My elderly dog is suffering. How do I know it's time for euthanasia?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Female | spayed | 15 years and 5 months old | 10 lbs
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?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 1st, 2018
What a hard decision for you to make! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I do face this question all the time with my clients. You need to look at Holly's quality of life. I typically suggest making a list of five things a dog loved to do; when they no longer do at least two of them, then their quality of life has declined to point where euthanasia should be considered. Given that she is incontinent, blind, can't hear well, stands in a corner and stares, and is losing weight, I would say her quality of life has declined quite a bit and it may be time to let her go peacefully. I would have a discussion with your vet about this, and I'm sorry you are in this position. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on June 12th, 2019
I am so sorry you are dealing with this. When making the decision to euthanize what you have to ask yourself is "What is her quality of life?". If she is no longer "happy" and doing her normal things (like eating) then it is probably time; especially since she has a fatal disease (cancer). I hope this article will help you more: ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/the-decision-of-euthanizing-your-pet/ ) Again, so sorry for your situation. I hope this was somewhat helpful. Please feel free to post again if needed. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on April 10th, 2017
Oh no, poor Lucky! You did exactly the right thing by bringing her into the vet, but she sounds very ill at the moment. If she is suffering from cancer, it may have spread to her spine and lungs prevent her from being able to stand and cause her to be very out of breath. This may not be something you want to hear, but Lucky may have reached a point where her quality of life has declined to where euthanasia should be considered. I work for a home euthanasia company, so I face these kinds of issues with my clients at all times. Even though she is eating, it's not a good life for her if she can't move, and letting her go peacefully may be the best option. If you'd like to discuss this further with me, I'd be happy to consult with you. Just click the "consult online" button under my answer. Otherwise, I would seriously examine her quality of life at this point in time. I'm sorry you are going through this :-(
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on May 14th, 2018
It sounds like Josie is doing very well for her age!!! Her quality of life sounds great. As long as the mass is not bothering her and is not draining or seems infected then it's perfectly acceptable to let her live her life. It does not sound by your description that euthanasia is warranted. I would say keep doing what you are doing and if she starts acting off or not doing what she normally would like to do then it's time to see your vet.
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
When is it time to euthanize our dog? He is about 15 years old, completely deaf, possibly almost blind (maybe cataracts), and runs into things?
I have a 16 1/2 year old yorkie who is blind and deaf and is experiencing incontinence. The blindness came on suddenly and the vet said it possibly due to extremely high blood pressure and she might have had a stroke. She is currently on medication f
13 yr old female husky dog with hip dysplasia arthritis and an activity level of 0. Currently on about 200$ worth of medication monthly. Dad and I both agree it is time to make a decision however any time we discuss with my mom it's a brick wall. She
My cocker spaniel/chihuahua is around 21 years old, blind, deaf and runs into things. He sits and stares at the wall and can’t hear if I walk by. He does eat, but I have to put food directly up to his mouth. Should he be put down?
Is it time to talk to a Vet about puting my old dog down? My now 19yo dog has some health issues that come with old age. She's almost completely blind, deaf, has a heart murmur, her hind legs are very wobly, she falls on her bum a lot do to it, she d
My dogs back end is very weak and he is wetting himself hes eating and drinking fine. Hes a 16 year old patterdale terrier. I think he may have degenerative myelopathy so how will I know when it's time for him to be euthanized! He isnt showing any si
I have a 13 year old cocker spaniel. He has cataracts and is almost completely blind and deaf. He has awful allergies to the point of his hair falling out. All he does is lick, scratch, and sleep. We have to drag him outside to potty. He will potty 3
I have a 13 year old female Dachshund. In the last couple of years she has lost about 5 pounds. Over the last year we have had a lot of issues with bladder and bowel incontinence. I had her to our local vet in October they checked her out good and sa
How do you know it's time to euthanize
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
