If your grey-muzzled companion is in the end-stages of dementia in dogs, when to euthanize him or her may be a question that weighs heavily on your mind. To help give you some measure of peace and clarity, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby invites Dr. Dawnetta Woodruff to the blog. As a veterinarian who specializes in end-of-life care, Dr. Woodruff is the perfect person to address this difficult decision with compassion and understanding.
Maybe you have a senior dog who is “just not himself” or “just not herself” lately. He or she paces the house, seems confused, pants a lot, barks at normal noises, and may even look at you as if you are a stranger. You may wonder what could possibly be wrong, and how do you manage it?
There are a variety of conditions that could be the culprit. However, the most likely explanation is that your dog might be dealing with dementia, a condition which affects 68% of dogs by 16 years of age. While it can’t be cured, there are some things you can do to help your dog continue to have a good quality of life. However, eventually the time may come when you need to consider when to euthanize a dog who has dementia.
What is dementia in dogs?
Very few diseases are as frustrating and difficult to manage as canine dementia, which is also called canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD). When examined microscopically, the brain of a dog with dementia looks identical to the brain of a human with Alzheimer’s disease. And like Alzheimer’s patients, dogs with CCD suffer a decline in their cognitive function. Many advances are being made in treating both diseases, but there is currently no cure.
The earlier the veterinarian and dog owner start treatment, the better the dog will respond. However, in order to start treatments early, a dog must have an early diagnosis. There is no specific blood test or other lab work that can give you an official “yes or no.” Instead, your veterinarian will diagnose CCD based on the symptoms your dog is showing.
Signs of dementia
It is important to consult with your vet if you think your dog may be starting to show any of these signs of dementia:
Disorientation
- Pacing
- Appearing lost
- Staring into space
- Acting confused
- Wandering room to room
- Getting “stuck” in a corner
Interaction changes
- No interest in seeing family
- Doesn’t play with other pets in the home anymore
- Acting very aloof or very clingy
- New aggression toward family members or other pets
Sleep issues
- Sleeping more or less than normal
- Restless sleep
- Pacing at night
- Days and nights mixed up
- Senior dog anxiety at night
House Soiling
- Finding urine or feces in the home when your dog used to be fully housetrained
- Urinating or defecating in front of the owner inside
Altered Activity
- No longer interested in playing, taking walks, or being groomed
- Doesn’t recognize learned commands
For a more in-depth look at how these signs present, please read my article that specifically covers the signs of dementia in dogs.
Also, to help guide a conversation with your dog’s veterinarian, you can print off a canine cognitive dysfunction checklist and take it with you to your dog’s next vet visit.
How can you help a dog with dementia?
If your veterinarian diagnoses your dog with dementia, there are many things you can do to hopefully slow the progression of the disease and reduce the symptoms. Keeping the routine as predictable as possible can be very helpful for your dog. A regular feeding time, a regular sleep schedule, and predictable time for play can be stable anchors within your dog’s confusing day.
Rotating favorite toys in and out of the dog’s toy box, adding puzzle toys, and spending extra time going on walks (or stroller rides) for mental stimulation can help your dog feel more like himself or herself. Interestingly, a study from the University of Washington titled Evaluation of Cognitive Function in the Dog Aging Project: Associations with Baseline Canine Characteristics indicated that dogs who were not active were 6.47 times more likely to develop CCD than dogs who were very active. So regular activity may boost brain health!
Spending a few minutes each day reviewing familiar commands can also be grounding for your dog. Reinforcing well-known behaviors (like sit and stay) can increase healthy brain activity. Plus, it may help your dog remember other things as well! As an extra bonus, those training sessions help to strengthen the bond you have with your dog. This is especially important with cognitive decline.
Additional treatment options
In addition to these environmental modifications, your vet may recommend various supplements, foods, or medications. Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids for dogs and Senilife® are available without a prescription. They may help promote brain health and reduce behaviors associated with brain aging. Two prescription diets, Hill’s® Prescription Diet® b/d Canine for “brain aging care” and Purina® Neuro Care, and one over-the-counter (OTC) dog food, Purina® Bright Minds, can also be helpful.
As the disease progresses, you may need prescription medications to help with some of the more bothersome symptoms.
- Some dogs may benefit from Selegiline (Anipryl®), a medication designed to help control some of the clinical signs of CCD.
- At first, the OTC supplement melatonin for dogs might help a dog sleep at night. But when it is no longer effective, your vet may wish to prescribe a sedative to help your dog get appropriate rest.
- Supplements like Anxitane® or Zylkene® can help with mild anxiety. However, when the problem worsens, your dog may need prescription medications like Trazodone or Alprazolam to relax during the day.
What does the progression of CCD look like?
The most troublesome symptoms often start with subtle changes. But as they progress in severity, a dog’s quality of life (QOL) can be greatly diminished. For example:
- Getting stuck in the corner once every few days might be bothersome. But when it happens 5 to 10 times a day, the stress can be immeasurable.
- An occasional puddle of urine or pile of stool might be easy to clean up. But when your dog is soiling the carpet or the bed multiple times a day, it can be frustrating and upsetting to both of you.
- When your dog occasionally paces the house for a few minutes at night, you can both go back to sleep quickly. But when the pacing lasts for hours, and neither of you is able to sleep, you can both have increased stress and decreased overall health.
Not only does your dog’s quality of life decline, but you are constantly worrying and running on an empty tank. Your stress level is high. And you don’t feel like you have the energy or the patience to give your dog the love and care he or she needs, and you wish to provide. As the dementia worsens, the precious bond you share with your dog can begin to break…and that is the last thing either of you wants to happen.
How will you know if it’s time to euthanize your dog who is suffering from dementia?
Maintaining the human-animal bond should the most important goal at the end of any dog’s life. Dogs adore their human family more than anything else in their lives! So when they are unable to recognize their loved ones, or when the bond has been broken due to mutual stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep, the time has come to set them free from their struggles. Whenever the deep bond between human and dog is broken, there is no longer any quality of life. At that point, it may be the kindest decision to put down a dog.
It is incredibly difficult to consider euthanasia for your canine family member. But it is also incredibly difficult to watch him or her struggle through each day, confused, anxious, and exhausted. Caring for any dog at the end of his or her life is difficult. But perhaps caring for a dog with dementia is the most heart-wrenching.
You wish to be able to comfort your dog, but the old familiar comfort measures no longer work. And when your dog doesn’t even recognize you, your presence no longer brings the comfort it once did. You want to give your dog everything he or she needs, but your time and energy is spread thin.
This is very normal, and frustration is an expected response to a very stressful situation. But it often causes caregivers to feel isolated, lonely, and guilty. Giving up sleep, cleaning up after your dog many times every day, bathing him or her often, and having your beloved senior dog lash out at you in frustration and fear can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
Your precious old dog needs an abundance of patience, love, and nursing care. That can be difficult to provide, even for the most loving and devoted person.
Euthanasia is a beautiful and selfless decision
Considering euthanasia can sometimes feel like a selfish decision. “I don’t want to euthanize her just because she’s hard to care for!” is something that I hear often from distraught pet owners. But every time I hear those words, I hear them coming from a family member who loves their dog deeply and is making a heart-wrenching decision in order to end their dog’s struggles. That is the opposite of selfish—it is selfless.
I remind families that you’re not choosing euthanasia because your sweet dog is hard to care for. Rather you realize that your dog’s life has grown so difficult that he or she is no longer happy. You don’t want to see your dog get any worse. So, you are choosing to provide your dear companion an escape from his or her mental and physical pain. You are focusing on your dog’s quality of life above all else, and (while it is incredibly difficult) that is a kind and beautiful decision.
Resources for navigating the end of your dog’s life
As you wrestle with this difficult decision of when to euthanize your precious dog with dementia, some of these articles may also help bring you some peace:
- In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers to 12 FAQs
- Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
- Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
- How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
- Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
How did you know it was time to euthanize your dog with dementia?
Please share your experiences as a way to honor your dog’s legacy and help other dog parents who are facing this heart-breaking decision.
I happened on your website as I have been searching the internet for answers on how to know when the the end is here and the time is right to let our dog go. Izzy is a 17 (+5 months) old chiweenie. Currently, she has cataracts, can’t hear well (really only loud claps or she feels vibrations on the floor), has terrible arthritis in her back legs and has some cuts on her front paws (assuming from her distribution of weight). She used to be about 11 pounds, is around 8ish now and the vet says she is losing muscle tone (her hind legs will start to slide down if she stands too long). Her blood work is good, despite her heart murmur (4 out of 6 and no side effects, no coughing, etc.). The vet says everything is “normal” for her age and we should just watch for good days vs. bad days to get a gauge. She really just exists because she doesn’t play anymore, walk outside anymore, can’t do steps or jump, doesn’t want to sit with us or interact with us, basically anything that she liked to do and anything that a dog does. She has dementia, she sleeps most of the day but is up at night and when she is up during the day, she wanders around, sometimes just stopping in the middle of a room and stays there for a few minutes or stands at the bottom of the steps looking up. She eats (sometimes in the middle of the night) and still drinks. She poops/pees in the house daily, even after being outside. She is in diapers full-time. I had to cut her nails and she did bite my hand (though, to be fair, she never liked that). I just wish I had a sign to know that it’s time or a gut feeling. I feel like I am putting the pressure on myself to make a decision. Part of me feels like I am making a decision because she’s a burden because I am giving her meds 3x day, changing diapers and cleaning up messes. Logically, I can do a checklist and understand that her quality of life is not great and that she’s existing, but that said, she still walks around (she does have a hobble), eats, drinks and looks at me. The hardest part for me, at this point, are my kids – 10 and 12. I am so very worried about them. If they weren’t here, I would probably take let Izzy go to peace but my kids do not want to say goodbye (even though they see her quality of life and our frustrations). Just really struggling with how to make the final call, will I get a gut feeling? How do I handle my kids? They both say they want to go when we take her and I’m ok with that. I just don’t want them to feel this horrible sadness (which they are already feeling because we keep talking about this and it’s such a heavy weight of “when”). Any guidance?
Dear Jen,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult decision for Izzy. You are not alone, and your story is very similar to many others. Let me be honest. From what you describe….it is time. I know letting go will be very emotional and hard, but it will also be freeing for Izzy and your family. Saying goodbye may be the most loving option and only way to give Izzy peace from her struggles. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I pray you find the answers you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Wishing you strength and clarity. Bless you and your family. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
4. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
First, thank you for a very informative and incredibly compassionate article. It’s good to know that my concerns are valid. I have read through all of the comments about this article, and I can see my 16-year-old shihpoo, Roxxie, in just about all of them. Roxxie’s decline started gradually, but it is progressing more rapidly now. Although Roxxie has a nonspecific liver ailment (very high enzyme levels) we manage that with Denamarin and a liver support home-cooked diet, and she seems ok physically for the most part. Let me be clear that she has not been diagnosed with dementia by a veterinarian. But she is undeniably declining. She used to be such a sweet little cuddlebug, but she no longer wants to be held. Every day, multiple times per day, she gets “stuck” or frozen as though she does not know where she is or cannot decide where she wants to go. She has gotten herself into corners and cannot get out without assistance. She can still find her food and water dish, and she still eats and drinks, but she will stand in front of her dishes and not know what to do until I touch her mouth with a bit of food or water. She sleeps all morning after breakfast, eats lunch, sleeps all afternoon, eats supper, and then she gets restless and paces back and forth through the house. We don’t know how much she can see or hear anymore. The slightest touch can startle her. More disturbing, she has been trying to bite when she’s startled or disturbed. I can’t let the grandkids around her anymore. I am afraid to take her to the groomer for fear she will bite this lovely woman. She has bitten my husband when she was startled. When I take her upstairs at night, I can no longer let her go to her crate on her own, because if she gets into another room by mistake, she gets confused, then terrified. Most recently she has started barking at night. One night her barking lasted for several hours. If she’s quiet at night, I feel I must get up to check and see if she’s still breathing. She still urinates outside, but this is due to our strictly vigilant schedule of taking her out, because she doesn’t go to the door anymore. She defecates in the house almost every day. This is all very stressful for us, but I don’t want to make a decision based on my stress or misreading of the situation. My heart breaks a little more every day for our sweet Roxxie, and I fear the end is very near. I am ashamed of myself for considering euthanizing her, because her body is still ok.
Dear Deborah,
My heart goes out to you as you face this emotional situation with Roxxie. I know you would never consider euthanasia out of convenience, but that is not how this seems to me. It is hard to assess quality of life, especially when most of the issues are mental. But I definitely believe that mental disease causes as much suffering (if not more) than physical disease. Saying goodbye may be the only way to offer your sweet girl peace and freedom from her daily struggles. I will attach links to other articles with more information and advice on how to know when it is the “right” time. I am praying for clarity and strength to navigate this difficult path. Bless you both. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
I don’t know what to do with my 15 year old Aussie, Emma. She started displaying signs of cognitive disorder in the fall and she’s been declining ever since. When she’s not sleeping she paces, pants and whines. Within the last couple of months she started soiling in the house and she’ll walk right through it, completely unaware of where she is or what she’s doing. We put her on fluoxetine a few months ago but it doesn’t seem to help ease her anxiety. I’m struggling to make “the decision” because she still has a strong appetite and she’s been the most loyal, kind, smart companion – it feels like a betrayal. I’ve been with her since the day she was born and I know I’ll never have another like her. I’ve heard dogs rarely die of natural causes – is that true? Are there other medications we should try first? Thank you.
Hi Mackenzie,
I understand how confusing it can be to really evaluate a dog’s quality of life. Especially when most of their troubles are mental instead of physical. It is true that a peaceful natural death is often not how things turn out. There may be other medications or supplements to try but without examining your dog myself, I can’t say for sure. Have you thought about using diapers or wraps to help with the house soiling? I will attach links to other articles with more information. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and Emma. Best wishes and bless you both.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
3. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Hello. I’m sitting up at 2:30am and have been watching my 14 yr old senior with is almost all the way blind and he has dementia pace around getting stuck in all corners of my bedroom. He is in great health besides those 2 things. I don’t like to see him like this. He gets anxiety all the time. He does still know me. We still play a little bit he constantly spins in circles. He’s been like this for about a year and a half. I have to work in the morning but I called off work. Luckily he just finally laid down. I have to line all around my bedroom with pillows or find something I can wrap around so he doesn’t get stuck again. I love him so much and can’t imagine having to put him down knowing he is in such good shape. No arthritis. All organs are great. I just don’t know what to do. My vet prescribed something for his ccd. He’s been on it for a few days. I’m hoping this may help. Not sure what naturally I can give to help him sleep at night. I’m so lost
Hi Jen,
I am sorry you are in this difficult situation with your senior guy. Battling mental disease in a beloved pup is so hard and emotional. Your boy is lucky to have you advocating for his health and well-being and taking such good care of him. I will attach links to other articles with more information that may offer advice on additional treatments to try. You can also discuss the possible use of melatonin with your vet. This could be a natural way to help your guy get some rest. It doesn’t work for every dog, but it could be the missing piece for your boy. Keeping you in my thoughts and wishing you both the best.
1. Marvelous Melatonin for Dogs
2. Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
3. Sundowners in Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
4. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
I just went through this 3 days ago…it was horrible..I will say there is a point we’re we feel like we waited too long..so as soon as she didn’t eat or drink the first day…we should have put her down but we didn’t and the next 2 days were ever worse…weekend….we were trying to get to monday to take her in but Sunday evening she started pacing rapidly slamming into walls and doors and breathing funny so we had to go to the emergency hospital….I would give anything to not have waited the 2 days…when she was gone she looked so peaceful and she hadnt. been that way for months….
Dear Trisha,
My heart aches for you with the recent loss of your pup. It is easy to feel guilty when looking back on how things happened but please don’t carry around the unnecessary burden of guilt over this. I would have made the same choice if faced with the same situation. I am glad your girl’s passing was peaceful and you were able to give her freedom from her struggles. May the memories of all the good times you shared bring comfort to your heart. Bless you. ♥
We find ourselves in this painful place, now, looking toward “when.” Our beautiful Boy, Bubba, was a rescue Deer Chihuahua Mix who came into our lives in Palm Springs in 2014. He had been hit by a truck, had been in a coma and had suffered some type of neurological event leading up to the time he joined our family. My husband has a background in rehab medicine and I was just a doting Dad – so we worked with him to get him healthy and functioning to his fullest potential. Over the years we have bonded and loved him, knowing full well that pets are only on loan to us for a short time in our lives. When we made the move from Palm Springs to Lisbon, Portugal in 2022, Bubba was front and center for the adventure, and had been adapting well. There have been changes in his behavior: He tires easily and sleeps a lot, He has begun to experience weakness in the legs that were injured in his misadventure with the truck. We can’t tell if he’s fully deaf, or is just not able to process the commands that once came so easily to him. But he’s still eating – not the same healthy amounts he’s been consuming, he still wants to go for a walk – tho a shortened loop is better than a long meandering stroll, and he is still making it outside to the balcony thru his doggy door and there have been no accidents inside. His sleep at night is restless, he can’t jump on the bed any more, so we’re there for that…and he’s become so loving and clingy with both of us. I know that he feels safe when we’re all in the house together – on the couch, in bed, in the kitchen – its familiar and comforting for him. We joke about who really saved who and I know that soon we will be making that decision to let him go across the rainbow bridge. I hear John Lennons “Beautiful Boy” when I think of him or hold him. I just don’t want him to suffer. Your article confirmed that we are doing and watching for the right things. Thank you so much – as difficult as this is, and as crazy making as his behavior can be at times, I still feel my life is so much more complete – and I’m treasuring, even more, every day that we all have together. Thank you.
