My old dog has arthritis. How do I know if it's time to say goodbye?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Jindo | Male | neutered | 16 years and 2 months old | 145 lbs
Hello I know it's a hard decision to make but I guess I'm not sure if it's time. I have a 16 year old Jindo he still eats but lays down due to his arthritis will do short walks but session starting to drag onw of his back leg a little. He has also started to fall down sometimes due to his back end. Has medicine for arthritis pain but I don't think it's helping. He sleeps most all of the time. He still loves his food and treats. But I keep thinking it's time I don't want him to suffer. Thoughts?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 20th, 2017
I'm sorry you are facing this with Rocky! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face this type of question with my clients all the time. I recommend making a list of five things Rocky loved to do. If he's no longer doing at least two of them, then his quality of life has diminished to a point where euthanasia should be considered. His quality of life needs to be taken into consideration when making this decision, and if you feel he has a poor quality of life, then certainly letting him go peacefully would be a kindness. Make this list and really think about what his life is like now and if you feel he's happy and not in pain. If you think he's in pain and unhappy, then letting him go would be a great gift to him. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on September 4th, 2017
Euthanasia is a very personal decision, so unless you are completely ready and entirely convinced it is time, I doubt a second opinion is going to sway you in one direction or another. You know your dog better than any veterinarian, so simply use your own experiences with him to determine whether or not you feel his quality of life still exists. If so, he probably still has some good days left. Other treatment modalities are also available for the treatment of OA, including laser therapy, accupuncture, adequan therapy, and water exercise. Hope this makes sense.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
I'm not sure if my dog's life is worth living. He sometimes pees to bed when he is sleeping. He has always had problems with his mouth (I mean "good kind of tumors", bad teeth and he has some kind of genetic disease in his gums. We have been treatin
15 1/2 year old Jack Russell is losing weight, blind and can't hear well... she stands in a corner and just stares. also , now incontinent is it time to put her to sleep?
I am going through a very hard time at the moment with my senior German shepherd, Ben. He struggles with arthritis and hip dysplasia and has slowed down a lot recently. I know it might be coming to the time where I have to make a difficult decision f
Our dog has been diagnosed w/Addison's. He is 13+years old. He has a huge cyst on is head that drains all the time. He has a fatty tumor on his side. Drinks large amounts of water daily. His back legs fail him quite often. He is deaf & has cateracts.
My vet recommended putting my dog down due to osteoarthritis. He is 13, peek, no other problems; however he does bite. So far I refused so we are treating him win petprofen, gabapentin and a pain medication. Should I get another opinion. He eats well
My dog has cancer and is experiencing some pain. Would like advice on his pain and if anything could help him also on how I will know if he needs to be put to sleep. I don't want him to suffer but I don't want him to be put down too soon. He has iss
Hello, My dog is a 16 y/o male American Eskimo. He was diagnosed with milignant tumors throughout the integumentary system approx. 4 months ago. Within the last 2 days, he has lost his appetite, not had a bowel movement in 24hrs, and he has been unab
I have a 15 year old dog he has dementia,arthritis ,and displacia in one hip .he could walk on his hind lrgs up until 2 weeks ago.he can stand for a momoent on his hips but then needs help i have a hip harness to help him walk he seems to need or wan
My 11yr old husky has a huge sarcoma cyst on her right hip. It could rupture within the next month or so. She has severe arthritis in her hind legs to the point she struggles to weight bear on the left one. Her right foot has the toes splayed to supp
My 12 yr old Shepherd has anal gland cancer and bad arthritis. She is able to walk and get around but it is difficult for her and she falls sometimes. My concern is that her appetite is gone. She eats a piece of lunch meat in the morn and a carrot an
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
