One of the family
Pets can become just like family members. They help make days happier, make your tough moments more bearable, and make your life brighter and more colorful overall. The bond that develops over the years of spending time with a pet can improve both our mental and physical health. For all of these reasons, it can be one of the most heart-wrenching decisions we make at a time when our pet’s quality of life is being affected.
Turning the objective into the subjective
Pets in Stitches know firsthand how difficult the decision to adopt a pet can be and that’s why we wanted to write a special article to offer guidance. We’ve gathered some informative resources from experts like the OSU Veterinary Medical Center to help. There is even a questionnaire that provides information to better monitor your pet’s health. A challenging part of this process is turning your subjective unconditional love for your pet and desire to be with them forever into an objective assessment of their actual state of well-being.
When do you know it’s time?
Knowing when your pet’s quality of life has deteriorated is not easy. We all want to remember our pets in their glory days. This review of 25 questions from the OSU Veterinary Medical Center can help guide you. However, it is important to follow up by discussing these questions with your veterinarian. The survey includes thorough questions regarding mood, activities, and daily feeding. Some questions worth asking yourself include:
- Is my pet in severe pain?
- Have they stopped eating?
- Is their aggression a threat?
- Has my pet stopped acting as usual?
- Is their condition only going to get worse over time?
This particular exercise is recommended by the article to help you determine your pet’s quality of life: “Make a detailed list of the three to five activities your pet enjoys. Is no longer able to enjoy life, then it may be time to discuss euthanasia.”
An app to help
One app specifically tracks your pet’s good and bad days so you can recognize when the bad days are outnumbering the good days. It is called a gray muzzle. You can tell when it’s time to see your veterinarian by checking the calendar.
How to grieve
There isn’t a proper or incorrect way to grieve. There is no timeline. The most important thing is to let yourself feel the emotions and not push them away. This article from the American Veterinary Medical Association outlines what you should do to cope with the loss of a pet and things to remember as you process your grief. Finding a way to honor your pet can be very cathartic. The article offers the following helpful advice: “Take some time to look through past photos, write a tribute to your pet, or write your pet a letter remembering the time you spent with them.” Some other recommendations include:
- Talk to other pet owners who have lost a beloved family member.
- Give yourself plenty of time to adjust.
- Allow yourself to feel your emotions.
Where to go
Many veterinarians offer euthanization services. The differentiating factor is finding someone who is sympathetic in their understanding of the risk of calling when the time comes. At Pets in Stitches, we all have multiple pets and can sympathize with your bereavement. We are here to answer all your questions and help you determine the best path forward.