Dear Timm,
My heart goes out to you as you navigate this difficult path with Bubba. Thank you for sharing his incredible story. He truly sounds like a once in a lifetime kind of pup. I am glad the article was helpful and allowed you to feel better prepared for what lies ahead. Make the most of every day you are gifted and give your sweet boy a hug for me. Bless you all. ♥
Hi. our beloved Cockapoo is 14 years old and has been on meds for his arthritis for the last 6 months, he is deaf but he’s physically doing well now but I do have to carry him up the stairs to bed. A few months ago, his aggression started towards my husband when trying to pick him up, wipe his bottom or even going near him. At times he loves him like he always did but can turn within 10 minutes. He has always been okay with me but he is now growling at our 3 adult sons, who have always adored him and they are so upset. He is always pleased to see them when they have been out but he’ll change and looks like a different dog, looks scared and on guard. He adores me and I know he can be protective. My husband thinks it’s dementia but he doesn’t exhibit the the other symptoms even though he sleeps a lot. I don’t want him to feel scared and the need to be aggressive and the upset it is causing.
Hi Nicola,
I am sorry you are experiencing this dramatic change in behavior with your senior guy. While this aggression could be early signs of dementia, it could also be symptoms of a more serious issue. Have you discussed these concerns with your veterinarian? They may offer to do some testing to rule out other problems first before suggesting a treatment. There could be a medication or supplement that would make a big difference in your sweet boy’s quality of life. I hope you can find the answers you need to ensure your dog is living his best life. Wishing you and your family the best for happier days ahead.
My8-year-old shepherd mix has not been doing well for at least 6 months now . We tested his thyroid and discovered it was low. The vet put him on medication for the thyroid and that is when the weight loss and pacing began. I recently went to another vet for a second opinion due to his pacing and blood tests came back with the same results, all looks good except for his low thyroid. We took him off the thyroid medication to see if it would help him gain weight and decrease the pacing, it has been well over a week and nothing has changed. If he is not sleeping he is pacing. He does stop long enough to eat and drink but then starts pacing again. He has run into walls and gotten stuck in closets and bedrooms. The next step is to test him for cancer but I am afraid that he has dementia. His pacing will not stop until I force him to lie down and at times that only works for a few minutes. I have started giving him trazodone while I am gone from the house and it seems to help him sleep but as soon as it wears off he is pacing again. I don’t want to let him go but he is a shell of a dog. He cannot leave the house and at this point, I am also afraid to leave the house because I am afraid that he will pace non-stop until I get home. He does sleep some during the night, but it is a restless sleep with him constantly getting up doing circles on the bed and with me comforting him to settle him. I guess that I am writing this because I need to know that if his cancer test comes back clear and I decide to let him go because of dementia I am not a bad person. This dog is my whole world, I love him with everything I have but the last few months have been extremely stressful and his quality of life is nothing like it used to be. I don’t believe that I will ever have my Rusty back. I just need to know that if I do let him go it was the right decision for him and not me. Thank you for taking the time to read this, my heart is just broken knowing that I cannot do anything to help him.
Dear Mindi,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision for Rusty. Each dog’s situation is different, and it is hard to know what his quality of life is like without examining him myself. From what you describe, it does sound like he is showing some mental decline. Sometimes saying goodbye is the most loving option and only way to give a beloved pup freedom from their struggles. Suffering from mental disease is just as bad, if not worse, than physical disease. You should not feel guilty for making a choice that is in Rusty’s best interest. If you have any lingering concerns, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your vet. They can do a quality-of-life exam and let you know if it is time to let go. Here is a link to another article with more information: Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
I am hopeful you will find the advice you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Praying for clarity and comfort for your heart.
My almost 18 year old Havanese has had dementia for four years now. In the beginning she had her days and nights mixed up but that settled down. She now sleeps a lot but when she’s awake she paces. She gets stuck between or behind things and sometimes cries. She never barks at anything. She continues to eat and drink and doesn’t appear to be in any discomfort . I’ve been struggling for months now and yesterday I thought I had decided to let her go but as she sleeps in my arms right now I’m confused. Your article was so helpful especially “is it living or existing”. She was a rescue at 8 and has brought us so much joy and I’m so happy we could give her a loving happy home. Thank you for your article. God Bless.
Dear Maria,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your senior girl. I am glad you found the article to be helpful and hope it brought you some peace. I will attach links to other article with additional information and great comments from other readers. Praying for your strength as you navigate this tough road ahead and wishing you comfort for your heart.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
Oh dear I know first hand what you are going through. My jack russell will be 18 in July and has had dementia for quite a few years. He still eats and drinks but poopies everywhere now and paces all day and all night. He always cries for me when he gets stuck behind things and I run to him. He used to sleep with me but he cannot anymore because he paces all night. He also has cushings and his back legs give out from under him and I end up carrying him around which is bad for my back because I have disc problems and osteo porosis. I am stressed out all the time and I love him so much. I know he needs to go to sleep but I cannot hold him through the process because my heart will break. I have been praying that the Lord will help me do this. God bless you. The Lord will help you also. I also rescued him when he was 6.
Dear Janet,
My heart goes out to you as you face this emotional decision for your senior guy. It is clear your sweet boy is dearly loved and that he has lived a good life. I pray you find the strength needed to face the tough road ahead. Wishing you comfort and peace. ♥
My baby girl, Sophie, is a 15 year old chihuahua. She has gone blind and deaf. She is showing signs of dementia. She still eats and drinks fine. Now all she does is sleep. When she’s not sleeping, she’s pacing around aimlessly. I try to get her to sit with me. Or lay with me. But she just wants to place. She is urinating in the house now. I had to make her stop sleeping in the bed because she would pee in the bed instead of getting down and going outside or to her pads anymore. She doesn’t play anymore. She’s doesn’t enjoy things she use to. She gets lost quiet a bit in the house. She doesn’t play with her brother anymore, I’m fancy she gets angry when he’s too close. Should I be considering options for her. I don’t want to do it too soon, but I don’t want to do it too late. I don’t want her to suffer at all, but I feel selfish if I keep her longer then she needs to be because my heart will break without her.
Dear Ashley,
My heart goes out to you with this difficult decision you are facing for Sophie. From what you describe, her quality of life sounds very diminished. I can’t imagine she is finding much joy in her days when she struggles with anxiety, confusion, incontinence, restlessness, lethargy, and aggression. I know you would never want to give up on her too soon, but that does not seem to be the situation you are in. Saying goodbye may be the most loving option and only way to give your sweet girl peace and rest. I hope you can find the advice you need to make the best choice for you and Sophie. Praying for your strength to navigate the tough road ahead. Bless you both. ♥
I have a 14yr old shin tzu. She still has energy but is unable to see and hear. She wonders around the house and has gotten stuck in corners and I had to help her get out. She bumps into things and constantly forgets if she has eaten or not. Even though, I feed her twice everyday. She sleeps more than she is awake and has thrown up at least once per day. I love on her and constantly have to wash her eyes but she seems like she is not getting any better. She sometimes just stares at me without seeing me and is it is heart breaking. I have considered euthanization not because I do not want to take care of her. I have considered it because I can see that she is in pain and is not herself. I love her and this is definitely a difficult decision.. She is my first dog.and I want to do what is right for her.
Dear Emily,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your senior girl. I agree that it sounds like her quality of life is declining and her mental state is poor. Saying goodbye may be the most loving option and only way to give her peace. I hope you can find the advice you need to face the tough road ahead. Praying for your strength and comfort. ♥
This sound just like my dog Ruby. She has taken to assaulting the water bowl and barking all the time.
Hard to get her to eat.
I know it’s time but it’s so hard.
Dianne
Dear Dianne,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision for Ruby. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Bless you both. ♥
Thanks for this article. I am really struggling with what to do with our dog. She is a beagle-boxer mix, and really a beautiful dog. She is only 9 years old but has been struggling with sundowners for over a year, and getting worse. She never sleeps through the night, pacing and scratching at our bedroom door. Sometimes she’ll jump on our bed and go to sleep, but often she’ll be shaking and acting very disoriented. Sometimes she does this during the day as well, shaking and getting lost in the corners or hiding in the back of a closet. She will frequently just stand in the room and bark her head off for seemingly no reason. And beagles already bark an awful lot.
She is not going potty in the house – yet. But if and when that starts my husband will lose it for sure. Her behavior is starting to seriously affect my marriage. My husband is being patient for now but it’s becoming more and more stressful. He really didn’t want another dog after our first one passed, but after I retired a year later, I wanted a dog. We’ve had her for 4 years and she’s always been quirky. It seems like my options are to put her down, or give her back to the rescue; they will take her back, and who knows what would happen to her then. She does seem to do much better when she is with other dogs. Our house sitter brings her own dog when she stays at our house. The dogs get along well and our dog seems to have far fewer problems during those times – although she’s very clingy and acutely anxious after we do return home.
I really don’t know what to do.
Dear Beth,
I am sorry you are in such a difficult situation with your senior girl. I wish I had some great advice or could tell you exactly what would be best. If your girl is struggling with daily confusion, anxiety, and lack of rest/sleep, her quality of life may be more negatively impacted than you realize. I highly recommend you talk to your vet about these concerns. There might be some medications or supplements that could drastically improve her mental status and behavioral problems. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choices for everyone involved. Praying for strength to navigate the hard road ahead.
I’m not sure what to do with our Mugsy. He’s a 13 year old terrier mutt, and hasn’t let us sleep a full night in almost 3 months. He paces in the middle of the night, gets stuck in the corner of our room until we can put him in bed, we realize he’s not really awake. Then he will wake again several times and pant heavily like he’s in pain. He pees in front of us in the house 2-3 times a week, and is so clingy. He sits on my feet as I try to get ready for work and howls even if I’m just trying to sleep in the next room. He still seems to know us, and he eats and drinks (too much). Trazadone, xanax, melatonin, Cbd, calming bites, we’ve tried it all. Nothing is working. My frustration turns to anger and then sadness. I know he does not know what he is doing but I’m so so tired. I don’t know when the right time is to say goodbye. He still seems okay but sleeps most of the day. The other stories here help but I don’t know what to do.
Dear Rachel,
I am so sorry you are in such a difficult situation with Mugsy. From what you describe, it sounds like he is really struggling and dealing with anxiety, confusion, sundowners/lack of sleep and rest. I know you don’t want to choose euthanasia out of convenience but that is not the position you are in. Your quality of life matters too! Caregiver’s fatigue is real and the burden of taking care of a senior dog with end stage dementia can be very heavy. When you are stressed and tired your beloved pup can feel these emotions and it can break the bond the two of you share. This is not fair for either of you. I honestly feel like saying goodbye may be the most loving option and only way to give Mugsy peace from his suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. I hope you can find the advice you need to make the best decision for you and your sweet boy. Praying for your strength and comfort.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
hello! these stories and comments have been very insightful, yet heartbreaking. my 17 year old shih-tzu has diminished vision due to age, KCS, previous ulcerations, and only having one eye after an enucleation a few years ago. she was already being very moody and grouchy with the other dogs and was having altercations with them a few years ago but after eye removal and it seemed like she pepped up and was feeling better. she had lost alot of weight from 17lbs to 13lbs within this time frame but her tone seems well and losing the weight seemed to also help with her limping as much from her arthritis but within the last year she has been more confused starting with barking at doors occasionally even though i would call her to me. fast forward to the past few months i have noticed that she paces the kitchen alot and the whole house actually. she seems very unaware of social interaction or cues from the other dogs. she is not aggressive anymore with them, yet they are constantly trying to fight with her just for walking by them. at night is worse with getting lost in the rooms. she will start barking for me to get her and sometimes will just be in standing in the middle of the room, be at a wall, corner, door, or even the trashcan. it has been getting worse up to the past 2weeks where she has fallen off the bed almost every night. sleeping alot more than usual. would sometimes greet me at the door but doesnt anymore. she has zero interest in anything other than treats/food she has trouble sensing where they are but sniffs around for food or i have to direct her while other times seems in the middle of eating her food she forgets she is eating and starts wandering off sniffing for more food. has even seemed to be more withdrawn from me not even really caring much for me to pet her. and i know she is declining but she still has moments of she is still aware of things. . seems to sleep well at night overall. i do worry about her not being happy or uncomfortable – of course the other dogs picking at her- i have a toddler and my time and energy is just focused into her. i feel guilty that i should be doing more and even considering putting her to sleep soon especially because of not having much time to focus on her, being frustrated with the house soiling, care, and even finances. i do quality of life assessments on her and im conflicted.. not sure if i should really consider doing this soon or waiting it out because i dont want to do anything too soon and its heart wrenching to think about. thank you in advance for any feedback.
Dear Jenn,
My heart goes out to you with the difficult situation you are in with your senior girl. Saying goodbye is so hard and often times not clear or straight forward. I do think your pup is nearing the end of her days and her quality of life sounds diminished. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I honestly think it is better to let go one day too early rather than wait one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and your girl. Wishing you strength to face this unknown path and comfort for your heart.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
I have multiple rescue dogs and Holly is no different. I came across her picture on the local shelter website. 18 years old and found as a stray. She has mammary masses, arthritis, partially blind, skin condition, UTI, and overall looks rickety. Her body shows that she is 18. The days kept going by and she was still on the website. So I made an appointment and brought her home. The first week was awful. The joy of bringing a new dog home wasn’t there. She paced and paced for hours in the backyard. But by the second week she learned where the patio door is so she can come and go to potty by herself. She is able to find the water and a couple different beds in the house. She wags her tail and gets more energy when the other dogs get excited.
BUT she paces constantly. She will sleep for maybe three hours max at a time before pacing some more and needing food. Food is the only thing that calms her and she will lay down again. She can be picky though and I’ve found baby food is what she likes. At night she will wake up every couple of hours, some nights every hour, and I take her out potty and she lays back down. By 430/530 am, after an exhausting night, she is up and won’t lay back down. I have her confined for safety and she will find a way to climb out of the area she’s in. Being confined causes her a lot of stress.
I have treated her for an ear infection, heart disease, and I’ve had her teeth cleaned. I have tried gabapentin but it only makes her lose function in her back legs. Doesnt make her sleep or rest.
I found this article as I sit here at 630am after getting very little sleep wondering whether I’m doing the right thing while she is pacing the house. We’ve been up since 5 and I’m already exhausted. She has gone to the restroom and I have fed her. I have tried laying her down on her bed and she will lay there with drowsy eyes and then she just bounced back up.
I just asked my vet for suggestions and we are trying trazadone at night but she’s still waking up a few times at night.
I just keep asking myself….is this quality of life not only for her but for me too? I’m tired all the time right now and stretched thin. The excessive pacing is exhausting to watch and I can’t imagine what it feels like on her old joints and bones.
I tell myself that she has learned stuff since I’ve brought her home, like finding the door to go outside and will follow me and wga her tail but, she isn’t interested in affection and there is the constant pacing and need for food every couple of hours.
Is this living or surviving? I just don’t know since I haven’t watched these changes happen since I’ve had her on my 7 weeks.
Dear Gemma,
My heart goes out to you with the difficult situation you are in with Holly. I am amazed at your mercy and willingness to offer a sweet old senior pup a loving home for the time she has left. From what you describe, it does sound like Holly may be just surviving and her quality of life is diminished. If I had to guess, the restless nights may be what caused her previous owner to abandon her. I feel like you will probably have to make a hard choice in the near future about when to say goodbye. I pray for your strength and comfort and hope when the time comes it will be clear. Thank you for the love you have shared with sweet Holly. Bless you both.
We have an 18 yr old lab that began developing dementia early last year. We have tried Trazadone, Bachs Rescue Remedy for Pets, supplements, Melatonin and others. Each worked for a short time but now nothing is working. She sleeps most of the day but by mid afternoon begins the barking/pacing . Sometimes the bark is almost like a yip/yelp sound but most times its an extremely loud “woof” Recently she has starting growling at whatever she “sees”, she paces most of the night (literally the barking/pacing goes on for hours), bumps into things, gets lost in corners, behind doors or stands there as others on here have described. She has falling down the steps twice in the past 2 months even though we have baby gates up. She was able to somehow push through them and by some miracle wasn’t injured. We are exhausted, our other pets are exhausted as we are up most of the night consistently now with having to work during the day. If we sleep 3 – 4 hours it’s a “good” night. A few months ago it would be a few nights a week we would be dealing with this but its every night now. As someone else stated it’s difficult to relax because there is no rhyme or reason to when the barking/pacing will begin/stop on any given day/night and her behavior startles/scares our other pets with the loud barking especially. She has been incontinent for years of urine but in the past 2 months she has been increasing incontinent with her bowls. We have washable pee pads and I am washing upwards of 10 loads a DAY because of how much she is going (mostly urine). . She use to like going outside, sitting on the porch with us or by herself for a few hours to enjoy the weather but has no interest in that anymore. She stays upstairs all the time now by her choice. If we can get her down the stairs and outside she wants right back in and right back upstairs. She would stay with us down stairs on the couch while we watched tv but has no interest in that either. She is not aggressive toward our other pets but she does not interact with them at all anymore. She will eat and drinks water but her interest level in both is not the same. She doesn’t mind if we hug her or kiss her head but she doesn’t want a lot of petting anymore Its like she has isolated herself. She doesn’t not appear to be in physical pain though it is harder for her to get up/down due to arthritis. She doesn’t have much stamina now.. We live in a very small house and she goes from one room to another (10 feet maybe) and will be panting.
My husband thinks we need to move ahead for her sake and ours with euthanasia. I am torn because I feel guilty as I don’t want the decision to be made out of exhaustion over the situation. But I don’t see things getting better either. Dementia is a such a cruel disease.
Thank you for “listening”
Dear Christina,
I am sorry your senior girl is suffering with end stage dementia. I can only imagine how difficult it is to continue caretaking for her each day and to watch her struggle. I know you don’t want to choose euthanasia out of convenience, but that is not the situation you are facing. From what you describe, your sweet girl’s quality of life is very poor. She spends each day dealing with anxiety and stress, cannot rest, is confused, isolated, and no longer finds joy in her day-to-day routine. I agree with your husband that saying goodbye may be the most loving option and the only way to give your beloved pup the peace and freedom she deserves. I hope you can find the advice you need to make the tough choices ahead. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you all.
