Is putting a dog to sleep a bad thing?

Question

My dog is 14 years old, I've grown up with him, and I feel like my heart is breaking..I know it has to be done but I just feel so incredibly awful about having to do it, even if it is the right thing. He can barely walk, can't get up without help, has accidents constantly, and his eyes are just so sad. He falls when we get him up to go out, which I'm sure hurts him...So I know I have to do this. I called a vet nearby that comes to your house to do it, which is what I want...I want him to be in his home, we're waiting to see when she's coming. I guess my question is, am I a horrible person for doing this? I don't want him to feel like I'm just tired of dealing with him...I know he's a dog, and doesn't think like that, but I can't help feeling that way. And what's it like when they do it? What exactly do they do..Just give him the shot? Does it hurt at all?

Answer 1

If your dog is in pain and no longer has a good quality of life, you would not be a horrible person. Dogs are very loyal and hesitant to let you know how bad they feel. Your dog will appreciate being in your home instead of the vet's office. He'll be more relaxed. It's just a simple shot and he goes to sleep without any pain. It will be comforting for him that you are there with him. You are not a bad person, otherwise you would not be agonizing over this so much.

Answer 2

NO, your not a horrible person for wanting to put your dog to sleep. I know how it feels to lose an animal that is very close to your heart very suddenly. It hits you without notice and it is the worst feeling in the world. I have an 20 yr old horse named Eli. He has a condition called COPD. It some kind of respiratory thing. When the weather gets really warm, like the last few wekks, he starts to breathe really hard and his stomach heaves up and down so he can get enough air. I have been questioning if we should put him down. Will it hurt? Will he get better? I don't know the answers to these question, I'm not a genius, but I know that I rather put Eli in a happier place that to suffer and then he sufficate to death. I think that if the time is right that you put your dog to sleep. THe vets tell us it doesn't hurt, that it just feels liek a regular shot. When its alll over I think you will feel better that you got him out of the pain and suffering.

Answer 3

Here is the thing, I went thru this myself after having Cody for 10 yrs. Bottom line is that your dog is actually suffering and has no quality of life. I felt the exact same way that you do and it was so hard. Your dog has given you 14 great years I am sure, or you wouldnt be feeling this way. He deserves to be comfortable and pain free, and it has come time for that. They will come out and counsel you and then you will lay your dog down on this lil pallet and then he will simply get a shot. Writing this brings tears to my eyes, yet I feel a sense of relief for Cody as well. It is a short and painless process. He will drift off the sleep. They will check for a heartbeat and then prounance him gone. We had the vet shave a patch of Cody's hair that I keep in a scrapbook with pics of him from the time he was a puppy until a few months before he went. It is not easy, but you are doing the right thing. Good Luck to you.

Answer 4

If your dog is obviously suffering, having them put down is the most humane thing to do. It is always a very difficult decision, but you really have to listen to your heart. They do give the dog a shot, and for the dog, it is just as though he is falling asleep. It is not painful.

You are not a horrible person for wanting what is best for your dog. And the dog will not understand what is going on, so he will not think "ill" of you for it. He will just think he is going to sleep. Also, talk with a vet (or two) about it - tell them everything that is wrong and ask their opinion. Most vets will be able to tell you whether or not the dog is truly suffering.

I know that this is a difficult time, so my thoughts and prayers are with you. Like I said, listen to your heart, and know that whatever your decision, you are doing what is best.

Answer 5

It's hard, but it is painless to the dog. Have you ever been put to sleep at a hospital? If you have, you just went to sleep, no pain. Some vets will give a sedative first. Some just very slowly give a sleeping medicine in a shot. The dog falls asleep and the medicine keeps being injected. It is actually an overdose of sleeping medicine. After they are asleep, slowly the heart stops beating. I wish none of us ever had to go through this!

I'm glad that the vet is coming to your house. I think that that is much nicer for the dog to be in his surroundings with the people he loves.

