would you put your dog down if...?

Question

he was old.
we are just talking about a really old dog. maybe out of breath and hard to get arund....but nothing too bad.

I am asking for an essay on diff responses, please people this is not what I think.

Answer 1

For me, it would really depend on the quality of life for the dog in question here. How hard is it to get around? Is it an awful task just rising to his feet? Then yes, I might consider it.

I actually will likely be in this very position in the next year or two, as I have a fairly old girl hanging on these days. Eventually, I will have to decide between what is okay and what is too much. I don't look forward to having to make that call either way.

Answer 2

This question is complex, there is no simple answer.

Animals don't just wake up one day old and debilitated and needing to die. It's a slow process - a gradual loss of quality of life. It's the hardest decision any owner has to make - deciding when that time has come, when the animal really is suffering and can be considered to have no quality of life. This can be extreme difficulty in getting around, pain, incontinence - any condition that makes the animal's life incomparable to what he had before.

So in answer to your question no, I would not put an animal down solely for being old - I would let any animal live so long as it had genuine quality of life, even if it was the oldest animal in the world.

Chalice

Answer 3

In all honesty I would have to say no, providing the dog does not have unbearable pain with movements or activity. Should the dog begin to suffer from something like severe arthritis, then I might consider putting it down. Putting an animal to sleep should only be used when the dog is suffering, a dog can get as old as possible without issues never having to be put down and dying of natural causes peacefully.

Answer 4

only if the dog was in pain and discomfort. ie: joint pain/arthritis, severe breathing difficulty...

as long as your dog is able to get around, maybe with a little help and is still eating and drinking good, no major problems I'd say he's good for awhile.

I would like to say I think if your dog is having major health issues and is in pain than the decision to put him down is the kind thing to do. I'm a Vet Tech and I've seen people with dogs as old as 18 years that are in pain, can't get up on their own, can hardly walk - and when they do it's very unstable, blind and weak... and they still hold out just letting the animal go on in pain. It's hard to see.

Answer 5

This is the question that plagues pet owners. Me personally, no I wouldn't put a dog down just cause it was old. I'd also look at its quality of life. If it was eating and enjoying its food, maybe a bone now and then, I'd do what I could to help with any aches and pains and give it the kind of life I hope someone gives me.

www.fearfuldogs.com

Answer 6

Is the dog happy? Is he continent? Can he move around without falling over and hurting himself?

If the answers are "yes", then he is fine to go on a while yet. You might want to add some supplements to his food, like glucosamine, calcium, and cod liver oil.

Some people keep old dogs alive way too long but your boy sounds fine. Give him a chance to enjoy life a while longer yet.

Answer 7

Not unless the dog is suffering. It's a hard enough think to do when the dog is VERY ill and in pain. Could never do it if "not too bad" Talk to your vet and see what he says.

Answer 8

I actually have one that wasn't supposed to live.

Sometimes you just have to give them a reason to keep kicking.

I keep bess kicking by bringing in new strange dogs for her to kicking around. When I first decided to keep her she didn't go up and down the steps. I had a dog (Ironically named target) that I put on the landing and she was up the stairs before she knew it.

I think one deciding factor would depend on which dog. Bear and cubby have a conviction to survive. Mack doesn't, Lillie would depend on the problem and as is bess is still going.

I had to let my 19 year old cat go but she could no longer hold herself and she had refused us grooming her for over a year. She had been strong but I had to let her go. She is still my password on many programs.

Answer 9

we have 2 old dogs. one is a 130 pound golden mix (12yrs old) and the other a 78 pound bassett (11 yrs old). both dogs are getting slower by the day but they are still getting around. they are not loosing there bladders, or seem to be in any pain. they both eat relatively well and still try and participate in family activities. so i have to say no just because they are old i wont put them down. when the are in pain, stop eating , loose their bladder or eyesight then it will be time for me.

Answer 10

Not unless his quality of life is really poor, or if he was in pain.

I have an old cat - she's 17 now. She doesn't get around very well, but still seems to be a happy cat, so there's no reason to put her down.