Discover Techniques to Be Better Prepared for Your Pet’s End-of-Life
Losing a pet is always difficult, but there are things you can do to make it easier to cope with. Below are four ways to prepare for and cope with the eventual loss of your pet.
#1: Assess your pet’s quality of life
It can be difficult to know if your pet is unwell, but signs of poor physical and mental health may indicate a problem. To assess your pet’s wellbeing as they age or deal with a chronic illness, you can use a quality of life scale. This tool helps you objectively evaluate your pet’s health and happiness, and determine whether they may be experiencing any distress.
#2: Decide when to schedule your pet’s euthanasia
Losing a pet suddenly can bring relief from the tough decision of choosing euthanasia. However, it might also make you wonder if you missed any signs of illness. On the other hand, it’s always hard to know when it’s time to let go and schedule euthanasia. But it’s important to remember that most pets do not pass away peacefully in their sleep, and choosing humane euthanasia is the ultimate act of love for a pet who is suffering.
#3: Discuss how to care for your pet’s body
If your pet passes away, you may feel overwhelmed about what to do next. However, if you anticipate the situation, it’s helpful to plan ahead by discussing your preferences for your pet’s after-care. Cremation is a common and available option, and you can elect to receive your pet’s ashes. While aquamation is becoming more popular, it’s not widely available yet.
#4: Rely on grief support groups to process your pet’s death
When you are grieving the loss of your pet, it can be helpful to seek support from pet loss support hotlines offered by veterinary universities or pet bereavement groups on social media. In addition to relying on family and friends, these resources can offer comfort and help you through your journey of grief. Remember that you don’t have to go through this alone.
If you notice that your pet’s health or happiness is deteriorating, reach out to our team for assistance in evaluating your pet’s quality of life and preparing for their eventual death.