We adopted our Tofu (samoyed) when he was 9 years old, with severe skin issues, hyperthyroidism and dry eye (KCS). He was jumping on and off sofa, was very playful and active. Over the past years his in osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia have gotten worse, but Tofu started to withdraw a bit, choosing to sleep outside than napping in our presence e.g when we are at home. Now, at 13yo he is blind, but navigates in our granny flat perfectly. Over the last 2 weeks I noticed him getting confused (e.g staring at the corner, not realising where my voice is coming from or where the food bowl is- we need to navigate him). When we leave for work/shopping etc we used to give him kong with peanut butter, so he instantly lied down and went for it. Now, he just stands and stares at it like he forgets what to do with it. He’s become more restless and he cannot settle when we leave for work, to that point that Tofu was pacing around the house for 3 hours once, before finally lying down (we have in house camera). Now he is on trazadone which helps a bit with that. He still has appetite (he’s always loved food) and 2 walks per day is a must and sometimes he does a bit of zoomies in the garden.
Me and my husband are going to Europe in May for 4 weeks to see our family. Two of my friends will stay with Tofu and will take care of him. But it is so daunting on me. What if he gets worse while we away? Suddenly deteriorates? I don’t want to put anyone in that situation, neither Tofu nor my friends. If Tofu deteriorates, I wanna be with him to say final goodbye.
I’m a vet nurse and I know how dementia works, I’ve seen pets with severe dementia, being deprived of dignity and quality of life, because owners were not ready to say goodbye. I see/ talk about euthanasia every day at work, but thinking that I will need to make that decision sooner than later for Tofu is devastating. It’s bearing on me so much recently,but I don’t want him to suffer and be unhappy.
Dear Maggie,
My heart aches for you and this difficult situation you are in with Tofu. Being in the veterinary field yourself can sometimes be a curse because we know far too much about all the “what ifs”. I wish I had some great advice or could tell you what was best. All I can offer is my sympathy and tell you that I’m praying for you and your sweet boy. It is clear your pup is dearly loved, and I am certain he knows. Wishing you strength to face this unknown path ahead and comfort for you both. Bless you. ♥
Thank you for a great article! I just left from putting my 16 year old Llsa Aspa down. She suffered from dementia and her days consisted of wandering aimlessly through the house. getting stuck in corners and crannies until she was tired. Our days had turned into trying to make sure she went out hourly and and cleaning urine. And trying to make sure she was comfortable when she needed the rest. I had tried 5 times to lay her to rest prior to today. My internal fight was guilt. Was I doing this because she was a handful Was I not honoring my commitment as a mom to her by not allowing her to get old as we all will. Should I have done more to accommodate this time in her life out of love. Was I killing her because she went through the phases of life. All these things burned my mind. Today we woke up to a cage full of urine and poop. She was covered in it. And bath times are so uncomfortable for her as he also had arthritis. But every morning this was becoming the norm. We would literally need to get up hourly to 2 hours throughout the night to avoid this. Today had to be the day, or else I would not have done it. We cleaned her up gave her a good smell good bath and headed tot he Vet. We are exhausted as we also run our own business that is taking much of our energy. Your article covered most of our feelings. And I appreciate it. Now I can start the healing process, and know that we made the best decision and not a selfish decision. But.. its still hard.
Dear Iris,
My heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of your sweet girl. I am glad you found the article to be comforting and let me say that I agree you made the right decision. Saying goodbye was a loving choice that offered your pup relief from her suffering. You went above and beyond to keep her as comfortable and happy as possible. I have no doubt she knew how much she was loved. I pray with time your heart will heal. May her memory live on and be a blessing in your life.
I’m struggling with what to do about my senior boy …he’s an English Bull Terrier, almost 11, who has exhibited rage in the last few weeks toward our other bully in the house, and last night he bit me on the ankle, in full on rage. He’s been changing alot in the last 3 years…sleeps 20 hrs a day, paces when he’s awake, stands and stares alot. We have to wake him to go out, and he is now losing weight…only gets up to interact if my daughter comes by, and then goes and stares at the wall. The other night he picked a fight with our other bully, then finished the fight at the wall…fighting the wall…I have never seen anything like that. So much rage. I picked him up and held him in my lap, and he was trembling and confused. When he bit me, he nearly knocked me down by shaking my leg. I never thought he’d turn on me, and I’ve never been afraid of him until now. I’m heartbroken…and I don’t want to make the decision that is coming.
Any advice would be welcomed.
Dear Dedra,
My heart aches for you and this tragic situation you are in with your senior boy. I know you don’t want to have to make the tough emotional decision to say goodbye, but it sounds like you already know it is probably necessary. Letting go may be the most loving option and only way to free your poor boy from his suffering and mental struggles. I hope you can find the strength and advice you need to face the difficult path ahead. Bless you. ♥
Thank you so much for this article. It’s very difficult to to experience this decline with our loved pets. Our pittie is 13 and not doing so well. He has bad allergies and has been on daily apoquel for about 7 years. It seems he’s no longer able to see or hear, and gets confused when he has to go out. He was standing at the kitchen sink cabinets to go out last night just standing there with his head near the door waiting and he gets confused on which side of the door will let him back in. He has weekly accidents in the house even though he goes out about every hour and is waking us up multiple times during the night to go out. My husband and I have discussed What to do but always say since he eats and drinks normal we just continue like this until he’s worse
Dear Jill,
I am sorry you are noticing a decline in your dog’s mental state. Dementia is very cruel and causes so many beloved dogs to struggle needlessly. I am glad you found the article to be helpful and informative. Hopefully it has given you the information you needed to make difficult choices when the time arises. Wishing you strength to face this unknown road ahead. Bless you.
Thank you for this wonderful article.
I have a sweet 13.5 year old collie mix that I rescued 13 years ago. During the pandemic, he became my hiking buddy. I continue to work from home and the idea of saying goodbye just grieves me.
He has been dealing with arthritis for 2 years, digestive issues for a year and an anal gland tumor since May. He has been declining in recent weeks– falling down, accidents in the house including in his sleep; getting confused; mostly deaf; and pacing if not sleeping.
My head knows it is time– my heart is broken over it. I am emotionally drained from it all- the accidents I have had to clean up; the worries about his future- he cannot tell me anymore that he needs to go. I assume due to dementia.
To make matters worse, we are going on vacation in 3 weeks and I am worried that he will continue to decline and that I will be out of the country if that happens. So hard- every other animal has had health issues like cancer where it was an easier decision to make
Going to the vet later today to have a discussion and probably make an appointment in the coming week.
Dear Kirsten,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision with your sweet boy. I can only imagine how emotional it must be to watch his condition steadily decline. It is clear from your words just how much you love him, and I am certain he knows. I think it is a good idea to have this discussion with your vet and allow them to assess his quality of life. Praying for comfort and strength for your heart. Bless you both. ♥
I have a 13 year old husky, Gnar, with dementia. it’s been about 10 months since we figured it out. his whole life Gnar has been extremely gentle, smart, independent, and loving. there are definitely still glimpses of his true personality and he can still walk 2+ miles a day. but the dementia progresses weekly and it is absolutely exhausting. he has started to nip out of excitement (mostly at me), poops in the house at least a few times a week, has forgotten all commands and I think his name, doesn’t recognize me sometimes… and the pacing is almost nonstop. he obsessively circles to the right, especially at night. I give him gabapentin and it helps sedate him enough to at least sleep a few hours. a few months ago I was resistant to giving him any meds for this, but now it’s a matter of us getting at least 2 hours of sleep a night. I have some support but it’s mostly me caring for him, and I have to be really strategic to even leave the house for a few hours.
2 weeks ago we moved out of an apartment and to a huge farm where he has free range. I thought it would help his quality of life but he has been extremely stressed, cannot remember where our front door is, and can’t seem to learn any new routines. I feel at a loss. ive had many break downs this week because of lack of sleep and nothing I do seems to help him..he doesn’t even really seek comfort from me at this point. he still enjoys food and is active, so it’s been hard to know what to do, but I’m reaching a breaking point for sure.
Dear Eva,
I am so sorry you are in this difficult situation with Gnar. It does sounds like his dementia has progressed to an end stage and he is really struggling. It is incredibly hard to know how bad things are when he physically seems to be ok. I do think mental disease can cause just as much suffering, if not more, than physical disease. I know you want to do what is best for your senior guy, but your quality of life matters too. Caregiver fatigue is real! Saying goodbye may be the most loving option and the only way to give Gnar relief from his mental decline. I always think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to face these emotional decisions ahead. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
I am so glad to have found this article and all the comments of other pet parents. Our Pepper (miniature Schnauzer) will be 13 in a couple of weeks and I am unsure of what to do. Last year I noticed her eyeball was swelling and found that she had cancer in her eye. She had surgery to remove it which worked very well, but we didn’t do a biopsy so don’t know if the cancer has gone into her brain. She has a bad cataract in the other eye so now is virtually blind and is almost completely deaf. She gets around pretty well and is eating and drinking normally. We had to put up barriers around our pool as she ended up in it 3 times. Thankfully our other dogs barked in a way that alerted me and I was able to get her out without any issues. The problem at this time is that she walks around the house not knowing where she is, goes outside every night at about 8:00pm and starts barking at nothing. It goes on and on. I get her back in and she goes right back out as soon as she can. My husband says that most likely she has Sundowners and after reading the descriptions it really fits. I have to keep the doggie door closed up to keep her inside at night or she would keep barking until the wee hours. I open it when I am completely sure that she has gone to sleep for the night so our other dogs can use it. The other issue is that she has been getting aggressive with our other dogs. In particular she follows our Schnoodle and the two of them get into it. I hate to have to pull them apart, but neither of them understand what’s happening and I have to do it. I also worry about my toy Schnauzer (who has no idea that she’s small 😊) getting into a fight with her. Little Teenie wouldn’t stand a chance. I wouldn’t want to consider euthanasia as a convenience for me, but wonder if it would be the most loving thing for Pepper. Thank you so much again for the article.
Dear Christine,
I am so sorry you are in such a difficult situation with Pepper. From what you describe, euthanasia would not be a convenience but rather a loving act of mercy. It sounds like your sweet girl spends most of her days and nights dealing with confusion, anxiety, and aggression. I am sure this is not the life either of you would choose for her. Saying goodbye may be the only way to give her peace and freedom from her struggles. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. I am hopeful you will find the advice you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. I’ll be keeping you and Pepper in my thoughts. Praying for comfort and strength.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
Our Chihuahua/terrier mix, Doug is 15.5 years old. We rescued him when he was 10, but he was sharp and spry even at that age. Over the past six months or so, he has been anxious every single night, pacing, whining to go to another room (we have baby gates up), then whining to come back to the room he was just in. If we let him roam the house, he will pee (even if he’s just been out) and will poop and eat it. He does this routine every single night now where he jumps off the couch, does the pacing/whining, then cries to come back on the couch, repeat x 100. It’s gotten to the point where nights are no longer enjoyable. We cannot rest after putting the kids to bed and working a full day. Instead, we’re following Doug around, trying to figure out what it is that he wants. We are frustrated and stressed, angry and annoyed, which makes me feel guilty. We love him so much, but it’s just become so unbearably irritating that my husband and I don’t know how much more we can take. I’d feel awful putting him down, but is he enjoying his life or is he always anxious and confused? I’m really not sure. We’ve tried medications from the vet (he’s on Prozac, trazadone, and gabapentin) and none of them have made a difference. I am at a loss.
Dear J,
My heart goes out to you with this difficult situation you are in with Doug. Unfortunately, what you are describing is very common with dogs suffering from Dementia. You are not alone. I do think the anguish caused by mental disease can be just as bad, if not worse, as the pain that comes with physical disease. Doug is not getting the rest he needs to keep his body functioning properly and the daily stress can take a toll as well. I don’t think euthanasia is a bad choice for your sweet boy. It may be the most loving option and only way to give him peace. Your quality of life matters too! Stress from being a caretaker can definitely impact the bond you share with Doug. You can feel the tension and he can too. This isn’t fair to either one of you. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Wishing you strength to face the difficult days ahead.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Sundowners in Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
4. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
I was just given/rescued a small 10lb yorkie/terrier mix that is 16 years old. I have now been told she has advanced dementia due to her behavior by a vet. She hasn’t gone outside to potty at all, she has been taken out every hour but never once has she gone; I now have her in diapers, she paces non-stop, and when outside she just walks the perimeter of the yard and never does any of her business. The rescue I got her from has washed their hands of her and suggested I put her down. I have only had her for a few days. I understand patience with her to see if things improve; I never expected her to have such an awful illness when I agreed to take her, she was given to me for free – yes I know a major red flag! I am beside myself and don’t want to make this decision; I asked the rescue to take her back but their response was she is the least of their worries.
Dear Michele,
I am so sorry you are facing this most difficult decision for this tiny girl. I know you don’t want to have to be the one to make this choice, but maybe this is why you found each other. She needed someone to love her enough to let go and offer her peace and rest. How are things today? I am praying for your strength and for clarity in the decision-making process. Your selflessness is to be admired. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
Thank you so much for this article. It brought me great comfort on a very difficult day. Our sweet 14-year-old maltipoo, Louis, has had these dementia symptoms for 3+ years, but they worsened a lot in the last year. We had many restless nights trying to comfort him as he dealt with bad anxiety, and in addition to the cognitive decline, he also had difficulty walking and standing. He needed 24/7 care and it was taking a toll on us all, but we happily sacrificed our time and well-being in order to keep him calm and happy. Two days ago, his anxiety reached new levels and he was barking, howling, and moaning nonstop, unless he managed to fall asleep. Nothing we did seemed to alleviate his stress and it was so painful to see him suffering like that. I know we did the right thing, as hard as it was, and your article really helps me to feel at peace with our decision. I will miss Louis so much, but I am grateful for our 14 wonderful years together.
Dear Sophie,
I am sorry for your loss of Louis. I know saying goodbye was heartbreaking, but what a blessing you were able to offer your sweet pup peace from his suffering. It is obvious he was well loved, and you did everything in your power to make sure he was happy and cared for. I can only imagine the wonderful memories you must have after spending 14 years together! I hope with time your heart will heal and those memories will bring you joy. I am glad you found some comfort in reading the article and I hope your comment will do this for others as well. Bless you.
This article was very helpful. I have a 15 year old male Collie, Boxer, German Shepard Mix named “Honda”. He is the family’s puppy and very close and dear to our hearts. Lately Honda has been pacing the house a lot especially at night and is whining continuously more and more and we take him out to go potty or show him love and affection and sometimes that just makes matters worse and we are up with him almost all night. We know that his time is near but we are at a crossroads with our decision. My husband ( who’s dog it actually is) does not want to put him down cause he hasn’t been able to spend much time with him with being gone the past 9 years so he feels like he has missed out on his life, I however having a medical nursing field in dementia ( worked in nursing homes the past 19 years) sees what this disease does to a human and can’t bear to make him suffer with these symptoms any more, it tears my heart to shreads thinking that we are being selfish for making him go through this pain and agony cause we don’t want to say goodbye to ” our child” So if you could please give me your advice in this matter asap I would greatly appreciate it so we don’t make him suffer anymore then he is right now if he is ready to g0. Thank you and God Bless.
Hi Victoria,
I am sorry you are in such a difficult situation with Honda. It sounds like you have already made peace with the decision to let go but your husband just isn’t there yet. I am not sure there is really anything I can say to help change his mind other than I agree with you. I truly think mental disease in dogs causes just as much suffering, if not more, than physical disease. I always try to err on the side of quality of life rather than quantity and would rather say goodbye one day too early instead of one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I will attach links to several other articles that may offer additional information and great advice from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to help make the best decision for everyone involved. Praying for your strength and comfort. Give Honda a big hug for me.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Sundowners in Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
4. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
thanks for tge article.
we are dealing with dementia with my 14 year old pug Zoey.
she is also deaf and blind. Recently she has had seizures, though brief are grand Mal types.
She is becoming more incontinent. we can let her outside and she will just stare and forget what to do. she will then come in and poop ir pee in front of us. almost every morning we have to clean out the kennel as she has slept in excrement.
I feel guilty because she eats and sleeps well but she’s not herself anymore. I am frustrated and sad. my husband and I are thinking it maybe time to let her go. I mostly agree but I hate feeling I am ending her life prematurely.
Lorna
Dear Lorna,
My heart goes out to you with this difficult situation you are in with Zoey. I agree that saying goodbye may be the most loving option and only way to give your sweet girl peace from her daily struggles. I think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. It is clear Zoey is dearly loved and I am certain she knows. I hope you can find the advice you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Wishing you strength to face the tough times ahead and comfort for your heart.
At a loss at what to do with our 15 year old yorkie, it appears that she has gone completely deaf and blind. She spends most of her time in her bed, the other times she is just walking around the house running into things. She doesn’t want stay on the couch and cuddle with us. She has accidents on the floor quite frequently. It doesn’t appear that she’s in any physical pain and she’s very much interested in eating and drinking. Parts of me thinks she’s not in any pain, keep her around and the other part of me thinks that she’s completely lost herself and her family; let her be free.
