Question
How do I know when it's time to say goodbye?
Sunny, owner notes“I wish my dog lived as long as I do.”Updated
I'm an owner, not a vet. This is not veterinary advice, so check anything medical with your own vet.
Short answer
This is one of the hardest questions you'll face, and no single reading or age can answer it for you. Ask your vet whether your dog is suffering, what can still be eased and what the next days might look like. You know your dog best, so tell them what you see. You can have this talk before there's a crisis, and talking about it doesn't mean you've decided anything.
What to know at home
Watch the ordinary parts of his day: resting comfortably, eating willingly, getting to his favourite spot and responding to people. A good moment matters, but look at how most of the day goes too. No checklist can make this decision for you.
What to write down
- Comfort and distress across the day
- What treatment is helping or no longer helping
- What you fear might happen next
What to ask next
Ask about comfort care, euthanasia, and which signs mean you need help straight away. Ask about support for afterwards, too. You shouldn't have to deal with the planning and the grief on your own.
Sources
- What does palliative or comfort care look like for a diabetic dog?What comfort care looks like
- Can a diabetic dog still have a good quality of life?Whether he can still have a good life
- What if I can no longer manage my dog's care?When you can no longer manage his care
- My diabetic dog died. Did I do something wrong?Coping after he has died
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
Is it worth treating diabetes, especially in an older dog?
It's natural to wonder whether treatment is fair on an older dog, but age on its own doesn't decide it.
Q&A
Can a diabetic dog still have a good quality of life?
Yes, most diabetic dogs can still enjoy life, and you'll judge that best by watching your own dog.
Q&A
What does palliative or comfort care look like for a diabetic dog?
When your dog is near the end, comfort care should still be planned with your vet.
Urgent help
Emergency or low blood sugar
Call a vet now if your dog is weak, collapsed or having a seizure.