This is the eternal question all pet parents have. I understand, because I have been and will be in your shoes with every single one of my beloved pets. You will never feel ready to say good-bye, and it will never be enough time together. The honest answer is – there is no one point in time that it is appropriate to decide that a pet should transition peacefully, nor are there a standard of universal parameters to dole out that fits every pet (i.e. pets that are still eating can still be struggling with quality of life). Many clients come to veterinarians hoping they have a crystal ball that can predict exactly when their pet will start to suffer, but we don’t have that. What veterinarians can help you with is calling upon our education and clinical experiences to advise you on what may lie ahead for your family and pet. Ask your regular veterinarian for advice and insight into your pet’s situation.

Veterinarians can be a trusted and impartial advisor most comfortably by observing your pet’s behavior at home, instead of when they are scared or excited in an exam room. Therefore, if you are still struggling with the decision, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of quality-of-life consultations. While I have offered these in the past, I have decided to devote my working time and energy in creating farewell experiences because I am a one doctor practice.

The first step is making sure you can quantify how you think your pet is doing in their day to life. I recommend that all family members score the pet using the following tools (you may be surprised at your family member’s answers):

If you would like experienced, convenient, and affordable professional quality of life advice from the comfort of your own home, I recommend that you consider a 30-minute quality of life teleadvice consult with a hospice veterinarian via Lap of Love. More information can be found here.

I would like you to know that if you choose Fond Farewell, the decision to euthanize will be between a minimum of 2 people – you and I. I will never perform a euthanasia if I didn’t think it was a kind and appropriate choice for you and your pet. This work is both an honor and a privilege that I do not take lightly.

One thing that most pet lovers wish for their pet is to pass peacefully in their sleep, taking the burden of watching them struggle or making a tough decision off of their shoulders. The fact is, this peaceful passing is rarer than you may think. Similar to humans, the majority of animals have a period of deterioration before they pass. As a veterinarian who has witnessed unassisted transitions in animals, I can say with confidence that a natural passing does not necessarily mean a peaceful and pain-free death. Many families that have committed to the idea of a natural passing for their pet at home will often end up rushing into a clinic because their pet has started to suffer during the process, having their last memory in the one place that they were trying to avoid.

The advantage of making the unnatural and painful decision to provide a humane euthanasia for your pet is that they will be pain free, fear free, and surrounded by the people that love them.

As daunting as it may sound to have your pet transition at home, it is one of the kindest gifts you can ever give them. I have experience providing peaceful passings for thousands of pets in a home environment and will come prepared for everything that will happen.

Sharing your final farewell with your pet at home has benefits for both you and your pet, including:

After all, home is where love lives.