Channel Button

There are 14 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #14 by Helium's members.

Pets & Animals   >

Dog Care & Health

Get a Widget for this title

How to know when it is time to put a dog to sleep

When welcoming a dog into the family, the last thought on everyone's mind is its termination. Although all death is inevitable, having to actually induce this is heart breaking torture. There will never be a clear sign that falls from the sky indicating that it is time for you to end your pets life, but when you see your beloved pet suffering day after day you know you can't let them go on living in such disgrace.


While most pets often become a part of the family, there is remarkable difference in healthcare of our furry animals than from humans. Pets do not usually have the same sort of healthcare available, and when it is it comes at rediculously high prices. When a dog becomes sick, quite often to treat or obtain surgery is at sky high costs and the owner is torn between finance and their pet. It is just not realistic to spend your life savings on a dogs surgery when the end results are unpromised. When your dog is diagnosed with a potentially fatal illness, you do what you can. To go to vetrinary extremes is not going to benefit anyone and could bankrupt you, and you will still watch you dog suffer.
From my own experience the best way to handle a ill dog is to just make them as comfortable as possible. Maybe give them extra treats and an extra comfy bed. When the time comes that your dog is unable to walk or is obviously in severe pain at all hours, it is time to put him out of his misery.
Sometimes a dog becomes too violent and that is also an indiction of the necessity to end his life. It is normal for dogs, especially puppies, to sometimes be nippy, but when a dog viciously attacks someone it is not a good dog and shouldn't be around people. They are not trustworthy and you will never be sure who or when it will hurt. It is horrible to put a dog to sleep but I feel it is more horrific when a dog attacks a young child, so I do feel it is justified to put a mean dog to sleep. A dog should never bite someone and if it ever draws blood on a person it should most definetly be terminated.
Ending your pets life is a horrible and gut wrenching feeling. Deep down we all realize that it is truly for the best as they will no longer suffer or hurt anyone. In these tough situations, you really must follow your gut instinct as to what is the best decision. It is most certainly not an easy decision to make, but it is an important one. Weigh out your options and follow your heart. No one and nothing can tell you what is exactly right to do in these cases so it is completly up to your own judgement to decide what is truely best.

Learn more about this author, Liz Lagerstedt.
Contact this writer Click here to send this author comments or questions.


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

How to know when it is time to put a dog to sleep

  • 1 of 14

    by Danielle Friedl

    You've raised your dog from fumbling, adorable puppy to loyal, loving companion. From the small ball of fluff that you painstakingly

    read more

  • 2 of 14

    by Erin Knight

    Owning a dog carries certain responsibilities. Food, shelter, medical care and love need to be provided. As a loving owner

    read more

  • 3 of 14

    by Josh Mullen

    A dog in the home is more than a pet. He/she is a confidant, a companion, and a member of the family. "When should a dog

    read more

  • 4 of 14

    by Pat Gray

    Making the decision to euthanize (or more euphemistically "put to sleep") a beloved dog is probably the most difficult and

    read more

  • 5 of 14

    by Rena Sherwood

    Putting your dog to sleep is one of the most traumatic decisions you'll ever have to make. It's easier pulling the plug on

    read more

View All Articles on:
How to know when it is time to put a dog to sleep

Add your voice

Know something about How to know when it is time to put a dog to sleep?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Is docking a dog's tail cruel?

Click for your side.

170397

Featured Partner

House Rabbit Society

House Rabbit Society is a volunteer-based international non-profit organization with two primary goals: 1) To r...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA