When is it time to put your dog to sleep?

Question

If you could give me some reasons on why and when its time to put your dog to sleep please.

I have a dog that is probably 10 years old. Has lived outside in our backyard his whole life. He has skin problems (It is saggy and smelly). He was never fixed and he is seldom played with. His best dog friend passed away so he no longer has a best buddy (for a WHILE now) He cant jump up anymore no matter how hard he tries. My parents wont pay for him to get all fixed up or let him be an inside dog! Is it time?

I have two 13 year old mini poodles, they are practically blind. Run into things. Stink. Extremely bad teeth that are brown, missing and bad breath. They love each other so if i put one down i would HAVE to put them both down. But one of them has been my best friend for many many years! They uncontrollably pee and poop all over the house. Is it time?

Answer 1

You can clean up the older poodles and brush their teeth. YOU can spend time with the outside dog, take him for walks, and be his best friend. Putting them down is just the easy way, but NOT the responsible way to help them to be happy in their golden years.
The way to tell when its time, is when the dog is in so much pain that it won't eat and rarely wags his tail. If he lies around whining in pain, and gets no enjoyment out of anything..Take the poodles out more, so they won't go so much in the house.
You can say that they are ready to go, but it is only that their family is tired of them.
I wonder where your parents will be when they lose their teeth, pee their pants, and smell bad..Does that mean they will be ready to die, because the kids are tired of them?
Here is a good article about when its time to put a pet to sleep: http://www.superk9.com/article-doghealthcare29.asp

Your profile states that you LOVE animals! Do you love them as unconditionally as they love you?

Answer 2

This will be one of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make, trust me i know, I had a male Rottweiler that i rescued, when i got him he was skinny, no hair and had entropia really bad, anyways to cut a long story short i got him,cleaned up, vetted (eyes fixed) and back to weight, about 5 years after that his hips started to go, i made the decision then and there. I would keep him alive until he was in pain and unhappy. When the drugs weren't working for the pain i had him put to sleep. As it was done i held him in my arms and told him he was a good dog, he was a good dog and i wanted the last thing he hear was that he was a good dog. Basically what it comes down to is.... would you be happy living like that? As for you poodles perhaps getting them done together would be best for them, so the one left doesn't pine.
I don't wish your dilemma on anyone, but put the dogs 1st.
Good luck

Answer 3

You will know when.For one your dog will be in so much pain that it will give you a look that he himself is giving up.Or when the pain is so bad that he yelps and screams when you leave his or her side .When the vets opions sound crazy or hopeless and not morally right.If the vet tells you that your odds are like 50% of making it and your dog is already like 13 or 14 yrs old and will struggle than its time.A dog that is in a back yard its whole life doesnt have a life.Thats a terrible thing to do to a dog.That is suffering in itself by not being part of the family.

Answer 4

You need to look at the dogs quality of life. Make a list of 4 or 5 things the dog really enjoys. Top of the list should be eating and drinking. The others can include playing ball, going for a walk etc. As these things start to disappear, (you're dog can't do them anymore) then its time to say good bye.

If your dog has a medical condition look at the treatments, what are the possible outcomes? is the ailment treatable?

Answer 5

We just had our dog put to sleep by our vet. Our dog was 14yrs old and his breed usually only lives to be 8 or 9. His legs were giving out on him and he would fall and not get up. He was in pain even though we gave him medicine for his arthritis. We had the vet's opinion that it was time. The choice of course was ours. I was with him when he was injected with a heavy dose of the same thing they use to put them out for surgery. He went quickly to sleep. It was peaceful.

Answer 6

Only you and possibly with help from a veterinarian can decide that. Things to consider are is your dogs quality of life gone. Is he in constant or near constant pain. Is he able to enjoy the things he is used to. Also of course is there any reasonable chance for a cure. Or even if he is cured would he never be able to do the things he likes anymore.
Some people try to hang on to their pets because they love them so much but if the dog is suffering you are only hanging on for your self. It is a very hard decision.
One other thing, some people are afraid a dog will feel a lot of pain if they have this done. It is very quick and the dog just falls asleep with no pain at all.
EDIT...
Now that you have wrote additional details I tend to agree more with CHETCO. Disregard my answer and read his.

Answer 7

There is no set time to put your friend to sleep but when you know in your heart that he or she is suffering and there is no hope for your friend to recover and they have no quality of life left its time. Your friend is expecting you to do the right thing.
I believe their spirit remains with you so you never loose them only in life till another time. May you find the answer within. Show him or her mercy and Love.

Answer 8

PUT ME TO REST

Time to let me go my friend,
Because my life no-one can mend,
Its better to let me go this way,
Than watch me suffer night and day.

I'm happy to go, my time has come,
My quality of life is no longer fun,
Ive been so ill, so its not a bad thing,
To let me go forever resting.

Stay with me till I drift away,
Fast asleep forever I pray,
To relieve me from suffering and pain,
What more can I ask from my best friend.

Don't be sad, I'll be free from pain,
Never to be ill ever again,
I know you'll miss me being there,
But all the memories you have to share.

Thankyou for being my best friend,
And all my needs that you did tend,
Try not to be sad, try not to cry,
Now's the time to say GOODBYE

Answer 9

When the poor animal is suffering constantly, can not be cared for in ways to relieve that suffering. Or when they are close to the end of the life span, sick, dieing and the cost of an extra few months of the life would be thousands of dollars and they'd still be sick through it.

Or, when you go to bed is a good time to put them to sleep, that way, they're up and wake when you are :)

Answer 10

When your dog is suffering, it can't eat or keep its food
down, its losing control of its bladder and can't stand
or walk without pain. There's no rules for this, but if
you love your dog, you don't want it to suffer. You can
take your dog to the vet, wrap it in its favorite blanket
and hold it close to you while the vet gives it the
injection. Just thinking of this makes me sad, its one
of the hardest decisions you have to make and it really
hurts to say goodby, but there comes a time when
it has to be done. Your heart will tell you when.