.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a veterinarian you know and trust

1. Find and keep a vet you like and trust when your pet is young. We humans like a family doctor who treats us as a person and not as a number. As pet owners we like the same relationship with our pet's health-care provider. So when the time comes to discuss Fluffy's demise, it helps tremendously to deal with a veterinarian who has taken good care of Fluffy since the Fluff Meister first entered your home.

2. Decide in advance how much money and time you are willing to invest in a critically ill pet. No one likes discussing money in the same breath as their beloved pet. But the cost of pet care is a very real issue for most pet owners. Be realistic. Is that $1600 surgery really worth it for your eighteen-year-old cat? If you put in twelve-hour days at the office, how can you be at home to dress your pet's wounds or give it its meds?
   
   Making monetary and availability decisions before your pet becomes ill will help you to keep a balanced perspective; you don't want to make hasty, ill-advised decisions when the time arises.

3. If you're struggling with the decision whether or not to euthanize, discuss it with your vet. Sometimes it helps if you don't have to share the entire burden of deciding your pet's demise.

4. If possible, take your pet to be euthanized as soon as possible after making the decision. Nothing is worse than staring at a clock and thinking, "Oh no, in six hours he'll be gone." Also, decide whether you wish to be with your pet as it is euthanized.

5. Decide in advance your plans for your pet's body. In my case I have enough acreage to allow for a pet cemetery in a grassy area near our woods. You may decide on cremation. I have even seen art work done by artists who turn your pet's ashes into a painting. If money is no object, pet cemeteries with granite headstones are an option.

6. 
   Modeling for eHow

   As with any loss, it helps to talk about your pet with your friends and family after it is gone. So I'll follow my own advice and tell you a bit about my kitty, Doofus Doodlebug. She was a cross-eyed, scrawny little thing who had a "batting" average of two-for-two. A bat flying around in the house? Doofie was our "go-to" cat.
   
   She'll be missed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are not the animal's sole owner, make sure everyone is on the same page when the decision-making time arrives.
• Pets, like people, can be seriously injured in accidents or be quite young when a sudden illness develops. Do as much pre-planning as you can when you first get your pet.
• Do NOT try to save money by attempting to euthanize your pet at home. The word euthanasia come from the Greek for "good death." There is nothing "good" about inflicting unnecessary pain in an animal's final moments.

Resources

• Surviving the Heartbreak of Choosing Death for your Pet

[Susang6]

on 11/30/2009 I have four dogs that I rescued at the same time several years ago. They are all old now and have many health problems. They are all on their last paw. A painful decision needs to be made soon. It is never easy to say goodbye to a beloved friend. Your article made me stop and think. Thank you.

[ourlastchance]

on 11/2/2009 I had a friend go though this, it can be very difficult. Thanks for the great article. 5*

[billips]

on 10/25/2009 Even if it is the kindest option, euthanazing a pet is a hard burden to bear - we have been through it and I agree with all your advice - we have many pictures and a footprint to remind us of Beau and his ashes lie at the base of several trees that seem to be growing stronger and taller than those around them but tears still spring to my eyes with his memory - I expect the same happens to you with the memory of dear little Doofus Doodlebug - 5* - B.

[CASKY]

on 10/24/2009 thanks, it was a bad week, we made the dec. it was hard. 5 stars

[sanderdoe]

on 10/23/2009 It's a sad time in anyone's life to have to survive pet euthanasia - I like to think it's better for the pet when they are in pain and suffering which is most often the case. 5* & R