putting dog

What does putting a dog down mean

The Pet Bereavement Support Service is a telephone helpline and email service that offers such support to bereaved pet owners, through a national network of trained volunteer befrienders.

Telephone: 0800 096 6606 (seven days a week 8.30am-8.30pm)
Email: [email protected]

Time to say goodbye dog

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Putting your dog to sleep is heartbreaking, and losing this member of the family is bound to leave you with a sense of loss. Grieving is completely normal – you’ve just said goodbye to a much loved friend and everyone in the family will have their own way of handling saying goodbye.

You might choose to take some time off work, especially if you have children who are having a hard time adapting - supporting one another as a family can help the healing process. If you find yourself dwelling on putting your dog to sleep, remember that it was the best decision for them. You helped to relieve their suffering and free them from a poor quality of life. What’s more, you allowed them to pass away painlessly and with dignity. You made a difficult but responsible and selfless decision and showed your dog the ultimate kindness in their time of need.

If you have other pets in the family, you may notice their behaviour change – they may search for their friend or whimper, while previously submissive dogs might become a little more dominant. No one knows if dogs are capable of experiencing grief in the same way that humans do, but they may well feel a sense of loss and pick up on emotions from the rest of the family, so give them plenty of love and reassurance.

In the days and weeks that follow on from the loss of your dog, try to focus on the good times - all those wonderful walks, the games you played and the happiness you gave each other. However overwhelming your grief, you can look back on an amazing friendship and remember your dog with pride.

For more help and advice on coping with dog euthanasia, see our article on saying goodbye.

 

Should I get another dog?

Getting another dog following the passing of another is a personal decision that shouldn’t be rushed. Some people can’t bear the silence of an empty home, while others need longer to come to terms with their loss.

There is no right or wrong answer, but do make sure that you don’t get a new dog while your emotions are still raw - they need to be welcomed into a forward-looking, loving home. They will not replace the dog you lost but will be just as unique and special to you in their own way. You can then look forward to a future of new memories with your new loyal friend.

What happens when a dog is put down?

The euthanasia medication most vets use is pentobarbital, a seizure medication. In large doses, it quickly renders the pet unconscious. It shuts down their heart and brain functions usually within one or two minutes. It is usually given by an IV injection in one of their legs.

Do dogs feel anything when they get put down?

Since the pet is not conscious, they do not feel anything. Most times, the animal passes away so smoothly, that it is difficult to tell until the veterinarian listens for absence of a heartbeat. The eyes remain open in most cases.

Is it cruel to put a dog to sleep?

There's no right or wrong answer. It's a personal matter for each pet owner. The goal is to keep your friend with you for as long as they are comfortable, but let them go if they are in pain.

Is it better to put your dog down?

A veterinarian may recommend euthanasia, which is a humane death, when other options to reduce pain and distress are no longer helpful. Euthanasia may be recommended when you least expect it, such as if your pet is diagnosed with a terminal illness or if they've been in a debilitating accident.

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