Dear Jordan,
That is such a tough situation. I understand your concern for your dog’s wellbeing and how difficult it is to truly assess her quality of life. I do think that mental disease can be just as bad, if not worse, than physical disease. It is not wrong to consider euthanasia in this specific instance. Sometimes saying goodbye is the only way to give a beloved pup peace and relief from their struggles. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your senior girl. Bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Thankyou. For your kind article
We have Fred a lurcher who we rescued when he was a year. He is now 15 and sleeps all day but not at night now
He is losing weight and nearly blind and cry’s at night
I have got up and am lying on my settee with him and he has settled
I think I will ask the vet to put him to sleep now. As we have tried anxiety drugs prescribed by the vet but they are not helping
He has been such a gentle and loving dog but sadly I think it is time to say goodbye
Dear Jan,
I am sorry Fred is struggling with dementia and nighttime anxiety. From what you describe, it does sound like saying goodbye may be the most loving option. I am glad the article was helpful and could offer some peace for your heart. Praying for your strength to face the difficult decisions ahead. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Our 15-year-old pug has every single dementia symptom you’ve listed here. She also has a spinal issue and her hind legs get stuck to where she cannot stand and needs assistance going potty. We’ve been looking into a wheelchair for her. She’s had epilepsy off and on for 10 years, had a very scary spell of back-to-back seizures in May, but responded well to medication, so that is under control at least. However, her environment has been shaken up lately and she’s not responding well at all. We adopted another dog in July, then moved into a house in December. We specifically chose a single-story house with a yard because she could no longer climb three flights of stairs to our former apartment, and we felt it would be easier on her to go outside in the new home. However, she’s been constantly confused for over a month now and is pooping every 2-3 hours. For the most part, she refuses to poop outside, even if we walk her for 45min-1hr. She is exclusively pooping in her bed. Most days, it’s 3-4 times, but there are days where she poops 6-7 times per day in her bed, She steps in her poop and tracks it around the house, so we’ve had to stop letting her on furniture and crate her when we’re not around. During the night, no matter what we do (walking her right before bed, feeding her earlier in the day, changing dog foods, etc.) she poops in her bed and sleeps in it. Lately, a newer behavior is that she obsessively licks the places where she’d previously pooped. She’s given herself giardia at least 3 or 4 times. If we find the poop in the house and clean it up, we’ll have to keep an eye on her because she tries to lick where the cleaning chemicals were sprayed. We have to give her baths every other day because the poop gets in her fur and the smell in our new house is unbearable, but that has caused me to develop a severe dog allergy (for the first time in my life) and I no longer can touch her without breaking out in hives. On top of this, her behavior has changed towards our new dog, and she is being aggressive, bullying the dog (which is smaller than she is), stealing our new dog’s food and bed, etc. We hope to start a family within the year, but I cannot imagine bringing a baby into this stressful environment. We know that her parents lived to be 18 years old, and we had truly hoped we could enjoy 2-3 more years with her. This is creating stress and overwhelm, and I just wonder about her quality of life. Her vet doesn’t think it’s time to euthanize yet, but I wonder if she’d be happier rehomed somewhere that she can get more hands-on care for a senior dog. I just don’t know of any solutions as it seems that nothing we’ve tried is working for her. It makes us feel like we’re failing her and we feel hopeless.
Dear Brittany,
My heart aches for you and this difficult situation you are in with your senior Pug. It can be very hard to truly assess quality of life when dealing with mental disease. I do think mental disease can cause as much suffering as physical disease, if not more. From what you describe, your girl is struggling daily with stress, obsessive behaviors, aggression, incontinence, and confusion. This does not sound like a happy and joyful life to me. You are not alone. Many in your situation are worried about choosing euthanasia because they don’t want it to be out of convenience, but sometimes letting go can be the most loving option. Your quality of life matters too! Caregiver fatigue is real, and your pup can feel the stress and tension in the house. It is in these situations that the bond between you and your beloved dog can become a bit broken. This isn’t fair for either one of you. Choosing to say goodbye is ok and I think the stress of rehoming might be very difficult for your sweet girl who is already so confused. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Praying for clarity and strength to face the days ahead. Bless you all. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Thank you for the article and for the comments. I feel very isolated and alone in dealing with this issue and it helps to read about others to know I’m not alone. My sweet girl Roxy is the love of my life. She’s a 14-year-old Border Collie that I rescued 13 years ago. Her and I have a very special bond as I’m 42 and single with no kids. She’s my kid. I would say about 2 years ago she started showing signs of cognitive decline. She would pace around the house, pant and shiver all the time. She started peeing in the house. as it progressed she would get stuck in corners, not recognize her food or water bowls, and she poops in the house and then walks circles in it and it gets everywhere. i have to bath her probably four to five times a week. it’s very stressful to me because I just got a new house and I feel like it’s getting ruined every day. I also have a really bad back from carrying her in and out of the bathtub. I was in an apartment building on the second floor before, and I had to carry her up and down the stairs for 2 years because her back legs are really bad. She has some type of arthritis or degenerative condition where sometimes she drags her back legs or has weakness. her balance is also pretty bad and she stumbles a lot. we used to go on walks but now we just walk around the yard at my house and sometimes that’s a struggle. unfortunately, it’s been really hard to find a good veterinarian to help me with this. there’s only one veterinarian in town that will even see me and it’s because they see my mother’s pets, and they allowed me to put my dog on her account. No other vets in the area are taking patients. Roxy is on Deramax for pain and arthritis, she also gets injections in her hips on a monthly basis and she gets laser treatments for her legs/spine weekly. I have anxiety meds for her but it made me uncomfortable to give them because it seems like it gave her an increased heart rate.
4 years ago, I had to put my cat down and it was a very stressful thing for me. every time I think of putting my dog down I have a panic attack and I’m terrified of going through that pain again. I know that they say the most humane thing to do is to be with your dog when they’re euthanized. I just don’t know how I can do that with my anxiety disorder, and I pray every night that she’ll peacefully pass in her sleep. I really don’t know what to do because after my cat was euthanized, i had a mental breakdown that lasted for a few years. I really don’t want to go down that road again but I don’t want to keep Roxy alive just for my own selfish reasons. at the same time I’m really stressed out all the time because I’m constantly caring for her like she’s an infant and I can’t go anywhere or do anything. It really is no win situation, and I feel really alone and heartbroken. I wish I had a good veterinarian that could help me make these difficult decisions. thank you for listening.
Dear Jamie,
My heart aches for you and this difficult situation you are in with Roxy. Please know that Roxy’s end of life journey does not have to look like everyone else’s just for it to be the “best” choice. If you cannot be in the room with Roxy because it would leave you with bad memories or negatively impact your mental state, then please don’t stay in the room. The best end of life experience is the one that leaves you comforted knowing your sweet girl is at peace. Saying goodbye is always sad and trying to find a way forward can be difficult and emotional. I highly recommend you take a look at the website for Lap of Love: https://www.lapoflove.com/
They are veterinarians that make house calls for hospice care and in home euthanasia. Even if you don’t want to say goodbye at your house, they can still help you decide what would make it easiest for you and Roxy and guide you through the process. There are also great resources on the website for dealing with grief. I am also going to attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I am praying for your strength as you navigate this tough path. Bless you and sweet Roxy. ♥
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Jamie,
Your message hit home to me, and I thank you for it because I know how difficult it is. My dog, Butch, is 17 years old. I rescued him as a puppy 16 years ago, and he is my baby. I also don’t have children. His cognitive decline started a little over a year ago and has gotten worse. This article has given me some solace to know that I am not alone and that the behaviors exhibited are all part of dementia. It’s heart breaking when he looks at me like a stranger, and nervously paces the house hours on end. I have him on Trazedone and Gabapetin to ease the severe Seperation anxiety he gets during the day, but his quality of life has left. I feel as though he running purely on adrenaline. Reading this article and the comments has truly helped me, and I thank everyone for their time to write them. It’s one of the hardest decisions of my life to know when to finally put him at rest.
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
I am sorry your senior guy is struggling with the effects of dementia. I am glad you found some comfort from the advice and experience of other readers. My heart goes out to you as you face the difficult choices ahead. Praying for your strength and peace for Butch. Give your sweet boy a hug for me. ♥
I really don’t know what to think. My 15 year old dachshund, Spookie, is no longer an enjoyable dog. She paces, whines, and licks the couch practically constantly. She poops and pees in the house every day, and recently has done so on our couch. Trazodone was effective for a time but now even with a double dose she wakes up 1-3 times every night and tries to get out of bed to pace around the bedroom. She has more than once kept me awake for hours a night. She doesn’t wag her tail at me or want to cuddle more often than not. She doesn’t listen to basic commands and has no interest in going on walks with the family and our other dogs. After having my son 5 months ago this has all gone from difficult to beyond frustrating and overwhelming. On the other hand she does seem excited to get food and has moments she wants to be in my lap and I am just afraid I want to put her down for my convenience and that I’m being selfish.
Dear Amy,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your senior pup. From what you describe, it sounds like your girl is suffering from advanced cognitive dysfunction/dementia. I know it can be hard to make decisions about quality of life when most of the issues are mental instead of physical. But I definitely think mental suffering can be just as bad, if not worse, than physical suffering. It is not wrong to consider euthanasia for your pup. With all you are dealing with, no vet would think you were making this decision purely out of convenience. With that being said, you have to think about your quality of life as well. In situations like this, the stress of being a caretaker can cause the bond between you and your pup to be broken. You can both feel this distance and it isn’t fair to either one of you. Offering Spookie peace and rest is a very loving and unselfish act. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
I’m so glad I came across this article and reading everyone’s comments we don’t feel so alone in this struggle. Our Roxy girl is 16.5 years old (golden retriever bichon mix) and has had both physical and mental decline in the last 2 years. She is on thyroid, a specialized kidney diet (and drinks a ton of water and throws up occasionally), pepsid, and takes melatonin with the occasional trazadone when the panting and pacing at night seem more severe. All that being said she can easily and willingly walk 2-3 miles with me and still pull me and gets mistaken for a much younger dog. I feel like this adds to our conflicted thoughts about her quality of life. She is for sure declining but because she can go like the energizer bunny it doesn’t mean she is doing well. The past few weeks she is sleeping by herself and is up panting and pacing 1-2 hours before she finally settles down and sleeps. To add to it she has another skin infection (think puncture wound) on the side of her head that we are treating with antibiotics to see if that closes it or if we need to sedate her and have it incised and stitched like one similar about 1.5 years ago. She is itching it so we have tried using the cone and that made her anxiety worse yesterday. We are supposed to leave in 6 weeks for Arizona for a month. She came with us last year and was awesome but I’m fearful that it will be too much for her this winter. I feel selfish for thinking about not taking her but also don’t want to change up her entire world knowing she is in cognitive decline and putting her through that. This sucks and is so so hard. I wish we could all attach photos of our beloved fur babies.
Dear Heather,
My heart goes out to you as you navigate this difficult time with Roxy. What a blessing to have spent over 16 years together! How are things going with treating the wound on the side of her head? Is laser treatment an option at your veterinary clinic? I am hopeful you will be able to determine the best course of action when it comes time to travel in a few weeks. Wishing you the best and praying for peace and comfort for sweet Roxy.
Thank you for your article. It helped me with my decision to “let my sweetie pie pie” go. I loved my Scott American Bulldog, Lexy more than words itself. She slept with me in my bed and was my constant companion for 10 years. I fostered her with her 8 puppies from our local Marine Base Animal Shelter in 2012 when she was 1 1/2. After reading about doggie dementia I began to rewind the last year and noticed that she was showing me so many signs that I never realized. She began having seizures 6 months ago and had a total of 12 before her dementia kicked in. But, her symptoms came on very fast and worse by the hour. I knew her days we limited when I noticed her changing so fast. She bagan peeing in the house weeks before and sundowning but I just assumed it was old age. Until the day she paced and bumped into walls for 10 hours straight, I decided that I loved her too much to make her suffer for me. I wished she’d just die in her sleep but could not bear her becoming so fearful and lost. She deserved better after all those faithful years. It’s been 2 weeks since I let her go and it has been so painful. I cry often and know it will just take time. But, luckily I took video of her last days to remember what she was going through and when I view them it helps me remember that I did what was best for HER. I remember saying to her, “I love you, Lexy and I wish I could go as easy, with you”. It’s not easy being without her but I try to remind myself that our beloved dogs lifespan is much shorter than a humans. And as a 88 lb dog hers was in the 10-12 yr range. Having seizures for 6 months, urinary infections, kidney problems and prior tumors removed in recent years; I knew in my heart that there were no more options to keep her alive. As a shelter dog who had puppies in the shelter, she had always remained a fearful dog and her most comfortable spot was always right next to me. I could no longer bear to watch her cry out of confusion and knew it was the right time to let her go because I loved her, that much. It’s never easy and I still miss her daily. May we all rest in peace someday, as I know my Lexy is now. Until we meet again my love, I will love you forever.
Dear Kathy,
This is such a beautiful tribute to your sweet girl. It is clear that Lexy was a once in a lifetime kind of pup and very well loved. I have no doubt she knew how much you cared for her, and her life was better just for sharing it with you. Thank you for being willing to share you experience. Your words will offer comfort to others in a similar situation. May Lexy’s memory continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
I just lost my Toby on November 27 2022. He has been struggling with Cushing’s disease and has been medicated with vetoryl. He was diagnosed 1yr and 6months ago. They adjusted his meds because in May of 2022 he started losing weight. Then in September 2022 he started being distant. Getting lost in house, standing in corners and not knowing who we were anymore. He took his last breaths in my arms November 27 SUNDAY NIGHT 2022. HE WAS 11 1/2 YRS. OLD. I AM SO BESIDE myself. I miss him so much. I feel ever since he started taking Vetoryl he went down hill. I hope the meds. did not kill him. I have so much pain and can’t sleep so far for 3 days. From May of 2022 to November 2022 he just lost every ounce of quality of life. Someone please help
Dear Lisa,
My heart aches for you and your recent loss of Toby. Hopefully I can give you some peace of mind about the changes you saw over the last 6 months. In my experience, what you are describing sounds like canine cognitive dysfunction and not side effects of Vetoryl. I think you did the right thing by continuing to medicate Toby for his Cushing’s disease. This probably gave you more time with him than you realize. I hope with time you will be comforted knowing you did everything you could for your sweet boy and allow yourself some grace. May Toby’s memory be a blessing. ♥
we have a 15 year old Border who also is on Vetoryl. he has had cushings for at least 10 years. he has started pacing, the odd accident in the house and sleeping a lot. the biggest problem is no interest at all in food. we recently had surgery on him for 13 teeth to be removed but it made no difference to his appetite. we now have to puree his food and with a rubber spoon put it in his mouth and then he will swallow it. This is the only way to get his medication in him. it’s very sad but the only way to keep him alive.
Dear Bev,
I am sorry you are in such a difficult situation with your senior guy. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep him happy and comfortable. It is always ok to have your vet do a quality-of-life evaluation and let you know if your pup is nearing the end of his days. Sometimes saying goodbye is the only way to prevent suffering and offer a beloved companion peace and rest. I hope it will be clear when it is time to make tough decisions. Praying for your strength and bless you both.
We have a senior sharpei/chow mix. Over the last year, he has experienced bad anxiety that comes in the form of pacing and panting. For background, he had 3 vestibular episodes between 2020 to 2022. The most recent episode in Feb 2022, he developed this anxiety.
After many vet visits, we aren’t sure if it’s pure anxiety, a tumor or dementia or possibly a mix of all 3. He was on Trazadone for 6 months and it worked like a miracle originally. However, we think he built up a tolerance to it since he was getting it daily. He also gets melatonin at night which still seems to help him sleep.
Any slight change in routine, he gets bent out of shape pacing and panting. Ignoring him does not work. Trying to soothe him does not work. His anxiety has such a hair trigger response that any slight change seems to set it off.
For example, he does not seem to like when we are home during the day anymore unless we stick to our regular work day routine. If we stay home on the weekend like today, it throws him into a panic. If he ends up falling asleep in a different room during the day and we happen to in that room and he notices, he shoots up and starts panting. When we leave the house, he ends up going to nap but we can’t just leave the house everytime he paces/pants. The weird thing is, he wants us home/near him at night. He doesn’t like to cuddle anymore but he likes when we sit on the couch with him. He won’t do this during the day though. If we are not on the couch at night, he pants.
We have had serious conversations about quality of life but it’s hard to know what’s right because he still eats and drinks, uses the bathroom and he gets excited to go on walks. It’s just these fits of anxiety stemming from whatever is going on in his brain that is hard to deal with.
We looked into Anipryl and the reviews seem promising. However, I don’t think the Anipryl will work. I’m 38 weeks pregnant, getting induced next week and not anticipating him reacting well to the huge change in routine which is the baby. My husband is so attached to him (I am too) but seeing him breakdown today and cry hurt me. He wants to try Anipryl and give it a month. He wants him to meet the baby. He wants to exhaust all options. Anipryl seems to be our last resort, but a part of me feels like we should put our boy out of his anxiety before the baby is here and his world is turned upside down.
I feel conflicted. Sometimes I want to “pull the plug” and put him out of his constant state of hair trigger anxiety before the baby gets here. Another part of me feels like I’ll regret not trying the Anipryl and not seeing how he is with the baby home.
I’m nervous because ultimately I’ll be the one dealing with the brunt of the anxiety. I have 12 weeks maternity leave so if we give it a month, am I going to regret having that first month with my baby be so extremely stress filled? Or will I regret it more not knowing if Anipryl will do anything to alleviate his panting/anxiety?
To be honest, if my husband agreed to euthanasia tomorrow I would do it. I’ve cried so much over this. I don’t WANT to say goodbye to my boy but I also don’t want to force a decision on my husband knowing how much he hurts as well.
Dear Nat,
This is such heavy stuff and my heart aches for you. It is easy to recommend things when you’re not the one living with the stress daily. I know you don’t want to give up on your boy too soon and your husbands feelings and emotions are playing a big role in this decision-making process. With that being said, I am worried about you over the next few weeks. Bringing a baby home is the BIGGEST thing. You have to put some priority on your quality of life. The Anipryl may help, but for how long no one can know for sure. I will attach some links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. My best advice is to make arrangements with an in-home euthanasia vet. If you have the details figured out, then you can call whenever you decide the time is right. This way if you want to give it some time but decide in a few weeks that you need to say goodbye, it will be a smooth and peaceful process for everyone involved. I am praying so hard for you and your family. Bless you. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
4. In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers to 12 FAQs
I am so lucky to found your article.
My Kiwi is 14y and has dimentia.
She also has several problems with her organs so she takes 6 pills twice a day. Her physical problems are under controlled though dimentia is quite severe.
She needs help to eat and drink, wanders in circles all day long, whines through the night, steps on her own pee and feces and I am not sure if she recognizes me anymore. It is so heartbreaking to see her like that.
I know that Kiwi’s QOL is extremely low. I feel like I am forcing her to live by giving her tons of pills and while I am doing that, dimentia is getting worse.
Luckily, my vet understands my situation and willing to do the procedure.
