Resources

On this page, you can find information about How you will know it’s time, Quality-of-Life Resources, End-of-Life Preplanning Resources and Grief Resources.

Deciding when it is the right time to consider euthanasia for your pet is likely the most difficult decision you as a pet owner will have to make. It is important to be kind to yourself during this time. When trying to determine when is the best time to euthanize, it is unrealistic to hit the bull’s eye, and rather we should aim for the target, which is the window of time that euthanasia is appropriate. There is no one-size-fits-all answer and the best decision is one that is made out of love.

Here are some factors and considerations that you may want to take into account when trying to decide:

Quality of Life (QOL):

  • Assess your pet’s overall quality of life. Consider factors such as pain, discomfort, mobility, and the ability to engage in activities they once enjoyed. If your pet’s quality of life has significantly diminished, euthanasia may be the kindest gift you can give your pet at this time. Please refer to the QOL scale to help guide you. It is important to note that your pet’s QOL score will vary depending on when you fill out the form. If your pet is having a good day or good moment, then the score will be higher. And conversely, if your pet is having a bad day or bad moment, then the score will be lower. As such, it is a good idea to redo the QOL scale periodically. We recommend having other family members and friends complete it as well so if your answers don’t align, you can discuss why.
Incurable Illness:
  • If your pet has been diagnosed with an incurable or progressive illness and their symptoms are worsening despite medical intervention, you may need to consider their long-term prognosis and quality of life.
  • Please note that although the QOL assessment is an objective way to assess your pet, sometimes with incurable illness, or a diagnosis of a disease that can cause significant pain in the future, euthanasia is considered sooner to prevent future suffering.
Consult with Veterinarian:
  • Seek the advice of a veterinarian. They can provide valuable insights into your pet’s health and offer guidance on whether euthanasia is a humane and compassionate option.
Personal Values:
  • Consider your own values and religious beliefs. Reflect on what you believe is in the best interest of your pet. It’s a deeply personal decision, and your veterinarian or we can help you navigate the ethical considerations.
Ultimately, the decision to euthanize a pet is emotionally challenging, and it’s important to give yourself the time and space to make a decision that aligns with your pet’s well-being and your own values.

A helpful quote to consider, “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” (from William Shakespeare)

If you need help deciding, Service Request with us and we can provide guidance.

For additional reading on this topic, please refer to our blog post: How Will I Know When It’s Time

Quality-of-Life scales are a good starting point for thought, discussion and decision making. Understand that the end score is a snapshot in time of how your pet is doing and will vary depending if your pet is having a good or bad day. It is a good idea to complete the scale at different times of the day and by multiple members of the family. If your answers differ, then this is a good point of discussion.

Below is an example of a Quality-of-Life Scale based on the HHHHMM scale created by Dr. Alice Villalobos. It is broken down into 7 categories. For each category, score your pet using a scale of 0 to 10 (0= Unacceptable, and 10 = being ideal to evaluate their quality of life.

HURT (in pain/distress) – Is your pet in pain, including distress from difficulty with breathing? Can your pet’s pain be successfully managed? Is oxygen necessary? Adequate pain control, including the ability to breathe, is the most important aspect of quality of life and it is first and foremost on the scale. Many pet owners may not realize that not being able to breathe easily can be one of the most painful experiences for an animal.

(Here is a pain scale for cats, and a pain scale for dogs that you may find helpful)

HUNGER (appetite)– Is your pet eating enough? Has your pet lost interest in food? If your pet is not receiving adequate nutrition by hand feeding or other means of coaxing, then a feeding tube should be considered, especially for cats. Malnutrition develops quickly in sick animals if the care giver is not knowledgeable about pet nutrition.

HYDRATION— Is your pet dehydrated? Are subcutaneous fluids once or twice daily enough to resolve the problem? Are they well tolerated?

HYGIENE— Is your pet able to urinate/defecate normally and in the proper location? Is your pet kept brushed and clean particularly after elimination. Does your pet have pressure sores?

HAPPINESS— Does your pet express joy and interest? Is he/she responsive and showing interest in things around him (family, toys, etc)? Is your pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored, or afraid? Can your pet’s bed be near the kitchen and moved near family activities to minimize isolation?

