Veterinary care
Ways to get care
Visit information
Pet wellness plans
Virtual petcare
Pet Chat™ information
Locations
MyBanfield
Puppy wellness plans
Kitten wellness plans
Dog wellness plans
Cat wellness plans
Inquire
Wellness plan FAQs
Pet health resources
Dental care
Diet and nutrition
Ear care
Parasites
Fleas
Ticks
Mites and mange
Worms
Skin and coat care
First aid
Vaccinations
End of life care
Bblog
Podcast - Not Just Fluff
Video Vault
About us
Contact us
Our leadership
Shop
Locations/appointments
when is it time to say goodbye?
Making the decision to say goodbye to a pet is never easy.
Here are some items to consider when facing difficult decisions regarding your dog or cat.
Discuss your wishes ahead of time
Our vets want to make your pet as comfortable and peaceful as possible. They also want to be sure to respect your wishes and desires during this difficult time. A discussion with your vet can help ensure your pet has the best care possible. While they can’t make the hard decisions for you, they can guide on assessing pain and comfort, what options you have, and what to expect. The goal is to help you feel like you have a plan of action and support.
Pet quality of life scales
Many pet owners find it hard to determine when it’s time to say goodbye. One tool, a quality of life scale, is a form of objective journaling. You record your observations to see if your pet’s symptoms are improving or declining. This can help you and your vet evaluate your pet’s condition and create a baseline for their health care needs.
For each of the following categories, record a rating for your pet. You can choose to do this daily or only on specific days of the week. Just make sure to rate your pet consistently so that you can compare the ratings week to week.
Keep a journal or print out our charting worksheet and bring it to your pet’s vet visits to discuss. Download the charting worksheet
Appetite
1 Not eating/drinking
2 Eating occasionally (treats) < 1 meal per 48 hours
3 Reduced appetite
4 Eating normally
Breathing
1 Extreme effort to breathe, discolored/blue gums, distress
2 Consistently labored or severe episodes
3 Increased rate or intermittent episodes of rapid breath/wheezing/coughing
4 Breathing consistent for pet’s normal behavior
Care Required
1 Constant care for cleanliness, feeding
2 Increased care
3 Senior petcare
4 No additional care the pet’s past year
Demeanor & Energy
1 Actively crying out in pain/minimally responsive/comatose
2 Quiet and desires minimal interaction
3 Quiet but enjoys interaction
4 Interacts, responds to voice, brightens with attention
Family
1 Overwhelmed by care of pet, every day is a struggle, affecting family relationships and daily life negatively
2 Stress present, times of extreme struggle, and starting to affect daily life
3 Minor changes to daily life, actively coping, no concerns on continuing at this level of care
4 Minimal changes, no daily stress or concerns
If you answered “1” for any of these categories, please seek emergency care for your pet immediately.
Other questions to ask your vet
When receiving difficult news about a pet with a terminal condition, it can be difficult to think on your feet. We put together a list of questions you might want to consider asking your vet.
- Is my pet in pain? Is there anything I can do to help with that?
- If we elect to try and treat my pet, will that be painful?
- What if I don’t want to pursue treatment?
- How can I make my home more comfortable for my pet?
- Are there specific signs I should look out for to know when it’s time?
- How can I prepare my other family members and/or pets?
- What are my options for cremation or after care?
- What do I do if there’s an emergency after hours?
Preparing to say goodbye to a pet
Here are a few things you can do when time with your pet is limited.
Enjoy time together
Create a bucket list
Share your french fries
Mentioned in this article
Worried about your pet? Ping Pet Chat™!
Whether it's 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., connect with a real veterinary professional for immediate petcare advice. It's included in all Optimum Wellness Plans®!
Log in to start chattingMake a plan for your pet
Knowing when to say goodbye to your pet can be difficult. It’s important to involve your veterinary team as they have insight into quality of life measurement, pain management, end of life options, and other resources.
While these life transitions are hard subjects to discuss, it’s important to speak to your veterinarian to discuss your thoughts, desires, and questions for this delicate time. Having a plan can make sure this moment in life is customized for you and your pet.