When I am taking care of her in the midnight, I tell myself ‘yes this is the time’ but when Kiwi stares at me with her big black eyes or when she sits on my lap for the first time in a while, my decision starts to wobble. Am I making this decision for me or her?
I am going back and forth literally every minute.
Hi,
I understand how difficult this decision can be. The fact that you are truly taking an honest look at Kiwi’s quality of life says this decision is not about you. You are making the most unselfish and loving choice to give your sweet pup peace and rest from her struggles. I agree that Kiwi’s mental health is poor and dealing with this every day has to be tough on both of you. I am glad you have a vet that has partnered with you to make the best choices for everyone involved. Praying for your heart to be comforted and for strength to travel this emotional journey. Bless you both.
My sweet 15 yr old Schnoodle, Sam, stopped going in his crate last year and now paces constantly, sleeps most of the time and is starting to poop in house even though he was just outside. He won’t cuddle , won’t play , doesn’t want to be picked up and totally freaks out if we try to bathe him. When he is not sleeping he just paces and goes in circles for at least an hour at a time. The he just stands staring like he doesn’t know where he is. I know he should be put down but it is breaking my heart ! We had to have our Aussie put down because of his health a couple months ago and it was awful but there was no choice then. Right now he is just standing in his water bowl. My daughter wants me to make appointment with vet next week. This is so hard!
Dear Carolyn,
My heart aches for you as you face this most difficult decision about Sam’s quality of life. It sounds like you know saying goodbye is the only way to give him peace and rest but letting go is more than you can bear. I hope your heart will find comfort knowing you did not fail him and gave him a life full of love and happiness. Praying for your strength. Bless you both.
Dr Buzby
I cried reading this article and everyone’s comments. It’s comforting to know so many dog owners are going through the same thing. Gabapentin and trazodone are no longer working for my 16 year old Shihtzu which is the only thing that helped both of us sleep at least a couple hours. You would never think anything was wrong with her. She looks and acts healthy. But she paces, stares at walls, circles and circles around trying to lay down, is disoriented and confused. It’s become overwhelming for me to watch.
The worst pet is family members not understanding how difficult it is to deal with a dog that has dementia. I’m caring for her by myself. She depends solely on me. She looks for me constantly. I’ve isolated and limit my time with friends or caring for myself because I am so focused on making sure my dog is comforted everyday.
I’m embarrassed to say anything to my vet because they know how much I do for her. They would be shocked that I pray each day for her to go to doggy heaven. I feel like I’m crying out for help and no one understands how much of a burden she is.
Dear Emily,
My heart goes out to you with this difficult situation you are in with your senior girl. Being the sole full time care giver to a dog with dementia is extremely stressful and emotional. It is hard to evaluate just how much your pup is struggling when the issues are mostly mental instead of physical. With that being said, I am a firm believer that mental disease can cause just as much suffering (if not more) as physical disease. It is not wrong for you to be considering euthanasia. It might be the most loving option at this point. Your quality of life matters too! I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and your sweet girl. Bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
We just put our 17.5 year old Miniature Schnauzer boy down today. He has been dealing with CCD for about 2 years or so, but in last week he had progressed to point where he is lost in his backyard seemed unsure why he is out there. Gets lost coming into patio to come back in. In last month he list interest in his Kong and when a treat is dropped in front of him he can’t find it. In past week he began stumbling his back legs could not support him and he shook a lot. At this time he was not as interested in eating, choosing to sleep almost 20 hours a day. It was at this point we finally realized that he needed release from this.now he’ll on earth. While we are devastated we can rest.knowing our baby Bandit is no longer suffering. Thank you for this site, it helps to express the guilt and remorse at ending a beloved’s life.
Dear Tim,
I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to Bandit yesterday. It sounds like you made the best choice to give your sweet boy freedom from his suffering and struggles. Thank you for being willing to share your story with our readers as it might help someone else in a similar situation. I hope your heart will be comforted knowing Bandit was well loved and lived a full life. May his memory be a blessing that stays with you always.
This hits home. My pup who will turn 17yrs old on 12/8 has CCD. He is the last of our 3 dogs. We’ve had him for 17 of our 19yrs of marriage. My littles ones have never known life without him. We noticed that he was a little confused, pacing more and occasionally having accidents in the house after we lost our last pup in March of 2021. He lost his pack. Things continued to get worse. Then we did a long distance move with him early this year. He can’t get in or out of the house by himself because of the steps. But he moves around the yard fine. He does sometimes have a difficult time getting up, but always manages. He paces so much at night, even if we give him trazadone and we typically have to let him outside at least twice at night. He is having lots of accidents inside. And he is now stepping in it and tracking it through the house.
But he seems he seems happy. Loves attention and treats. Will just randomly prance if he gets excited. (not often, but occasionally)
I just don’t know. I’m exhausted from being up at night so much. the accidents in the house are a lot to manage. And I can’t figure out if I’m being selfish wondering if it is time or if I’m hanging onto my dog because I don’t want to let him go.
Dear Sarah,
My heart goes out to you and this difficult situation you are in with your senior pup. Making decisions about quality of life are so hard, especially when things just aren’t clear and there is no right or wrong answer. I will attach links to other articles with additional information and great advice from other readers. I know you want to do right by your sweet boy, but please make sure you consider your quality of life as well. I am praying for clarity and comfort for your heart. Bless you.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Your comment really hit home about how you revolve your life around your dog! I can no long stay out past 7:30/8:00 or I know my dog will have a panic attack. She is so routine that if I don’t put her to bed by that time she gets incredibly disoriented.
I made plans for the entire summer to travel which means I have to help her cross the rainbow bridge by then. It’s hard because she’s physically great but gets stuck everywhere, paces, poops/pees all over the place when I’m at work and has just started to bark when she’s stressed.
I’m not even sure she’ll make it to summer! I quietly hope that she passes in her sleep as well. It’s so heartbreaking to see my amazing dog deteriorate. Even in this state, I love her so much!
Dear Maureen,
My heart aches for you and this difficult decision you are facing. It sounds like your senior girl is really struggling and her daily life is less than ideal. I know saying goodbye will be emotional and her loss will cause heartbreak. But what a gift to be able to offer her peace and rest. I am hopeful you will find the advice you need to make the best choice for you and your sweet girl. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you both.
Our 14 year old boxer had to have his spleen removed about 3 years ago in an emergency surgery. He recovered well but it did seem to take a toll on his energy level and ability to hike long distances.. Over the past year and a half he seems to have declined more but still wants to go for short walks.
In the past six months the signs of progressive mental issues seems to be getting stronger. We have had to be very careful with his diet and make him rice and ground lean ground turkey in large batches and freeze it. He had some trouble with choking even on that so we blend his meals. He eats 6 small meals a day and knows exactly when it’s time. He starts panting heavily if he doesn’t get them right on time.
He does have arthritis and his back legs drag quite a bit but especially more later in the day as he gets tired. He is on some fairly high doses of gabapentin to help with that along with controlling seizures he was occasionally having.
Right now he has sometimes, day long panting spells. He gets lost in the house and wanders and paces a lot but it’s worse in the afternoon and evening.
The one thing we could rely on was that he would go to bed and sleep through the night. That’s now changed. He gets up and circles and pants frequently during the night. It’s gotten to the point that no one is getting sleep. Finally he will dose off in the early morning and sleep.
I’ve read to about melatonin and will talk to our vet. We are so heartbroken because we know it’s getting worse.- and it seems like it’s progressing more quickly in the past few weeks.
I cared for my dad as he declined and died from dementia. I know we are going through similar things right now. It’s sad and scary. The hardest part is knowing when it’s time to say good bye and not waiting too long until he suffers. Many times I think he’s in more pain and suffering more than he lets on.
Dear Christian,
I am sorry your senior guy is declining fast and struggling with the effects of dementia. I understand how hard it is to make decisions about quality of life and when to say goodbye. My heart goes out to you as you work through these emotional choices. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you and your sweet boy.
I truly cannot thank this site enough! My dog, Buster, was a rescue and we think he is between 14 and 16 now…. But he isn’t himself anymore and he falls all the time. I clean up poo and pee 2 or 3 times a day. And I literally pick him up and place him in his bed so that he will just relax. I knew he had doggie dementia but I don’t think I thought I would need to put him down because of it. Now I get it.. he is not living a good life anymore. I’m now seeing that but wow am I going to miss my buddy. This sucks. Thank you
Dear Rachel,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision for Buster. I know trying to decide when to say goodbye is very difficult and emotional. I am glad the article was helpful and gave you some insight and comfort. My heart goes out to you as you spend these last days with your sweet boy. Bless you both.
My sweet Pinky is 16.5 years old. He’s a toy poodle mix. I noticed his decline last year in the fall 2021. He was drinking more water and was more interested in food which was a surprise to me. But his hind legs were very weak. I noticed he lost interest in playing or going out. He slowly lost his vision and hearing around 2020, so he no longer paid attention to anyone that came home. He doesn’t bark anymore either. He was soiling himself in bed and all over the house, peeing and pooping inside multiple times a day. My worries increased when i noticed he lost 2-3lbs between December 2021 and April 2022 which was a lot since he was only 13 pounds and he was eating more than he did as an adult. I took him to his vet but they never found anything significant. By this time, his dementia got worse. he was going in constant circles, bumping into things, getting “stuck” in corners, he doesn’t get excited when he smells my parents or myself. His hind legs were getting worse and i noticed he was losing balance and dragging his back legs sometimes. I took him to the vet in July 2022 and they said he had a neurological issue and it was only going to get worse. Since July, I have been struggling to come with terms with saying goodbye, but i’ve noticed an increase in struggle with walking, defecating or getting into bed alone. I wonder if i have more time with him, but like the article states, he is not the puppy he used to be and is just existing at this point, it’s not fair to him. My family and i made the difficult decision to put him down in two days, and I don’t think I’ve ever experienced so much pain. he has been with me since i was 8 y/o but i know he’ll be at rest which is a comfort. Thank you for opening up this discussion.
Dear Karina,
I am sorry your senior guy’s health is declining so rapidly and he is struggling. From what you described, saying goodbye sounds like the most loving option and the only way to give him peace and rest. My heart goes out to you as you spend these last days with Pinky. I hope his transition will be smooth and peaceful. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you both.
Your story is exactly as if I had told one of me and my dog, 16yr old Yorkie, Hustler. Pretty much the same medical complications, same timeline. We are saying our final earthly goodbyes to him tomorrow. I have been second guessing whether I’m making the right decision, but then I’m reminded that his condition is chronic and will just get worse, and so I take comfort in the fact that I can help him stop the suffering and reach that eternal peace, despite how difficult the thought of saying goodbye will be. The strong similarities to your story reaffirms this.
Sending my love, thoughts, and prayers to you, your family, and especially your beloved Pinky. it sounds like you have provided him a wonderful long life, and you should be proud of that. I am sure Pinky is so proud of you and thankful that you were his human all these years.
Thank you all for sharing your stories, bringing comfort, reassurance, and support during such a difficult time.
Dear Janice,
My heart aches for you as you find a way to continue on without Hustler. I hope his passing was peaceful and he was comforted by your presence. I have no doubt he knew how much he was loved. May his memory be a blessing that stays with you forever. ♥
My 15 yo puggle has dementia, is deaf, and has recently started having seizures. He also was diagnosed with EPI two years ago. Before this, he was the epitome of health and was the most loving dog. Now he is almost feral. All he does is bark incessantly at us, pants non-stop, is incontinent, and does not want to be touched, yet, follows me everywhere I go. His seizures have increased and we can no longer leave him in the house alone. We’ve come home to poo and pee and blood all over the house because he’s had a seizure, has defecated, then has spent the post-ictal phase stepping in his poo and pacing all over the house for 3 hours. We are at our wits end. If we crate him while we’re gone, he barks incessantly. But if we let him have the run of the house we risk him having a seizure and messing up the whole house. We can’t train or re-train him because of his dementia. I got pee pads but I can’t train him to use them because he never had them in the past and he can’t learn how to use them now. So instead, he just goes on our rugs and our place smells like a kennel now. The sad part is that physically he is fine. He can still go on a 45 minute walk no problem, he’s eating fine and other than his mental capacity and seizures, he’s in good condition. I feel like we can’t put him down yet because physically he’s still fine, but I’m not sure how much longer we can deal with his mental decline. I wish we didn’t have to work and could just be with him 24/7 but we can’t and he is really impeding our life now. This is such a horrible way for him to go. Our last dog had a massive stroke and never woke up so we knew it was time for him to go, but it’s so much harder to decided for our current dog. I wish he would just die in his sleep and make the decision for us. I love him more than anything but this is killing us. 🙁
Dear Sharon,
I am so sorry your boy is suffering from mental decline. You mentioned that he is physically healthy and that makes considering euthanasia difficult. I understand, but also think the severity of suffering from mental disease is just as bad, if not worse, than the suffering caused by physical disease. I am not sure his quality of life is very good with the daily accidents, seizures, anxiety, and confusion. Not to mention your quality of life matters too and I have no doubt your sweet boy can tell you are stressed and frustrated. Here is a link to another article with great information and links to additional articles that offer good advice: Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your pup. It is hard to think that sometimes saying goodbye can be the most loving choice and the only way to offer a beloved dog peace and rest. Praying for clarity and strength to face each day. Bless you both.
My elderly Jack who is now at least 16 years of age but may be a few years older since he was adopted as a stray started experiencing pain in his neck and torso up to two years ago then when he started having seizures over a year ago he was diagnosed with a brain tumor which was under control with anti-seizure medication and steroids but it was a very tough journey all along as he was stressed out much of the time as described in this article and now it has reached the point where he doesnt even appear self-aware.
The vet finally told me last week I had to start thinking about letting him go and a second vet said the same thing this morning.
I know it is best for him to let him go with euthanasia but I just hate the finality of it all. I know that dogs are bonded with their owners and have dreams and memories but live in the moment so he is ready to go but harder for me.. This article helped me to realize that letting him go is the right thing to do for both of us.
Dear Tony,
I am so sorry Jack’s physical and mental health is declining. From what you are describing, it does sound like he is nearing the end of his days and saying goodbye may be the most loving option. I am glad the article was helpful in making such a difficult decision. I hope you can make the most of the time you have left together. Praying for comfort and clarity as you go through this emotional process. Bless you both.
My 14/15 yr old rescue pup was diagnosed a few months ago with canine dementia, which explained a lot of ongoing behavior. I realized that it explained her evening anxiety and wish to go outside again and again for hours, until seeming to drop of to sleep from tiredness that started noticing last Fall. She would seem to not be able to quite get onto a dog bed, with her rear hanging off, again and again. She’d started getting herself stuck in a pantry, walking in to the back and just standing there. Or taking a hard route by a rocking chair and ending up stuck in the back side of it. She hasn’t seemed to be able to hear for at least a couple of years (was glad she knew some hand signals), plus, has had a deteriorating back leg issue from having a chipped bone removed from her “ankle” years ago…had returned to hiking and dog agility post surgery but over the years increased issues have reduced her mobility, and she’s been on anti-inflammation meds and pain meds for some time. Thought her increasing balance issues were related to that. She was requiring encouragement multiple times a day to eat, but would then gobble up a bowl of food. So started her on selegiline a few months ago, and for awhile she got back to eating meals 2xday. But slowly she’s been declining,and now is not eating properly, just some bits and pieces throughout the day. She is both more anxious and seems more tired. The panting is heart breaking. She has sometimes pooped inside the house for some time now.. But now she hasn’t gone in over 24 hrs, and I have finally got it together to make an appointment tomorrow afternoon to bring her peace. She’s apparently a cattle dog mix (some suggestion she might have some keltie in her but not tested). Her smartness and quick learning of returning a ball when I first brought her home 12 hrs ago got me into dog agility for the first time, and she’s been a perfect 1st dog to do that. And did well until the leg issue began to be more obvious. She’s been the best ever hiking partner as well, and while not exactly liking to ride in a car, was always eager to go wherever I was going so would join me. I’m heartbroken, and indeed find the progression of this disease so difficult to decide what’s best for her. Reading both postings and responses has reminded me how little quality of life she has. A friend asked awhile back does she wag her tail, and I hardly ever see that (except maybe leading her outside, bummed she’s not strong enough to take a walk), but her tail is pretty much tucked in. This is tough.
Dear Mary,
My heart aches for you as you face this most difficult decision for your sweet girl. From what you describe, it does sound like saying goodbye may be the most loving option. What a blessing you two were brought into each other’s lives 12 years ago. When the time comes, I hope your pup’s transition is smooth and peaceful. I have no doubt she knows how much you love her. May her memory stay with you for the rest of your life. Bless you both. ♥
Hi there.
I have a 10 yr old Pug named Bella. She has just recently started soiling in the house but it’s as if she doesn’t realize she’s doing it until she’s already done it and then she gets upset. The vet has ruled out any health conditions or incontinence and has said it is most likely dementia. I don’t know what to do. Besides that she is “like a puppy”. Is it possible for her to have dementia without any of the other “symptoms”? I’m at a loss. I don’t know if she’s suffering or if she’s going to get worse.
Hi Melissa,
I am sorry Bella is struggling with these new urinary accidents. Since I haven’t examined her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. With that being said, a regression in house training can be one of the first symptoms of dementia. Due to Bella’s age and overall good physical health, dementia/canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is high on the list of possible causes. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information. It doesn’t sound like your sweet girl is suffering but if she does have CCD, then this will progress and eventually cause a mental decline. There are supplements and treatments that can slow the progression and help maintain your pup’s quality of life. You may even want to talk to a holistic or integrative vet to see if they have ideas of ways treat Bella that may not be common in general practice. I hope you can find the right combination of things to keep your sweet girl happy and living her best life. Best wishes to you both!