MOBILITY— Can your pet get up without assistance or with assistance (human or mechanical help eg, a cart, in order to satisfy their needs? Does he/she feel like going for a walk? Is he/she having seizures or stumbling? Is medication helping? Note: Some caregivers feel euthanasia is preferable to amputation, yet an animal with limited mobility may still be alert and responsive, and can have a good quality of life as long as the family is committed and able to help their pet. Some cats and small lap dogs can and do seem to enjoy life with much less mobility than large and giant-breed dogs.

MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD— When bad days out number good days, the pet’s suffering is appreciable and quality of life might be too compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond in no longer possible, the caregiver must be made aware that the end is near. The decision for euthanasia should be made sooner rather than later to prevent further suffering, or to end suffering. Making the decision for euthanasia is a kindness to pets that are suffering.

A total > (greater than) 35 points is acceptable quality of life for pets and if applicable, hospice care can be continued.

Original concept, Oncology Outlook, by Dr. Alice Villalobos, Quality of Life Scale Helps Make Final Call, VPN, 09/2004; Adapted from: Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human-Animal Bond, Blackwell Publishing, 2007.

Click here to view the pdf of our Quality-of-Life Scale

An image showing

Below are some more examples:

MMVHS Quality-of-Life Scale
JOURNEYS online interactive Quality-of-Life Scale
Ohio State University Quality-of-Life Scale

Losing a pet is never easy, but it has been shown that when pet parents are able to plan ahead, they have less regret.

Some considerations for preplanning include:

  • Completing bucket list items
  • What does your last day with your pet look like?
  • Where will the process take place?
  • Who should be present?
  • When should it take place?
  • Would you like music or a particular song playing? Would you like the lights dimmed?
  • What if your pet passes at home?
  • What aftercare wishes would you like?
View our End-of-Life Preplanning Guide and blog post for more information:

A detailed end-of-life preplanning checklist from

Refer to this excellent reference put together by the Ontario Veterinary College:

A support guide cover titled

Pet Loss Books

There are many books written on the subject of pet loss and grieving. These resources can offer insights into the grieving
process and coping strategies. Below are books that you may find helpful with affiliate links.

Some examples of books, in no particular order:

Books for kids:

Counselling

  • The Parted Paw: Based in Toronto, Ontario, The Parted Paw is a company that provide professional pet loss & bereavement service. Koryn Greenspan, the founder of The Parted Paw, is a Certified Pet Loss Bereavement Specialist and an ACC-ICF Certified Coach. Services include: Processing and preparing, Grief Recovery, and Life After Saying Goodbye
  •  Pet Parent Grief Support provided by Gateway Pet Memorial. An excellent online resource for grieving pet parents.
  • Lap of Love: US based end of life company that offers pet loss support: Book your Individual Pet Loss Support Sessions ($50.00 for a 50-minute session) or Reserve your spot for Free Pet Loss Support Group sessions
  • The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB): APLB’s mission is to promote and expand the field of pet loss and grief support by providing pet family support services and resources that honor the human/animal bond. They also provide comprehensive training for professionals in the veterinary, mental health and pet industry fields with relevant, up-to-date and proven educational tools to advance their knowledge in offering front-line support to grieving families. They offer free, scheduled, live sessions on an easy-to-use online group chat platform dealing with: Pet loss and anticipatory bereavement

Helpful Websites

  • LapofLove.com – An american based company that provides in-home pet euthanasia, consultation, veterinary hospice, and pet loss support services.
  • PetLossHelp.org– A website dedicated to helping pet lovers understand pet loss and addressing common questions related to the mourning process. Offers additional bereavement for pet guardians as well as a pet memorial hall of fame.
  • Aplb.org – Information devoted solely to helping you better understand and deal with euthanasia and why it’s a humane choice for ill pets. Also includes information related to how pets mourn the loss of their companions and a chat room to discuss your loss with others.
  • HelpGuide.org – A comprehensive guide to understanding grief after the loss of a pet as well as how to handle it when others devalue your loss. Additional resources include helping a child deal with pet loss and how you might know when it’s time to move on after a loss.
  • KidsHealth.org– A site dedicated to helping younger children understand what happens after a pet passes away and why they are experiencing new feelings. Also available in Spanish.
  • HumaneSociety.org – Coping With the Death of Your Pet: How to take care of yourself, your family, and other pets when you’ve had to say goodbye.
  • Psychology Today Magazine– Getting Over Rover: Why Our Grief Over a Dog is so Intense.

Resources

On this page, you can find information about How you will know it’s time, Quality-of-Life Resources, End-of-Life Preplanning Resources and Grief Resources.