Answer 6

I completely understand your feelings of is it the right thing?am I a bad 'mommy'?What could I do?.I had to put my precious rottweiler down when I was 17 and I am still mourning his loss.I'm not sure if it was because it was so sudden or just the quilt that I feel about having to have it done.Your not a horrible person and doing the right thing by ending his misery.The dogs feel no pain as they are given an overdose of an anesthesia.I also think its wonderful to have a vet in your area to do this in your home.It will have relieve some if not most of the anxiety of your beloved pet since he will not be going for a car ride or in the vet's office.I my thoughts and prayers are with you and remember time heals all wounds.

Answer 7

Hon, I can honestly tell you that I know what you are going through. I work in the animal care field and have for 16 years. I have personally assisted in euthanasias as well as having to put down my own pet. The injection basically is an overdose of a sedative that stops the heart instantly. The animal feels absolutly no pain. You are not a horrible person. Your dog has had a superb life with you. When he looks at you now he is looking at you to help ease his suffering. As humans we become conflicted with this decision because we second guess and question ourselves as to whether what we are doing is morally correct. I'll tell you what I know. When a pet has no quality of life and is suffering it is cruel and down right unfair to keep them alive for the benefit of our emotions. Yes, it hurts like heck. As his owner your pet has given his whole life to you- as your guardian & protector as well as a companion. This is the one last thing that you can do for him. As far as doing it at home I think that is great this way the dog is not overly stressed with a travel to the vet. Even in these situations our pets pick up on our emotions and being upset will only increase your pet's stress. Hold him and tell him how much you love him and stroke his head as the vet gives him his release to a place where he'll be happy and healthy again. That is another part of this. Everybody believes different things as far as what happens after death but I DO believe pets do go to heaven and are healthy again and happy. There is a poem that someone wrote about this- Rainbow bridge. Try to read it. There also is support groups for people greiving their lost pets- access them through your local paper or the internet. Please do not be hard on yourself. Wishing you the best at this time.

Answer 8

This is one of the toughest decisons you are ever going to have to make.Speaking from a professional point of view and assisting in euthanaisa's(putting to sleep) I believe it is humane and the only discomfort your pet will feel is the pinprick of the needle,Vets use a special anesthetic for this type of procedure and once your dog is asleep they will overdose him with this anesthetic.Do not be shocked if his eyes do not close or if there is some urination and defecation(not always)they are exactly like us in this way. Speaking now in a pet owners voice, I recently had to make the decision for my own beloved friend of 12 years(had cancer),my heart was broken(and still is upset but not as bad-fond memories)but I know I gave him dignity and respect and love in the end and was not selfish in trying to keep him with me longer.It was horribly hard for me and I did some things that helped, I have a ceramic pawprint from him as well as I had him specially cremated for Ashes to be buried up North.I also got a garden stone with his information and a poem on it to place over his ashes. I know not everyone does these things but realize they are options open to you and may help the healing process.Ii also joined an on-line grief support group for awhile and they really helped.Do not let anyone tell you that you should not grieve or its odd, there are stages to grieving and a pet is apart of the family. I know you are doing the right thing for your friend and will think of you to give you strength.

Answer 9

I have 2 Golden retrievers. Love 'em dearly. The oldest is 12 and it looks as though in a few years his back legs will give out. As much as you hate to when it gets to that stage and the stage your dog is in now it is the only humane thing to do.
They don't understand why they can't move anymore and frankly if it were in the wilds he'd be doomed anyway.
You can't constantly spend time picking him up and taking him outside plus they have a tendency to become irritable and may snap if really annoyed.
Take him to your local vet. They are given a shot that's pretty much the same chemical used in executions. The dog literally just closes his eyes and dies peacefully. The heartbreaker is that you can hold your dog close as he slips away. That's the miserable part. But you're doing the right thing. Your alternatives are limited but it's for the best.

My heart goes out to you and good luck. It'll be tough but you'll do fine.

Answer 10

I've been through this several times now and each time I've felt just like you described. In fact, I got tears in my eyes reading your question. I think that you are doing the right thing. When I look back, I feel like I didn't wait long enough. I let the animal suffer for too long because I couldn't stand the thought of doing it. In a way, in that case, not doing it was selfish.

If you want further reassurance that you're doing the right thing, ask the vet what she thinks.

Hang in there. I know that it really hurts.