1. Could Your Dog Have Dementia? Find Out With This Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Checklist
2. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
3. Selegiline for Dogs: A Helpful Medication for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
Seanie is approximately 11/12 years old. He is a maltipoo mix & very special, I mean, aren’t they all? He was rescued from a horrible puppy mill situation. He was so matted when he was rescued, they believe he has nerve damage to his skin. He came to me about 6 months after that rescue back in 2014, as a last resort because I took another dog from that rescue & he really blossomed. He’s not a dog that has ever been cuddly, his “best life” doesn’t look like my other 4 dogs. His best life is playing with his fur brothers & sisters & going on walks, laying out in the grass just smiling away under the sunshine. He will let me groom him & put on his harness for walking, but he doesn’t like to be touched, he never has, I don’t think he ever got that love & socialization early on (they believe he was 2-3 when rescued). Several months ago he started crawling on my lap, unexpectedly. Still not wanting to be petted, just wanting to be on me. Then he started waking up numerous times each night. He does have very arthritic knees & initially I thought maybe it was the pain, but he has been diagnosed with CCD. Because his life doesn’t look like a “normal” dog, I am really struggling. At this point, he follows me everywhere, and is very confused & doesn’t know what to do if I try to walk by him in the entry way of a door, since he doesn’t like to be touched, it’s very hard for me to comfort him. My vet prescribed gabapentin and it does help him sleep at night, most nights & I watch him on the cameras during the day. I feel like the time may be coming because his quality of life has definitely diminished, but it is really hard with him.
Dear Michelle,
My heart goes out to you as you try to make these difficult decisions about Seanie’s quality of life. He is a very lucky pup to have found you so many years ago. Bless you for being willing to give him the second chance at a loving home which he deserved. CCD is such a tough disease. It is hard to evaluate suffering from mental issues when the physical body is still functioning well. I honestly believe there is no wrong answer in this case. If you wanted to give him some more time, that would be ok. And if you decided it was best to say goodbye, Seanie would gain the peace and rest he has earned after a lifetime of loyalty and devotion. I hope you can find the answers and advice you need to make the best decision for you both. Praying for comfort and clarity.
Thank you. We’ve got a combination of meds that has been helping the last few weeks but I think it’s getting closer to time. He’s pacing more during the day & just seems unable to settle. I really don’t want him to suffer any more than he has already in his life. This blog is great, informative & very helpful, especially
for such a sad subject.
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for the update. I am glad Seanie has had some improvement for a couple weeks. It sounds like he may be near the end of his days and that is tough to make peace with. Here is a link to a newer article that may offer additional information and advice for your situation: Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
My heart goes out to you as you face some difficult decisions ahead. Praying for your strength and comfort for your heart. ♥
Hello Julie first of all I want to thank you for responding to every comment on here you are a blessing from God in times when people are suffering from lost . My guy sparky mixed dog which I found abandoned in a parking lot is a about 16 to 18 years old. He now is loosing a lot of muscle and looks lethargic. although he eats like a lot and drinks a lot constantly I am confused if it’s cushions disease or Dementia or both. he sleeps at night a out 6 hours but if he wakes up before I do he pees in his bed. he pees a lot. I leave for work and soils the living room a out 3 times a day.he is blind and walks in circles nonstop . the only way he stops the circles is if I pick him up or get in his way. he poops solid but never wags his tail for the last 2 years. he doesn’t interact with other dogs and I don’t think he knows who I am. I feel like he’s not in pain because his good appetite but I feel guilty that his main activity is the walking In circles and bumping his head against the wall or going to the corners of the house and just staring at the wall. QOL I am realizing it’s not good. my vet just said he’s old but I feel like sparky is just roaming earth with no purpose. I am very confused about my decision . thank you for having this site to comment on
Dear James,
I am sorry you are in such a difficult situation with Sparky. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to watch his mental state slowly decline. What you describe definitely sounds like dementia/cognitive dysfunction, but there is a possibility he could have Cushing’s as well. I agree that Sparky’s quality of life sounds poor. Just because he is still physically functioning doesn’t mean is he isn’t suffering from his mental disease. I will attach links to other articles with more information on how to tell when it is time to say goodbye. I am hopeful you will find the answers and advice you need to make the best decision for you and your sweet boy. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Hi! Our 18 year old mini poodle, DiDI has arthritis, and all the signs of mental CCD. That you mentioned. She has been one of the smartest poodles we have ever had. She eats very much and drinks very much. She use to sleep much – but now wakes up many times during the night. We recently started putting her in our patio in the day – and of course we have to rescue her from corners. Now it seems she wants to go out more. We think maybe she is trying to strengthen herself to be better. My daughter and I feel you do not put down a person with dementia unless they specify certain guidelines. Of course, we both have said we, like many, would not to like to live like that. However, our little DiDI can’t talk to us – so we do not know if she is trying to live for us. She still wants to be with us now all day and night if possible. She barks and whines day and night continuously when she thinks she wants something. Your article has helped us much and we thank you. We were wondering if we should ask the doctor for some type of drug to calm her -before attempting to put her down.. What would your opinion be?
Thank you so much..
Hi Kay,
I am sorry DiDl is struggling with symptoms of cognitive dysfunction. I am glad you are reaching out for information and advocating for her health and wellbeing. It is definitely worth having a conversation with your vet about treatment options. Even if your girl is nearing the end of her life, you may be able to give her a bit more quality time with the use of anxiety medications or supplements. Your vet can let you know if DiDl is a good candidate to try other therapies or if saying goodbye is the most loving option at this point. Be honest about your wishes and expectations. Also, it might be a good idea to reach out to a vet that makes house calls that can offer hospice/palliative care and, when the time is right, provide in home euthanasia services. I hope you find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your sweet girl. Praying for strength in decision making and comfort for your heart.
Hi.
I have a 12.5yr old male Collie. Up until a few months ago he’d never had any health problems, We noticed back in May his sight was worse (something which declined slowly over three years) and he seemed to have suddenly developed ‘selective hearing’, only coming to us if we shouted loudly. August 5th we took him to the vet as my daughter thought he might have ear wax. A thorough check up was done and he was diagnosed with: dementia, stage 4 kidney disease, severe heart disease, 98% blindness and total deafness. Over the past two weeks he has taken to yipping loudly every few seconds, barking at thin air, endless pacing, walking around in circles, standing still, lying down for 5-10 minutes then getting up to pace or walk in circles again. He stands with his head down behind the door, and won’t come through any doorway without someone standing next to him. He stands in the open doorway pawing at nothing, as if he’s forgotten what to do, or something invisible is blocking his path.
He’s gone off his favourite food but will eat a small bowl of Royal Canin meat. (British). He has no interest in doing anything he loved even a few months back, and looks completely confused. He’s not eating properly but has put on weight, and he is drinking without any problems.
I’ve been told by family, friends and neighbours to put him down, but for all his problems he still seems, on occassion, to be interested in things.
I want to do the best for him but I can’t help feeling that walking him to the vets to be put down is like taking him to be executed.
Dear Martha,
I understand how difficult this decision can be. Deciding when to “let go” is very emotional and is different for every dog and owner. From what you describe it does sound like your senior boy is struggling and the good days are few and far between. Saying goodbye may be the most loving and unselfish decision you can make at this point. Try not to think of it as taking him to be executed. Instead, you are rewarding him for a lifetime of devotion by offering him the peace, rest, and relief from suffering that he so deserves. It is always better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering and pain. This is a gift you can give your sweet boy. And there’s no better way to have him pass than with the ones he loves the most there by his side offering comfort and love. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your pup. I will attach some links to other articles with additional information and great comments from other readers. Praying for strength and clarity in this tough situation. Bless you both.
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. Dog Kidney Failure: When to Euthanize Your Dear Dog
e. Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
This is such a hard subject to deal with. I have a 17 year old female jack russell terrier that I have had all of her life. Last year I put down another jack who was very sick. Madison, my 17 year old, is no longer the spunky jack she used to be. She has lost a lot of weight. I can feel her bones. She cannot go up and down the stairs. I carry her from one level to the next in my house. She sleeps most of the day. She will go outside to pee and poop when I can catch her at the door. Pooping sometimes can be hard on her as she has arthritis as well. I give her pumpkin and stool softener to make it easier on her. Her appetite is not what it used to be. I try to find things that she likes. I am afraid to leave her in the care of others so I have not been on vacation in quite a while. When she goes outside it is clear she seems lost. She will just stand there for minutes at a time, not moving, Then she will make her way back to the door and come in. She doesn’t play at all any more. In the house she gets lost and stands in place for a while as well. Sometimes while she is sleeping I can see her body shaking like she is shivering. At night she gets up several times and just wanders around, I find myself getting up as well to let her out, Then I let her back in and allow her to wander around until she goes back to sleep. Getting up throughout the night has definitely taken a toll on me. I find that I am tired all the time. I am also dealing with back trouble and wonder if caring for her is contributing to my issues. I love her so much and am having a hard time thinking about putting her down. I like others that have dogs they love wish she would transition on her own. I am at a loss about the right thing to do. I don’t want to give up on her because I love her. I have a vet appointment coming up and wonder what they are going to tell me.
Dear Karen,
I understand the heartache that comes with making this most difficult decision for a beloved dog. I know you would rather her transition on her own, so the decision is out of your hands. Please know that for most dogs, a natural death is not pretty or peaceful. It can be very disturbing to watch and leave you with memories you’d rather not have. Even though choosing to say goodbye is hard, it is a loving and unselfish act. It allows you to offer your sweet girl peace and rest from her struggles. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I am glad you have an appointment to talk to your vet about your pup’s quality of life. I will attach some links to other articles with additional information. I hope you find the answers and advice you need to make the best decision for you and your senior girl. Bless you both.
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
3. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
Hello thank you for your article.
I am struggling with my sweet almost 15 year old mix breed rescue Luna. She has had what they think were mini strokes in the past few years. We thought she was gone multiple times. She has cataracts and dementia and she stares off into space for a while and pacing multiple times of day. She follows me around from room to room staying as close as she can to me. She also has periodontal disease and now has a severe infection swelling up on one side of her face. She quit eating and drinking for 3 days so I took her into the vet a couple of weeks ago. They gave her pain killer for her pain and a nausea medicine. She did began eating and drinking small amounts but swelling was still there. I called to get her a round of antibiotics as she had an infection last year too and a round of antibiotics worked to get rid of it. Her antibiotics aren’t working this time and she is even bleeding from her mouth. She also was diagnosed with a faint heart murmer so they are recommending to send her to a dog cardiologist before attempting a teeth cleaning and extractions. We are not sure she will even make it through anethesia surgery at this point. My husband said we cannot spend the money given her health decline on a heart cardiologist, teeth cleaning and extractions which they said would be minimum of $1400. I do agree that’s a lot of money for us but I feel terrible and guilty every time I look at her. Do I try another round of antibiotics at this point? Is there another way to fix her teeth without anesthesia? Are we monsters not to spend so much money to try and extend her life even a few months at this point. I have given her pain killer to help her discomfort. She does seem happy to see me from time to time and wags her tail and other times she seems lost and confused. Help!
Dear RB,
I can hear the concern and emotions in your words. It does sound like Luna is struggling and I suspect painful from the dental issue. With dental infections and abscesses, there really is no way to completely resolve the problem without a cleaning and extractions which always requires general anesthesia. At some point, the bacteria causing the infection will become resistant to the antibiotics that are being used and they will no longer respond to treatment. I am suspicious you may have already reached that point. It does not make you a bad person to have financial limits. I too have chosen hospice or palliative care for my own dogs rather than pursue expensive testing and treatments. Also, when they are suffering and have a poor quality of life, it is ok to say goodbye. Sometimes letting go is the most loving and unselfish choice we can make. It is never wrong to give your beloved pup peace and rest. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the decision that is best for you and Luna. I will leave some links to other articles with more advice and great comments from other readers. Praying for strength and clarity. ♥
1. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Thank you for this article. My Sadie is a rescue dog. She is mostly Dachshund and we think about 12 years old. Sadie has always had separation anxiety and, literally has destroyed about eight metal crates by bending the black metal wires with her teeth until she could escape. Over the last 2-3 years she still doesn’t like it when we leave, but had not been destroying any of her crates. The last 1-2 months she has been displaying extreme anxiety. Thunder was never an issue and now it terrifies her. We put her to bed at night, along with our other dogs, all who sleep in our bedroom, and she barks and “talks” mixed with the barking and refuses to stop. When she does, I can here her kicking herself constantly. She has also started to pee, and sometimes poop, in the hallway outside the bathroom 5 or more times a week. She also sneaks into my closet and pees in there as well. The biggest concern is that twice this week she almost died, and lost teeth, by bending, breaking the metal and getting her head stuck. We got home just in time, both times, and had to use a bolt cutter to release her. It scared us like crazy. Both times she lost teeth and completely cut off a mole between her eyes and there was blood everywhere. I am retired and my kids are here almost all of the time. We are not gone long periods of time. The other two dogs are on both sides of her so she is not totally alone. I have never seen this level of anxiety in her before. She is drinking and eating just fine. She is taken out often throughout the day and at night just before bedtime. She hasn’t really shown any signs of aggression, but does not have patience like she did before with our young grandchildren. Do you think she is starting with doggy dementia? The intense anxiety where she is physically putting herself in harms way and, in the cases this week, almost died is our biggest concern. We purchased some calming chews and a Thundershirt today in hopes this will help, but am afraid they won’t work as intense her anxiety is. I am praying we aren’t getting to the point where we have to make some difficult decisions. Thank you so much!
Hi Kari,
My goodness that is quite a lot to deal with. I am so sorry Sadie is struggling with such severe anxiety. Since I have not personally examined her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions about the cause of these new behavioral issues. Dementia could be playing a role, but it also would be a good idea to rule out other causes. I highly recommend you have her examined by your vet and allow them to do some lab work and diagnostic testing. If her results are normal, then dementia/cognitive dysfunction may be your answer. With the level of stress your pup is displaying, it might be a good idea to ask your vet about anxiety medications. I love Thundershirts and calming chews but agree they may not be enough for your sweet girl. Please know that anxiety like this is debilitating for your dog and you are right to be thinking about her quality of life. I hope with the help of your vet, you can find the right treatment to give Sadie some peace and comfort. Praying for resolution for this difficult situation and that you can avoid making hard decisions about saying goodbye for the foreseeable future. Bless you both. ♥
Oh my gosh this washed away my feelings of guilt.
My dog had been to a kennel last week and I think he caught kennel cough, but it was tough on his old bones. He was wobbling all over the place, peeing, coughing, throwing up, and needed to be carried up the stairs. To be really honest I think he probably may have recovered from it. The thing is, he had been battling severe anxiety and dementia for over a year. He was on so many meds and was starting to build a resistance to them – he had not been my boy for a long time and I secretly always felt guilty because it felt like it affected my love for him. He was such a handful at times. But the joy was gone from his eyes. He was indifferent, even towards me. I always kind of felt like he was mad at me because our relationship had changed. When he was not passed out because of the meds, he was anxious ridden and would not be comforted.
That day he fought all the needles and the sedative. They gave me a few minutes with him but there was no comfort in that because he was high out of his mind. So I really just feel like I betrayed him.
Seeing his body wrapped up in the blanket was too much… squeezing his paws and not getting a reaction. I wanted to pet his soft ears and his soft little head cause I know I never will again .
He is so integrated into my thought life that I was saving my pizza crust to give to him before I remembered.. And I will sometimes automatically grab for his leash before I leave in the morning.
Dear Carla,
I am sorry you had to say goodbye to your senior boy, but it sounds like you made the decision from a place of love. Dementia and anxiety can be so cruel and cause more suffering than we sometimes realize. I do think that letting go can be the most unselfish choice in these situations. I have no doubt your pup knew how much he was loved. I am glad you were able to be there with him during his last moments. Try not to let the grief steal the joy from his memory. May the thoughts of all the happy times you shared be a comfort and a blessing as you continue life’s journey.
This article has really help me and you have said some words that I wish my vet would have said to me. My 13 year old Chihuahua mix has a grade 5 out of 6 heart murmur, heart disease and potentially some dementia. I’ve been struggling on making the decision of whether I should euthanize her or not. All her life, she has struggled with anxiety, so putting her in a kennel at night is out of the question. Since September 2021, she has started going to the bathroom in our house at night. It has gotten worse in the last month even though she has 24/7 access to outside. We have small children in the home so my fear is that I will miss some urine or feces and my kids will get into it. My vet prescribed her Trazadone but it doesn’t seem to help her sleep. She had blood work done and everything came back perfect, which makes the euthanasia decision harder because other than soiling in the house, she appears to be perfectly healthy. There are days where she won’t eat, but then other days where we have no problem eating. I feel like I’m being selfish in thinking of euthanasia, but I just don’t know if she has a great quality of life now and I feel selfish with considering my quality of life of having to lay 20 or more puppy pads down each night in hopes that she chooses to use them. I’m just so lost in this decision.
Dear Kati,
My heart aches for you and this difficult situation you are in with your Chihuahua girl. You are not alone. I see comments like yours every week and the thing I want you to know is it is ok to say goodbye. It is incredibly difficult to evaluate quality of life when most of the issues are mental instead of physical. But I do believe these mental struggles of senior dogs with dementia cause suffering. Choosing to let go doesn’t make you a bad pet mom and might be the most loving and unselfish decision you can make at this point. Your quality of life matters too! I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. I hope you can find the advice you need to make the best choice for you and your little pup. Prayers for comfort and peace. Bless you both.
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
This is the second article from your site that has been so helpful. We are battling physical ailments (severe arthritis and loss of back leg function) and were finally were able to get her pain managed at least. Now the cognitive issues our vet mentioned several months back that could also be contributing to certain behaviors have become a primary concern. Constant pacing, clinginess, potty accidents, lack of spatial awareness and worst of all her not being able to rest at all at night are the main issues. She basically sleeps a few hours each night if that. It has been brutal and I feel like a selfish person for even considering that it may be time to consider euthanasia. My husband and I just keep kicking this can down the road because we do not want to make this decision. We just keep thinking she’s only 13 and seems too young for this and maybe things will get better but she is not improving. The visible physical issues she is having coupled with the cognitive deficits are heartbreaking. Your article really helped give me some perspective around this situation. Even though she is seemingly “happy” with all the issues she has, is it fair to keep her in this state indefinitely? The struggle is real for loving and caring dog parents!!! Thank you for offering resources to help us through this impossible time!