Deciding when it is the right time to consider euthanasia for your pet is likely the most difficult decision you as a pet owner will have to make. It is important to be kind to yourself during this time. When trying to determine when is the best time to euthanize, it is unrealistic to hit the bull’s eye, and rather we should aim for the target, which is the window of time that euthanasia is appropriate. There is no one-size-fits-all answer and the best decision is one that is made out of love.

Here are some factors and considerations that you may want to take into account when trying to decide:

Quality of Life (QOL):

  • Assess your pet’s overall quality of life. Consider factors such as pain, discomfort, mobility, and the ability to engage in activities they once enjoyed. If your pet’s quality of life has significantly diminished, euthanasia may be the kindest gift you can give your pet at this time. Please refer to the QOL scale to help guide you. It is important to note that your pet’s QOL score will vary depending on when you fill out the form. If your pet is having a good day or good moment, then the score will be higher. And conversely, if your pet is having a bad day or bad moment, then the score will be lower. As such, it is a good idea to redo the QOL scale periodically. We recommend having other family members and friends complete it as well so if your answers don’t align, you can discuss why.
Incurable Illness:
  • If your pet has been diagnosed with an incurable or progressive illness and their symptoms are worsening despite medical intervention, you may need to consider their long-term prognosis and quality of life.
  • Please note that although the QOL assessment is an objective way to assess your pet, sometimes with incurable illness, or a diagnosis of a disease that can cause significant pain in the future, euthanasia is considered sooner to prevent future suffering.
Consult with Veterinarian:
  • Seek the advice of a veterinarian. They can provide valuable insights into your pet’s health and offer guidance on whether euthanasia is a humane and compassionate option.
Personal Values:
  • Consider your own values and religious beliefs. Reflect on what you believe is in the best interest of your pet. It’s a deeply personal decision, and your veterinarian or we can help you navigate the ethical considerations.
Ultimately, the decision to euthanize a pet is emotionally challenging, and it’s important to give yourself the time and space to make a decision that aligns with your pet’s well-being and your own values.

A helpful quote to consider, “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” (from William Shakespeare)

If you need help deciding, Service Request with us and we can provide guidance.

For additional information, please refer to our blog post: How Will I Know When It’s Time

Quality-of-Life scales are a good starting point for thought, discussion and decision making. Understand that the end score is a snapshot in time of how your pet is doing and will vary depending if your pet is having a good or bad day. It is a good idea to complete the scale at different times of the day and by multiple members of the family. If your answers differ, then this is a good point of discussion.

Below is an example of a Quality-of-Life Scale based on the HHHHMM scale created by Dr. Alice Villalobos. It is broken down into 7 categories. For each category, score your pet using a scale of 0 to 10 (0= Unacceptable, and 10 = being ideal to evaluate their quality of life.

HURT (in pain/distress) – Is your pet in pain, including distress from difficulty with breathing? Can your pet’s pain be successfully managed? Is oxygen necessary? Adequate pain control, including the ability to breathe, is the most important aspect of quality of life and it is first and foremost on the scale. Many pet owners may not realize that not being able to breathe easily can be one of the most painful experiences for an animal.

(Here is a pain scale for cats, and a pain scale for dogs that you may find helpful)

HUNGER (appetite)– Is your pet eating enough? Has your pet lost interest in food? If your pet is not receiving adequate nutrition by hand feeding or other means of coaxing, then a feeding tube should be considered, especially for cats. Malnutrition develops quickly in sick animals if the care giver is not knowledgeable about pet nutrition.

HYDRATION— Is your pet dehydrated? Are subcutaneous fluids once or twice daily enough to resolve the problem? Are they well tolerated?

HYGIENE— Is your pet able to urinate/defecate normally and in the proper location? Is your pet kept brushed and clean particularly after elimination. Does your pet have pressure sores?

HAPPINESS— Does your pet express joy and interest? Is he/she responsive and showing interest in things around him (family, toys, etc)? Is your pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored, or afraid? Can your pet’s bed be near the kitchen and moved near family activities to minimize isolation?

MOBILITY— Can your pet get up without assistance or with assistance (human or mechanical help eg, a cart, in order to satisfy their needs? Does he/she feel like going for a walk? Is he/she having seizures or stumbling? Is medication helping? Note: Some caregivers feel euthanasia is preferable to amputation, yet an animal with limited mobility may still be alert and responsive, and can have a good quality of life as long as the family is committed and able to help their pet. Some cats and small lap dogs can and do seem to enjoy life with much less mobility than large and giant-breed dogs.

MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD— When bad days out number good days, the pet’s suffering is appreciable and quality of life might be too compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond in no longer possible, the caregiver must be made aware that the end is near. The decision for euthanasia should be made sooner rather than later to prevent further suffering, or to end suffering. Making the decision for euthanasia is a kindness to pets that are suffering.

A total > (greater than) 35 points is acceptable quality of life for pets and if applicable, hospice care can be continued.

Original concept, Oncology Outlook, by Dr. Alice Villalobos, Quality of Life Scale Helps Make Final Call, VPN, 09/2004; Adapted from: Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human-Animal Bond, Blackwell Publishing, 2007.

Click here to view the pdf of our Quality-of-Life Scale
An image showing

Below are some more examples:

MMVHS Quality-of-Life Scale
JOURNEYS online interactive Quality-of-Life Scale
Ohio State University Quality-of-Life Scale

Losing a pet is never easy, but it has been shown that when pet parents are able to plan ahead, they have less regret.

Some considerations for preplanning include:

  • Completing bucket list items
  • What does your last day with your pet look like?
  • Where will the process take place?
  • Who should be present?
  • When should it take place?
  • Would you like music or a particular song playing? Would you like the lights dimmed?
  • What if your pet passes at home?
  • What aftercare wishes would you like?
View our End-of-Life Preplanning Guide and blog post for more information:
A detailed end-of-life preplanning checklist from

Refer to this excellent reference put together by the Ontario Veterinary College:
A support guide cover titled

Pet Loss Books

There are many books written on the subject of pet loss and grieving. These resources can offer insights into the grieving
process and coping strategies.

Some examples of books, in no particular order (below are affiliate links to help continue to fund this website):

Books for kids:
Counselling
Logo for Pet Compassion Careline. The image features a light blue retro telephone with a heart-shaped paw print on it, symbolizing the caring touch of a vet. Below the phone,
Pet Compassion Careline can be utilized 24/7 and is provided by Gateway Pet Memorial. Grief support is available to all. Call to reach a grief counselor today at 1 (855) 245-8214.

Please refer to this pamphlet called “Understanding Grief: Information & Resources For Families” for useful information

Logo of Lap of Love, a company with the tagline
Lap of Love: Offering Pet Loss Support: Book your Individual Pet Loss Support Sessions ($50.00 for a 50-minute session) or Reserve your spot for Free Pet Loss Support Group sessions

A veterinarian kneels beside a dog in front of a large sign that reads
Thistledown Pet Memorial: Free telephone support for pet owners requiring some assistance in coping with the grief associated with their loss. The staff are not professional grief therapists but can offer some support and direct you to the names of individuals grief therapists and other support groups.

Logo for the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB) featuring silhouettes of a horse, dog, and cat above green leaves. The text to the right reads
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB): APLB’s mission is to promote and expand the field of pet loss and grief support by providing pet family support services and resources that honor the human/animal bond. They also provide comprehensive training for professionals in the veterinary, mental health and pet industry fields with relevant, up-to-date and proven educational tools to advance their knowledge in offering front-line support to grieving families. They offer free, scheduled, live sessions on an easy-to-use online group chat platform dealing with:

  • Pet Loss
  • Anticipatory Bereavement

Helpful Websites

  • LapofLove.com – An american based company that provides in-home pet euthanasia, consultation, veterinary hospice, and pet loss support services.
  • PetLossHelp.org– A website dedicated to helping pet lovers understand pet loss and addressing common questions related to the mourning process. Offers additional bereavement for pet guardians as well as a pet memorial hall of fame.
  • Aplb.org – Information devoted solely to helping you better understand and deal with euthanasia and why it’s a humane choice for ill pets. Also includes information related to how pets mourn the loss of their companions and a chat room to discuss your loss with others.
  • HelpGuide.org – A comprehensive guide to understanding grief after the loss of a pet as well as how to handle it when others devalue your loss. Additional resources include helping a child deal with pet loss and how you might know when it’s time to move on after a loss.
  • KidsHealth.org– A site dedicated to helping younger children understand what happens after a pet passes away and why they are experiencing new feelings. Also available in Spanish.
  • HumaneSociety.org – Coping With the Death of Your Pet: How to take care of yourself, your family, and other pets when you’ve had to say goodbye.
  • Psychology Today Magazine– Getting Over Rover: Why Our Grief Over a Dog is so Intense.