When is it more humane to put a dog down?
@Nrealitydenial (46)
United States
January 28, 2007 12:26pm CST
I have an old dog that I care about very much, but she's in bad health and it seems like she's suffering more than really living. She's deaf now and has just become old. I don't want to just "get rid of her" from old age. When I become old, I would not want to be shuffled off somewhere. I want to be kind to my dog but when is it the right time to let the dog go and set her free from suffering?
2 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
28 Jan 07
This is not an easy assessment to make, particularly when you are personally involved by it being your own pet. Obviously a seriously suffering animal should be put down, but the nearer that you get to this standard then the more indistinct the dividing line becomes. It is very common to be torn between the choice of ending suffering and the desire to care for your pet. Except for the case of extreme suffering where no doubt would exist, then I would suggest taking professional advice from a vet or an appropriate organisation.
@Nrealitydenial (46)
• United States
28 Jan 07
The personal involvement really does make this decision harder to make but I do need to talk to my vet. You are right about that. And I need to put my personal feelings aside for what is best for my pet.
@elusivedarkness (531)
• United States
28 Jan 07
This is a really tough situation to be in. I had to deal with it with my old dog. She lived to be 15 years old, but she started to get really sick and she was suffering like crazy. The vet recommend to us that we should put her to sleep. It's a really hard thing to do, but sometimes it's for the best. I would talk to your vet and ask them what they think. Ultimately, you have to ask yourself what's the best thing for your dog.
@Nrealitydenial (46)
• United States
28 Jan 07
Thank you for your comments. She's a family dog and I'm not the only one to make the decision but I need to help make it and it's still very hard to decide. She's about 15 years old too. I've been her main caretaker during all this time and she follows me around the house all the time like I'm her mother so it's hardest on me to see her suffer. But whenever she does die I will miss her very much. It may be kinder though I think for her to be put to sleep and stop suffering any more than she has already. It's just hard to let go of a pet who has been a part of the family and my life for so long.