Dear Reida,
I am glad you are finding the articles to be helpful and informative. My heart goes out to you with this most difficult decision you are facing. It is hard to adequately evaluate the quality of life of a dog when most of their issues are mental instead of physical. It sounds like your girl is struggling daily even though she still has happy times. I always think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow them to suffer needlessly. The timing of saying goodbye is different for everyone and every dog. I hope you will find the strength and clarity needed to make the best choice for you and your sweet girl. Bless you both. ♥
Crying as I am reading these comments. My sweet rescue is 15. My only trusted vet dr retired. He always told me when to let go knowing we couldn’t. I took max when I knew he had enough the new vet said let’s give him more time and meds now we are seeing him suffer my old vet loved and would have never let him suffer. My heart is breaking 💔
Dear Heartbroken,
I am sorry your pup’s health is declining and he is nearing the end of his life. I have no doubt that your vet recommended the medication as a way to try to make your dog comfortable and give you more quality time with him. No veterinarian would intentionally withhold euthanasia just to see a pet suffer needlessly. Please make sure your vet is aware that your boy is struggling despite the medications and let them know you are ready to say goodbye. I hope Max will find the peace and rest he so deserves. Praying for comfort for your heart. ♥
Thank you for this article. I am in the process of beating myself up on making this decision and wavering back and forth is it time or not. My Joe has no quality of life I now realize. He has been asleep for nearly 13 hours. My classy rescued boy deserves to go out with self esteem intact. We have tried everything to help him and it is now time to let him go peacefully and on his terms. CCD is as evil as human Alzheimer disease, but I would adopt this guy all over again. His calmness helped many a rescued pup learn how to be a happy dog. I know he will send another pup who needs us, just as he so desperately needed us.
Dear Donna,
I know how hard this must be. Despite the emotions involved, it sounds like you are making the most unselfish and loving decision for Joe. You are right, CCD can be so cruel. What a blessing to have shared part of your life with such an amazing pup. I pray for your strength and comfort during this most difficult time. May the memories of all the good times with Joe be a blessing.
This is article was very helpful. We have a fox terrier we rescued about 8 years ago and we believe he is around 16 now. They were not sure of his age when we rescued him. His dementia started with just pacing at night but now it’s much worse. He’s up most nights pacing the house. He also has accidents in the house multiple times a day, gets stuck in corners or behind doors, will walk in circles until you pick him up or pet him, will whine and bark at night. We have to pick him up to take him outside and bring him back in because he can’t find his way back inside on his own anymore. He used to love being outside running around the yard and going for walks but now will just stand outside until you pick him up to bring him back in. Our vet has him on gabapentin and Trazadone at night to help him sleep but sometimes it doesn’t help him at all. I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night and can’t leave the house for more than a few hours at a time because I worry so much about him at home. I don’t want to put him to sleep just because it’s hard on me though. It’s been so hard for me to make the decision to put him to sleep and I just want someone to tell me that it is time. He’s been my shadow for the past 8 years and I can’t imagine not having him around but it’s just so hard deciding whether it is time or not.
Dear Courtney,
I understand how difficult and heartbreaking this decision can be. Let me be the one to tell you that its ok to let go. It sounds like he is struggling daily and suffering from dementia and anxiety. These issues can dramatically decrease his quality of life and would be a good reason to offer him peace and rest instead. Also, your quality of life matters too! I can only imagine how difficult these last months have been on you and your family. Praying for strength during this tough time and for clarity with your decisions. Bless you both.
Wow, reading your answers to these comments made me feel validated. Our corgi will be 12 at the end of the year but his health has been declining over the last year. He has at least one accident every day in the house and diapers helped for a little while until he learned how to shimmy his way out of them. We’ve had to rip out the carpets and put in wood flooring but it still smells like urine to me everytime I walk in.. He’s recently started following me everywhere and panting. He’ll be sleeping during the day and jump up all of a sudden and be terrified. Tonight he drew blood head butting the baby gate we keep him corralled in downstairs. We recently tried a crate but he bent the wiring and the crate was on the other side of the room the next morning. Both of our dogs sleep downstairs and I really do think he spends the entire night filled with anxiety. He seems so exhausted during the day and has started sleeping in weird places. We have 2 small children and it feels like we have 3 at this point. I feel like I don’t have the bandwidth to deal with the kids all day and then with him. It is causing a huge rift in my marriage as well…I don’t know what to do. We’ve spent so much money at this point getting tests done on him/trying to find ways to live with this. I don’t know what to do.
Dear Lynn,
I can hear the emotions and struggle in your words. It sounds like you know what you need to do but are maybe feeling guilty for even entertaining the thought. Let me be the one to tell you that it is ok to consider euthanasia for your Corgi boy. Please don’t feel guilt over wanting better for your family and your pup. Your senior guy is declining, and the lack of sleep and nighttime anxiety must weigh so heavily on him and you. Your quality of life matters too! And sometimes when the caregiving is especially hard and draining it can cause resentment toward your beloved dog. This isn’t fair for either one of you. Even though saying goodbye will be heartbreaking, it may be the most loving and unselfish decision you can make at this point. After a lifetime of devotion and dedication, you can give your boy peace and rest. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Here is a link to another article with additional information and good comments from other readers: Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Praying for strength and clarity. Bless you both. ♥
I have five dogs three of which are elderly one is almost twenty years old and the other two are both 19 years old and all of them are Jack Russell mixes which explains why they have lived such long lives.
One was diagnosed with a brain tumor and is on anti-seizure medication and prednisone and we initially thought it was cancer now we know it is a non-cancerous brain tumor and it has been over a year of cleaning up after him with dirty diapers waking up in middle of night and constant stress and exhaustion with collateral damage to our home. Yet he still eats all his meals is wagging his tail and going on walks. He isnt ready to go.
Then another one that is half Jack and half pit bull has turned extremely aggressive snapping at me when I try taking off his harness or lifting him up stairs and now I have to leave him in doggy day care where they isolate him in his own room and I have to take him in and out of the room and he wont even let me take off his harness. The vet doesnt have him on any meds. I am close to deciding to humanely euthanize him since it isnt safe for me or my family or the staff at doggy day care and I cant leave him alone at home all day he will bark in the apartment and ruin the floors and will be miserable. I dont feel safe having a dog walker handle him either.
It is so heartbreaking since he is 18 years old but otherwise in decent shape he is just too aggressive to handle.
Dear Tony,
I think you are making a wise choice to consider euthanasia for your senior guy. Anytime aggression becomes an issue I feel it is an appropriate option. I am sure your previously sweet boy doesn’t enjoy feeling this way either. It must be hard to have most people avoid him or have to leave him isolated so much of the time. It might be worth having a conversation with your vet to see if there is a mediation you could try. If that does not help, then letting to may be the most loving choice and only way to give him peace and rest. I am so sorry you are facing this difficult decision. Bless you both.
I am unsure if my Chihuahua is suffering from Dimentia. She’s lived a hard 16 years. I remember when I was probably only 12 she was hit by a car when we left her with a family member while on vacation. I’m 24 years old now and she has been in our family for what feels like forever. I don’t remember life before her. But now her behavior worries me. It can’t have been more than a year and a half ago that when I would be home from school she’d want to sleep in my bed every night. Every morning we’d play in the front yard, and against my parents’ will I’d read or watch tv on the couch with her when they weren’t around. Now it seems like she has no interest in any of it. She can’t tolerate being held, she’ll put up with being on the couch for at most 2 minutes, and overall seems indifferent to attention. She will nuzzle into me if I hold her but only very briefly. This behavior can’t have been here for more than 8 months. But she hasn’t slept with me in years so I find it hard to tell if it’s gradually aging, or something worse. For the past couple months she’s been sleeping all day, and as I write this at 12:50 A.M. she is frequently getting up from her bed, taking a few paces, and returning to it. She oftens seems to wander aimlessly. She also suffers from arthritis in her back legs which she takes Carprofen for, and is blind as a bat. She still loves to eat her food, but when I try to take her out into the hard she stands there still and occasionally rubs her head in the grass where she used to be so active. I am so unsure as to what the quality of her life is like. We recently took her to the vet because she has fluid in her lungs caused by a heart murmur, but he basically just said if she’s eating and drinking she’s fine. I’m unsure… And getting her to the vet took me reminding my mother to take her countless times. Being a student I’m not the most affluent, so I rely on my family for her treatment. But I also seem to be the only one who truly cares. I just don’t know if I worry too much, if there is something wrong, if there’s anything that can be done. I just don’t want her to suffer.
Dear Richard,
Your senior girl is lucky to have you in her life. You are being a wonderful advocate for her health and wellbeing. From what you are describing, it does sound like she is struggling, and that euthanasia may be the most loving option. Sometimes it is hard to come to terms with a dog’s declining health when they seem ok physically but mentally they are suffering. I think you are correct in your assessment of your sweet girl’s quality of life. I understand how difficult it is to make the decision to say goodbye, and even harder to convince other family members it might be time to let go. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information and great comments from other readers. My heart goes out to you and this tough path you are walking. I pray your chihuahua girl finds peace and rest surrounded by those who love her most.
1. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
2. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
I have an 18.5 year old Cairn terrier who came to me as a senior rescue dog at 14. I never expected her to last this long! Over the last year, she developed dementia and it’s getting worse. First, it was mostly restlessness, especially at night. My vet put her on gabapentin in January to calm her down in the evening in help her sleep at night, and it helped some, at least initially. But now she has progressed to slowly walking in a small circle, stopping and staring aimlessly, walking behind doors, constantly going up and down from the couch and bed (when she can get up there–many times she can’t make it up the stairs I got for her, but keeps coming back and trying over and over), not responding to my voice, not being able to find a treat in my hand, etc. All the classic dementia signs but becoming more and more frequent. Most recently, she has starting peeing and pooping in the house, at 5 times in the last 2 weeks. We have a dog door and she uses it about 50 times a day, but I think she is forgetting where it is when she needs to go. I think it’s about time to say goodbye to the old girl–I think I gave her 4 happy years at the end, and that’s several more years than I expected her to have when I adopted her.
Dear Ellbee,
I know how tough it is to watch a beloved pup slowly decline and struggle with dementia. Your sweet girl was so lucky to have found you in her senior years. It sounds like you both have enjoyed your time together and enriched each other’s lives. My heart goes out to you as you near the time to say goodbye. Bless you both.
This article has been so helpful. My nearly 15 year old corgi, Louise, has dementia. She paces and pants and also does rhythmic barking that was only at night at first but now it’s all day and night if she isn’t sleeping. She has arthritis and has taken gabapentin for several years as well as carprofin. Our vet prescribed Trazadone which we give her throughout the day and in the evening. She doesn’t see well and is mostly deaf. I find her in the laundry room barking at the wall frequently. This is where she always used to sleep and relax.
The hard part is that she still seems so happy to see me and always wants pets. If I bring her in my bedroom, with a diaper on, she seems to settle down and sleep. I’m just not sure if it’s time. I wonder if her arthritis is making her hurt and that is the cause of some of the restlessness. Such a hard decision.
Thank you for your thoughtful articles.
Hi Jane,
I understand how difficult it can be to make decisions about your pup’s quality of life. Dementia is especially hard because the issues are mostly mental, and they can still look physically ok. Since I haven’t examined your girl myself, I can’t make specific conclusions, but it does sound like Louise is struggling. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow her to suffer needlessly. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and Louise. Praying for your strength and comfort for your heart.
My dog Aslan is the love of my life. He is an almost 15 years old Golden Retriever. He suffers from osteoarthritis and can no longer walk on his own without support. I have ordered a wheelchair so I can take him out for a walk. His condition has been deteriorating for three weeks now, so I could not take him out for a walk. He also suffers from dementia. In the evenings he becomes anxious, cries and barks and wants to walk for hours, but because of osteoarthritis he cannot so I have to hold him and walk with him in the house. For almost two years, I gave him herbal sedatives at night, and it was enough to help him sleep. For the last six months, however, at the urging of the veterinarian, I give him Anafranil and a chemical sedative that belongs to a class of medicines called Benzodiazepine. For the last 3 months it took 2 to 3 hours for the sedative to work and for Aslan to be able to sleep, but in the last 2 weeks the condition has gotten worse. After he manages to fall asleep with difficulty, he sleeps for 2-3 hours and then wakes up in the middle of the night, crying and barking and panting intensely, while for the last two nights his body is warmer than usual. After a nightmarish night, where nothing helped him calm down, I took him to the vet early in the morning. The vet told me that all the symptoms I described to him were due to dementia and that it might be time to consider euthanasia. I explained to the vet that I have ordered a wheelchair and I want to wait for it to arrive because I am thinking and hoping that when we start going out for a walk again, his condition will improve. The vet told me he thought it was unlikely but he understands my need to try this too. He gave us a new drug to try, which actually made Aslan sleep for several hours both day and night. I will continue to give it to him because I want to know that if I have to make the decision of euthanasia, I did it after I tried everything before. I will be honest … Physically and mentally I am very tired, I wanted to sleep without breaks, to live without worrying constantly, to have freedom of movement, to enjoy life again, and without giving most of my small salary to veterinarian. Last night I wished Aslan to die so we could both calm down. This morning when the vet talked about euthanasia it was as if I was waking up from lethargy and realised he was talking about my baby. I feel that dementia makes both Aslan and me lose ourselves. But on the other hand I feel that I can not manage the decision to end his life. It’s what I love most about the world. I feel remorse that I am tired. I constantly feel that what I do is not enough. (Please forgive my English, it is not my native language.)
Hi Maria,
I understand your heartache and how difficult this decision can be. I know you don’t want to give up too quickly, but I agree with your vet that it sounds like euthanasia might be the most loving option at this point. I always say that it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow your pup to suffer needlessly. I know you love Aslan, and it is obvious that you would do anything for him, but your quality of life matters too! I hope you can find the strength to give your sweet boy peace and rest. I will attach links to other articles that may have additional information and great comments from other readers. Bless you. ♥
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Thanks for this article. I am struggling with the decision for my 15 year old pup. The biggest issue is restlessness at night. Many nights of broken sleep have left me exhausted… otherwise she is so healthy physically. I feel selfish that lack of sleep for me is the reason to end her life. But I am not sure I can take the stress and anxiety much longer.
Dear Lisa,
Please don’t carry around the unnecessary burden of guilt over this decision. Your quality of life matters just as much as your senior girl. Euthanasia is a good and loving option for situations exactly like yours. We are so used to looking at dogs and determining they are happy and healthy just because they don’t have anything “physically” wrong. But mental disease is very real and can be so difficult for our beloved dogs to live with. Not to mention, when we are under the stress of care giving every day and losing sleep, the bond we have with our dog can become broken and we can get resentful. This isn’t fair to you or your pup. I will attach a link to other articles that may offer additional information. It is always a good idea to reach out to your vet and discuss your concerns. They may have ideas about a medication to try or can offer hospice/palliative care. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your sweet girl. Wishing you both peace and rest.
1. Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 6 Solutions for Better Sleep
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Hi there- my sweet schnauzer mix rescue boy, Rolly, has CDC and arthritis. The past few months his mental state has rapidly declined, even on Trazodone and other cognitive medications. Rolly frequently paces, has severe anxiety, is extremely clingy, and often times takes a lot of convincing to eat his food. On top of it all is sporadic and unpredictable moments of aggression; he has already bit three members of my family. Physically, he looks fine and still has some moments filled with energy and excitement. However, with his recent and increasing aggressive behavior I am facing the difficult decision to either re-home or put him to rest. (For context, one of the bites was severe enough for stitches)
I love and adore Rolly, and the thought of re-homing him seems unbearable and cruel. Euthanasia seems like the kinder option, as we know he would have a good, happy end of his life surrounded by those who love him. However, I’m having a difficult time letting go. Am I making the right decision?
Dear KeriAnne,
My heart breaks for you and this difficult situation you are in with Rolly. I will be honest…I really don’t think rehoming him is an option. If there is a safety risk and aggressive behavior, I feel like the only loving choice you have left is humane euthanasia. I will attach a link to another article that may offer additional information and good comments from other readers. I hope you can make these last days together happy and full of joy. Focus on the good times and relive the sweet memories you’ve shared together. I pray you will have the strength to give Rolly peace and rest. Bless you both. ♥
Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
My 10 year old lad has anklets had anxiety. It’s increased in the past year. He cowers shaking and panting hard. Sitting and petting him doesn’t seem to help but we try. He’s lost some small control of his bowls which is frustrating on some level, I have an infant who crawls around and I fear I can’t keep up if he gets scared and looses a small stool or has some liquid leave his bowl. He’s barged into the bathroom and jumped into the bathtub with my son frighted suddenly which is also concerning on a few levels – possible injury to my son and also just the process to calm my sweet pup but also defuse the situation and start bath time over.
We’ve tried CBD for dogs, tried an anxiety vest, it’s certainly dementia. Medications the vet has given don’t seem to help, but also he acts totally fine at the vet or anywhere he is excited about (the vet has new people and treats).
Just lost on what to do. Euthanasia seems the east way out and I’m just a softy, hard decision but it may be time.
Hi Carly,
Dementia is such a difficult disease. It is hard to determine what the quality of life is when a dog is physically ok but mentally declining. I am sorry you are having to be so vigilant about the fecal incontinence with your infant crawling around. It might be a good idea to have a hospice vet come to your house and assess your senior guy. They can let you know if there are therapies to try or if euthanasia is the most loving option at this point. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and your boy. My heart goes out to you. Bless you both.
Thanks for this very insightful information. Our mini schnauzer will turn 15 in a couple months (Jul 2022). Sadly I am seeing all the signs of CCD, and in fact since 2020 , where we both had bouts of depression following the unexpected death of my husband ( who our furry friend loved most) to C-19. He was a very healthy 62 yo with no underlying and she missed him terribly to the point of having little to no appetite for several weeks. At the time I contributed depression to be the reason for her running into walls , pacing, appearing confused, not responding , going in circles, & having mild aggression. ( in hindsight I think my husband death greatly impacted her health overall). A visit to vet for physical showed some mild kidney problem and meds were given which seemed to work, but she’s just not been the same since my husband passed.
