It is never easy saying goodbye to a beloved dog. Deciding when to put an ill dog to sleep can be one of the most difficult things a dog owner faces. There are many factors to consider when making this decision. Every situation will be different because every dog is different. There are some loose guidelines, however, for making the decision to put a sick dog to sleep.
Instructions
Look for obvious signs of physical pain, such as yelping and fast, labored breathing. Your veterinarian may have prescribed pain medications, but eventually these medications may not be effective, even at a higher dose. When this becomes the norm, rather than the exception, it may be time to consider humane euthanasia.
Make a mental checklist of activities that usually give the dog pleasure, such as playing with a toy, taking a walk or being groomed. As long as a dog is still able to enjoy some of its usual pleasurable activities, some dog owners may choose to wait before putting it to sleep--other factors may outweigh this, however. For example, if the dog has a fast-progressing disease and is deteriorating rapidly, some owners may decide to put a dog to sleep before it starts suffering more. This is a very personal decision and neither is right or wrong.
Watch the dog's eating and drinking habits and general ability to receive nutrition. Dogs that are unable to receive sufficient calories and fluids may deteriorate very quickly. Supplements, intravenous fluids and special high-calorie, easy to digest diets will help slow this process, but if the type of illness (stomach cancer, for example) is such that the dog will never be able to recover and eat or drink normally, this is something to consider.
Look for apathy and depression signs. Medications and even low blood sugar may cause these signs in dogs too--signs which include lethargy, unwillingness to play or move around and loss of appetite. However, some dogs may simply lose the strength and desire to keep going, with or without medications.
Ask yourself if the dog is having progressively more bad days than good days, as suggested by the American Veterinary Medical Association. When the good days become rare, and it is unlikely that the dog will ever recover, then it may be time to put it to sleep.