When is the right time to say goodbye?

More than often, we are asked by pet owners when is the right time to say goodbye to a beloved pet? It is never an easy subject and is always hard to know what the right thing is to do.

Quality of life and being comfortable should be the top main priorities when it comes to elderly or sick pets. Most commonly a pet will not simply pass in their sleep peacefully like we would prefer. Unfortunately in most cases we are left with the extremely difficult decision to help them on their way.

Sometimes it helps to ask yourself the following questions:

• Does your pet seem happy or sad?

• Do they still get excited when you come home every day?

• Are they still eating?

• Are they interested in their favourite treats?

• Are they looking emaciated (have lost a lot of weight)?

• Are they too weak to be able to get up and move around, especially to go to the toilet?

• Do they have infected pressure sores from not being able to get up?

• Do you feel sorry for them?

If you have answered “yes” to many of these then, sadly, it might just be that time.

At the end of the day, your vet will advise what is best for your pet, and it is always IMPORTANT to get their opinion when it comes to end of life care for our beloved pets.

Knowing in your heart that it’s time to say goodbye and being ready to take that final step don’t always happen at the same time. There can be so much to consider, so many emotions to process, and practical things that need to fall into place before you feel able to make that final decision a reality.

But acknowledging that you know the time is approaching is a huge first step. It’s okay if you’re not ready to act on it just yet. Give yourself the time and space to process what you’re feeling.

Once you begin to accept that the time may be near, you can start working through the other pieces, one step at a time. You’ll find your way through the uncertainty, and when the moment comes to let go, you can do so knowing that your decision comes from a place of love.

You don’t have to be ready for everything all at once. Sometimes, accepting that goodbye is coming is the first step towards finding the strength to say it.