The right moment is different for everyone, but together we try to assess what quality of life remains for the animal. Ultimately, only the owners themselves can determine the right time for them to make the decision.

To assess the quality of life, it can be helpful to ask yourself (and each other) a number of questions. Do not look at an isolated day, but at the whole picture.

• Does my pet still have moments of pleasure during the day?
• Does he/she still eat and drink of his/her own free will, or mainly because you offer it? And is this sufficient to maintain his/her weight?
• Is there pain, shortness of breath, nausea, restlessness, or anxiety that recurs?
• Can your animal still lie down, stand up, and move comfortably, without visible discomfort?
• Is there still contact: does he/she seek you out, does he/she respond to your voice or touch?
• Are the bad days now more frequent than the good ones?
• Do you still recognize your animal as itself — or do you mainly see it surviving?

It is important to look at the quality of life without letting yourself suffer from the thought that you do not want to lose your animal. After all, there will never be a day when you do want to lose him. Naturally, you do not want to make this decision too soon, but actually, it is mainly about not making this decision too late. To be able to assess this, it is good to take your time and look at your animal's quality of life over the past month. Pay close attention to any discomforts that may have occurred, how often they happened, and how long they lasted. Sometimes it helps to keep a mini-diary for 1–2 weeks: green days (good), orange (doubt), and red (bad). If red and orange start to predominate, that is often an important signal. If you look back at this month and come to the conclusion that it has been difficult, then the question is whether you want to enter another month like this.

 

It can be helpful to make concrete agreements with the family about where your limit lies the moment you notice your animal deteriorating. For example, if your dog can no longer manage his usual walk around the house, or if he no longer comes out of his bed to greet you in the morning. Thinking about this in advance prevents you from constantly pushing the boundaries further, which can help you ultimately make the decision.

 

I regularly hear owners say that they secretly hope to come downstairs one morning and find the animal lying dead in its basket. I understand very well why an owner says this; it is very difficult and final to make the decision to euthanize your beloved animal. But besides the fact that this remark indicates how much the owner loves their animal, it also shows that they see things getting worse and unconsciously realize that it would be good if the animal passed away. They just do not want to be responsible for the decision themselves because they feel guilty and therefore hope for an easier solution. Do not forget that the decision not to let your animal suffer is also made out of love and is part of being a good owner.

 

“But he still has good moments too…” I hear that often, and I understand it. But a decision to euthanize is not made based on what an animal is still capable of, but on the number of bad moments and whether that is still sustainable.

You don't have to decide this alone.
I take the time to look at the whole picture together. Without haste, without pressure. We discuss what you see, what you feel, and what is medically realistic. Sometimes that provides the confidence to carry on a little longer, and sometimes it brings peace to choose a dignified end with love.