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When is it time to put your dog down?

Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:07 pm
Posted by EST
Investigating
Member since Oct 2003
18206 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:07 pm
I'm having a disagreement with my family on this.

My dog is 12, has diabetes, is blind, and hard of hearing. His diabetes is controlled with insulin injections. He eats well, gets around the house on his own, and still enjoys his walks.

Some in my family think we should put him down because they think he is suffering because he can't do what he used to (play, see, hear well, chew bones).

I don't think he should be put down unless he is diagnosed with cancer or some other terminal disease or he just quits doing everything like eating, going for walks, etc.

What do you think?
Thanks.
Posted by Tiguar
Montana
Member since Mar 2012
33131 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:08 pm to
If he’s eating, not shitting himself, and generally seems happy, it’s not time.
Posted by TigerOnTheMountain
Higher Elevation
Member since Oct 2014
41773 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:09 pm to
When their quality of life is noticeably diminished.
Posted by tigerinthebueche
Member since Oct 2010
37687 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:09 pm to
quote:

He eats well, gets around the house on his own, and still enjoys his walks.


This is good enough for me. When he don’t eat, give him the needle.

frick everyone else. He’s your dog, you do what you think is right.
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
20361 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:16 pm to
quote:

Some in my family think we should put him down because they think he is suffering because he can't do what he used to (play, see, hear well, chew bones).


I’m sure many in your family can’t do what they used to because they’re old, fat, whatever. Ask them if it’s time to put them down.
Posted by Sao
East Texas Piney Woods
Member since Jun 2009
68469 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:17 pm to

Just let the poor thing die naturally. He won't see it coming.
Posted by Will Cover
Davidson, NC
Member since Mar 2007
39866 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:17 pm to
Depending on situation (age, health, food intake, incontinence, etc.) if dog declines consecutively 3 days in a row and stops being a dog — and becomes more of a patient, I think that is when a tough decision has to be strongly looked at.

Posted by Ingeniero
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2013
21768 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:18 pm to
quote:

His diabetes is controlled with insulin injections. He eats well, gets around the house on his own, and still enjoys his walks.

It's not time yet. It sounds cliche and comes up in every thread, but your buddy will let you know when it's time.
Posted by biohzrd
Central City
Member since Jan 2010
5884 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:18 pm to
The same time you’d put a human down.... I’ve had to put two dogs down, but that was when they stopped eating, and loss control of their bowl/urine movement.

Did I wait too long?? Probably, but I’d do the same for a family member that was human.
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
23304 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:19 pm to
So on one side, remember he’s long past where he would have lived if a wild animal. Given that, humans live well past our natural life without medicine.

But yes, general the rule of thumb is when they stop eating and going to bath to the bathroom like normal.
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
104177 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:21 pm to
quote:

He eats well, gets around the house on his own, and still enjoys his walks.


Not time yet. Dogs have no past or future. They live completely in the present. He doesn't know he can't do what he used to do.

Things to look for: Obvious pain that can't be controlled, mobility issues, loss of appetite. All these things can be dealt with via medication, but if the meds don't help, then it's time.
Posted by shutterspeed
MS Gulf Coast
Member since May 2007
70366 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:23 pm to
If I thought my dog still enjoyed some quality of life and being part of the family, and he wasn’t creating a financial hardship, then I wouldn’t pull the trigger.
Posted by A Menace to Sobriety
Member since Jun 2018
32005 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:45 pm to
quote:

My dog is 12, has diabetes, is blind, and hard of hearing. His diabetes is controlled with insulin injections. He eats well, gets around the house on his own, and still enjoys his walks


If it's still eating well, walking well, playing well, and genuinely looks happy, then I would do nothing. Trust me most people know when it's time, and I'm sure you do too. Sounds like he still has life in him.
Posted by Huey Lewis
BR
Member since Oct 2013
5051 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:45 pm to
quote:

I don't think he should be put down unless he is diagnosed with cancer or some other terminal disease or he just quits doing everything like eating, going for walks, etc.


I agree with this assessment, but I think the objectively true answer to when it's okay to put a dog down is: whenever you want for whatever reason you want.
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
60332 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:48 pm to
I don’t know the answer you seek...nobody does. I will however, say that I have had to put three dogs down in my life and 100% of the time I waited too long. I don’t know whether I rationalized that it was not time yet, or I just procrastinated, but the fact is, I did it.
Posted by beauchristopher
Member since Jan 2008
71837 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:50 pm to
If he's eating then I think he's okay.

Our dog was super old and could no longer walk and we had someone tell us to put her down, but she lived another year this way. She still ate great and seemed okay. She was also losing hearing. We even made a customized wheelchair for her to use. She would let us know when she needed to go and we'd assist her. She was also able to walk the yard with the wheelchair. Thankfully she passed on her own, because my mother was really struggling with whether to put her down.

This post was edited on 4/11/21 at 9:53 pm
Posted by Ancient Astronaut
Member since May 2015
37114 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:50 pm to
Be a good owner and don’t think about murdering ur dog!
Posted by Tigahs24Seven
Charlie Kirk's America
Member since Nov 2007
14411 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:52 pm to
I have had to do it a few times.. Never easy.
However, when it is time you KNOW it in your gut. It is obvious. Doesn't sound like you are there yet. You will know.
Posted by Methuselah
On da Riva
Member since Jan 2005
23350 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:55 pm to
quote:

He eats well, gets around the house on his own, and still enjoys his walks.

If he's still enjoying things and is not in pain, I think it's ok to wait. Just monitor him closely to see if those things change. Give him lots of love.
Posted by SpotCheckBilly
Member since May 2020
8183 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 9:56 pm to
quote:

If he’s eating, not shitting himself, and generally seems happy, it’s not time.


This. You'll know when it's time. It's not easy, not at al, but at some point you realize that the only reason you aren't doing it is because you just can't let him go. And then you will let him go.
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