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In 2021 when she still wasn’t eating well enough, I took her to vet and found out some dental care needed to be done. Dental surgery went well. In March 2022 a hematoma was discovered in the ear and vet did a procedure. A RX was prescribed and she healed beautifully. The same CCD signs appeared more noticeably and the aggression peaked to the point when she wandered off one day I think gate was left open that she bit my daughter who picked her up to bring her back home. She’ knows my daughter who live with me & the entire family who often visits. My daughter is a FNP(family Nurse Practitioner) and is up to date on tetanus, and she knew what to do and the bite healed with ni problem.. Thank God. I am very concerned and breaks my heart that CCD may be progressing and that I’ll have to make a decision that I don’t want to make c/o putting her down. She doesn’t come when I call her. The vet said to clap my hands and that does help, but sometime I have to go and get her and when I do , it is with slow careful movements to let her smell my hand and then progress to gently stroke behind her ears. She doesn’t seem to know me when I bathe her anymore and is irritable and snaps at me.
I never had to use puppy pads. But after soiling the rugs and peeing the kitchen floor to many times I’ve bought some and I have to put her in the laundry room at night with using them. I also have a crate for her in the family room that she sleeps in some nights but is often soiled as she doesn’t bark , whine or cry any more. She barks only when our back yard and neighbors dogs come to fence and they jaw at each other. A near delight because I feel like she’s unhappy. But funny every morning she leaps through the back door and a cross the lawn like a bunny rabbit. I don’t understand how I’m supposed to consider putting her down. Too many decisions lately. I have no room for guilt. Thoughts?
Dear Anne,
It sounds like you have had a very difficult and emotional time these last couple of years. I am sorry your schnauzer girl’s health is declining as well. From what you are describing, I am concerned that at this point, your pup does not have a very good quality of life and neither do you. I can only imagine how tough it must be to clean up after her every day and worry about her getting lost or biting someone because of the progression of the cognitive dysfunction. Euthanasia is a good option to consider for her specific case and may be the most loving and unselfish choice that can be made. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow a dog to suffer needlessly. We allow our hearts to break so they can find peace and rest. I know this decision is not easy but pray that you will have the strength to make the best choice for you and your sweet girl.
Thank you for this article. We have been struggling with our 13 year old loved and spoiled boy. He’s such a big part of our family, but for the past 9-12 months has had increasing signs of dementia. He has always had anxiety but over the last year it has sky rocketed and evenings are the worst. He whines and cries all night most nights until bedtime, when he wants to repetitively go through his bedtime routine. We have to “herd him” around to get him outside (because he has become nervous in the dark) then back inside and into his bed. He won’t come in the house after going outside to the bathroom at any point in the day and we have to either lure him in with treats or physically go get him. We’ll occasionally find him napping in odd places like closets or a tile shower in our basement- all completely uncharacteristic for him. He has mobility issues as well with both back legs showing significant weakness and shaking, and has recently begun to limp on his front leg as well. He still enjoys going for long walks and will pull to try to go farther if we try to head home, but when nearing the end of those walks you have to basically drag him home and his limping has increased. His hearing has recently decreased and he is basically deaf, and we are starting to fear his reaction to our kids’ friends and
Guests in our home as he gets surprised when he doesn’t hear people emter and then barks and gets defensive. He also has Cushing’s disease and his hunger is insatiable. We’ve elected to leave that untreated as the process to treat is expensive and unpredictable and in conjunction with his other issues just seems like it might be time to say goodbye. It’s such a difficult decision, but finding your articles has brought some peace to this process and I truly appreciate it. So many friends and family members have told us “He’ll tell you” or “you’ll know” when it’s time, but we are exhausted and frustrated and he seems so unhappy sometimes. I don’t feel he is necessarily telling us it’s time, especially when he sometimes seems so happy while out for hikes so the uncertainty weighs on us but I don’t see how this daily routine is sustainable for any of us. Thank you for helping us navigate this difficult time with your helpful articles.
Dear Heather,
I am sorry your sweet boy’s health is declining and his mental state is suffering. It does sound like letting go may be the most loving and unselfish choice you can make. As much as you love him, your quality of life matters too. Dogs can tell when we are frustrated and sometimes the strain of caregiving can break the bond we have with a beloved dog, which isn’t fair for the dog or the owner. Once a decision is made, I have always found it helpful to pick a date to say goodbye and then spend the last days spoiling them rotten and making wonderful memories. Here is an article that may offer additional information and great comments from other readers: Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
I hope you can find the strength to walk this difficult path. Praying for comfort for everyone involved. Bless you!
Thanks for the article, it was very informative. Our 14 year old Yorkie, Ace, has started to show signs of dementia. I’ve been noticing symptoms for the past several weeks but he seemed pretty normal except for pacing and wanting attention. Tonight has been the worse that he has ever been, I’m up now because he is pacing, disoriented, confused, restless, and air biting. Also it’s raining outside and my electricity is out so I know that’s only adding to his anxiety. Last year I had to put my 15 year old lab/collie mix, Shadow, to sleep because she had a tumor in her throat. It was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do. We miss her tremendously. It breaks my heart to think that we will have to do the same with him. I’m calling my vet in the morning to make an appointment as soon as possible.
Hi Michelle,
I am sorry your little guy is struggling with dementia. I can only imagine how worrisome it must be to watch him pace and go through anxiety attacks. I am glad you are trying to have him examined by your vet. They may want to rule out seizures or other more serious issues and may be able to prescribe medications to help resolve some of these new symptoms. Here is another article that may offer additional information: Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 6 Solutions for Better Sleep
I hope you find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and Ace. Praying he finds peace and comfort and can get back to living his best life.
I just put down my 15 year old Schnoodle today with dementia, and it was the hardest thing I had to do. I cried like a baby and so did my son who grew up with our dog Max. I dont wish Dementia on any dog or any owner. We all have this perception that if our dogs looks well, how dare we put a dog down, but if the dog wasn’t walking well, organ failure or had cancer its ok. Right?! This disease is heartbreaking 💔. I have tried to make him the most comfortable for the past year. Max would pace non-stop day and night, bark relentlessly at night and in the morning, panting, anxiety, depression, aggression then sweet at times and I had pee pads everywhere in my house, i refused to section his living space off because he already had such bad anxiety, he would pee and poop everywhere in my house. 160 pads a month no joke. He was just existing, he wasnt living as I was just existing and I was not living, noone who has gone through this would never understand. But I wanted to remember Max a little too soon than a little too late. Just because we do not see something physically wrong with a dog does not mean they are living their best life. I hope this helps any other dog owners with the heart wrenching decision 💔
Dear Kim,
Your words hold so much emotion and truth that I hope other readers get to see. You are spot on when you said “just because we do not see something physically wrong with a dog does not mean they are living their best life.” I know how heartbroken you must be without your beloved Max, but I have no doubt he knew how much he was loved. You made the most unselfish and loving choice you could and allowed him to find peace and rest from his anxiety and struggles. I pray with time your heart will heal. May his memory be a blessing to you and your son. ♥
Kim, Thank you so much for your story. I am going through this very same thing right now. My 15 yr old Schnoodle has dementia and I see myself in every single situation you described. It’s heart wrenching. Your message has given me the clarity and comfort of mind I needed to make this challenging decision. Thank you. 💕
Thank you, Kim. I am going through this with my 16 year old girl, who, on top of the Dementia, has hip dysplasia. She shakes her collar and falls over. Her little legs are getting weaker. As far as the Dementia, she has all the signs you have mentioned. My husband and I decided yesterday that it was time. We made an appointment with our vet. I have been crying ever since. Don’t know how I will actually get through the procedure. Thank you for sharing your experience. It is really helpful. It is a fine line between wanting them to keep on going and recognizing that that it is time. I vacillate back and forth, wondering if we are doing the right thing, at the right time. This is the most difficult decision to make for a beloved pet that has been such a big part of your life!
Dear Virginia,
I know the decision you are making is heartbreaking but comes from a place of love. I hope that as your senior girl finds peace and rest your heart will also be comforted. Praying for strength for you and your husband and that everything goes smoothly. Wishing you both the best and may the memory of your sweet girl be a blessing.
I am literally going through this right now with my 16 year old mini dachshund. She had Perthes disease as a puppy and had surgery and was fine all her life until recently – she has lameness and her back end falls over all the time and she always walks on a slant and looks like she’s struggling to stay upright.. X-rays have shown that she likely has pain in her lower back in addition to her hip/leg from the Perthes. She is incontinent as well and displays symptoms of dementia (pacing, sometimes for an hour or more, staring into space, unusual sleep schedule like up in the middle of the night or very early in the morning). Because of her lameness she often falls into her pee and she needs to be cleaned up. She’s mostly deaf and also blind in one eye due to corneal degeneration so sometimes walks into a door frame or the edge of the coffee table. I can’t tell if she recognizes me or not or if it’s due to lack of vision or dementia but she is less excited to see me in the mornings or when I come home. She actually barks less now than before – I think because she can’t see or hear people coming to the house which was really the only time she’d bark usually. A handful of times over the last few months I heard her crying and sounding distressed at night but it only lasted for a few seconds. We think the bad days are starting to outnumber the good days and I made an appointment for her today and I am devastated right now. I’m riddled with guilt and being unsure of our decision. We are exhausted emotionally and physically – constantly cleaning up messes (on the floor, in her bed, on her), watching her obsessively so she doesn’t fall and hurt herself, medication for pain and for her eyes several times a day, up at all hours of the night because she wants out or slipped off her bed and needs help to get up, always worried about her when we aren’t home and what kind of mess we will have to clean up after work (usually she’s oblivious and will walk through any mess and track it all over the house which is so unlike her, she was always such a princess about getting her feet dirty or wet). We don’t want to put her down for our own convenience – I am willing to be tired for her if she still has a decent quality of life. I’m just not sure if she does or not anymore. I have seen her tail wag maybe 5 times in the last 3 or 4 months, she has had zero interest in her toys for even longer than that. She still loves her food but our vet said that with hounds since they are highly food motivated, a disinterest in food isn’t a reliable indicator of it being time. There are glimmers of her being her old playful, goofy self but they are getting less often, maybe only a few times a week. We still don’t know if we are making the right decision. I really wanted to give her one more summer and I’m heartbroken that might not happen.
Dear Karissa,
My heart goes out to you and this difficult situation you are in with your senior girl. I understand you not wanting to choose euthanasia for convenience, but that is not at all what this sounds like to me. Your little Dachshund definitely sounds like her health is declining and she is struggling daily. Also, you do need to consider your own quality of life. I know how much you love your pup, and she would want you to take care of yourself too. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow a beloved dog to suffer needlessly. Making the heartbreaking choice to let go will give your sweet girl the peace and rest she has earned after a lifetime of love and devotion. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your senior girl. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information. Bless you both.
1. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
An update….
My dog’s condition improved somewhat since my last message and we were able to give her one more summer, with careful attention and patience. However she has started to decline more the last few weeks so we finally made the decision to let her go on November 3rd. She barely responds to us anymore (unless we have food), she doesn’t remember how to do her tricks. Usually she looks at us blankly, she won’t play with toys and rarely wags her tail or gets excited about anything (if she does show interest in something it’s very briefly). Even the 2 steps down to the back door scare her so we carry her up and down always. Her hind end is becoming increasingly lame even with months of pain medication. Her confusion is increasing – I will often have to take her outside 3 or 4 times before she remembers what she’s supposed to do out there. Even so, at least once a day we have an accident to clean up in the house or her bed, often at 4 or 5am. Recently it seems like she’s having trouble eating and we can’t figure out why. Kibbles getting stuck in her teeth? It’s like she has a hard time chewing and sometimes we’ve panicked because it almost sounded like she was choking. She’s also very slow to finish her meal which is totally unlike her, it’s like it’s a chore. Although she still is very interested in what we are eating and getting treats whenever she can.
My husband has been ready to do this for a few months but he’s been patiently waiting for me to come to terms with it. I don’t know if I ever will but I think this is the closest I will ever be to ready. I am a complete basket case and still at times I am desperately trying to rationalize her behavior/condition (“it’s ok, she’s just mellowed in her old age and she’s super chill now”) but I know that’s wrong. I am terrified of letting this progress to the point of seizures which is something I’ve heard of happening. This will be the hardest 2 weeks of my life but I want to spend it loving on her and giving her all the attention, even if she doesn’t remember me.
Dear Karissa,
Thank you for the update! What a blessing to have had a few extra months with your senior girl. I understand how emotional these next two weeks will be but am glad you will have the opportunity to lavish your pup with love. Praying for your strength and comfort for your heart. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Thank you for all of the information in this article. We have a 15.5 year old papillon that is suffering with CCD, severe arthritis, severe periodontal disease (as toy breeds often do). We were told last year that it would be kind to let her go. Eleven months later she is still with us. I took her to another vet last Friday and got the same opinion. My husband is having much difficulty letting go. He thinks I am uncaring, however he is not the one that has to walk out the door while she is screaming, walk back into screaming and feel bad, since I am the one that is home the most. I am at a loss, because I think this is very selfish. I appreciate any input. Thank you
Dear Solveig,
You are right to be concerned about your senior girl’s quality of life. Sometimes it can be hard to know when it is time to let go. I do think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and see them suffer needlessly. If you make a decision now, you can give them peace and rest and make sure the process is smooth and calm. If you wait too long, the ability to decide may be taken from you. In my experience, when dogs pass on their own it doesn’t usually happen peacefully in their sleep. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information and great comments from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to have productive talk with your husband and ultimately make the best decision for you and your sweet girl. Bless you both.
1. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
Hello – this information has been extremely helpful to me. We’ve had our dog Ellie since 2014, when we adopted her from a local shelter. At the time, they estimated she was 5 years old. She’s now 13 and has been battling CCD for the past year. Over the past few weeks, she has progressively gotten worse. She paces around the house at night, sleeps all day long and has started having accidents when she’s never had them in the house before. She’s also to the point where she is aggressive towards other members of the household and will only be with me. We have an appointment with our vet tomorrow, which we will be discussing the euthanasia process. I’m extremely heartbroken. She has been by my side every day since we adopted her and I’m going to miss her terribly. But after reading this article, I can at least remind myself that she will no longer be suffering and we’re doing the right thing. Thanks.
Dear Seth,
I am glad the article was helpful and gave you some insight to this difficult situation. It does sound like Ellie was declining rapidly and struggling quite a bit. I hope the appointment with your vet went well and helped you make the best decision for you and your girl. Praying her last moments were peaceful and filled with love. May her memory be a blessing. ♥
Our sweet girl will turn 16 in just a few days. Her dementia is quite progressed, but it snuck up on us. Looking back, signs were there, but for the last four months, they can’t be written off. She is a lhasa apso and has had back leg weakness for many years, but now, her legs will just give out on her, and she will lie down right where she is. She gets “lost” in tight places multiple times a day, sometimes finding herself in precarious situations in which she needs “rescued”. She wanders aimlessly, sometimes in circles, but always crashing into or over things. She suddenly began showing signs of incontinence, which we have been able to mitigate with phenylpropanolamine. We have had to start trazodone at night to keep her calm. She has episodes of panting and what seems like anxiety. She is still able to find her food, water, and bed; but she rarely seeks us out for attention (although she will gladly accept pets if she happens to stumble through). I think what makes it particularly hard to make the decision to say goodbye is that this has just become the new norm. It absolutely breaks are hearts a million times a day to see her this way, but the progression was so slow until recently, that we are also still coming to terms with it. I appreciate the content here as we grapple with when…
Dear Chloe’s Mom,
I am sorry for the difficult decision you are facing with your senior girl. So often we are blinded to the severity of suffering when we see our beloved dog every day and the changes happen slowly and are subtle. Sometimes it takes a friend or loved one to make a comment and open our eyes to the reality that is right in front of us. I will attach links to other articles that may offer helpful information and great comments by other readers. I pray your heart will be comforted and you will find clarity in your decision making. I hope you find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and your sweet girl.
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers to 12 FAQs
3. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
We adopted our sheppard/lab mix named Archie at the age of 9 in 2016 and he’s now 14 or 15.. He spent 7 months in the shelter until my wife came along and he melted her heart. We have no idea why he was abandoned and that mystery has always alluded us because he’s an absolutely great dog. 2 years ago, we started seeing some subtle changes in Archie. He suddenly and inexplicably became extremely anxious while riding in the car. Since then his symptoms have slowly progressed to random pacing, episodes of barking at nothing, soiling in the house, sundowning at a certain time every evening and extreme separation anxiety as well as unusually clingy behavior. Thankfully he sleeps all night with a well timed dose of Trazodone. He has been diagnosed with CCD and we’ve made plans to say goodbye next week. I’m not writing this to ask for advice because we know what we need to do but I just wanted to say that your comments to those dealing with this as well as your blog comments really helped us feel like we are not alone in this extremely difficult decision. It isn’t as clear cut as we always thought it would be. We struggled with the feeling that we shouldn’t let him go because he was too hard to care for. We see flickers of our old dog every now and then which gives us second thoughts about whether we should be putting him down but we find comfort in the mindset that it’s always better to make that decision a day too early rather than a day too late. We want to spare him from that inevitable suffering. Thanks for bringing all this to the surface. It has really helped us.
Dear Travis,
Thank you for the kind words about the article and the blog comments. I am glad you were able to find some comfort in the stories of other readers. I am sorry the time has come to say goodbye to Archie, but it sounds like you are making the most loving decision for him. I will attach a link to another article that may offer additional information for the situation you are facing. I pray his last days will be filled with love and joy. I hope his memory will be a blessing and your heart will find peace knowing he has found his peace and rest. ♥
Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Although I saw changes in my 18 year old Jack Russell, this past Monday she started having dramatic changes. All of the classic symptoms; walking in circles, getting stuck behind doors because she got lost, falling and then not being able to get up, etc. I took her to the vet hoping she had an ear infection but she found no physical problems other than back leg issues she has had for a few years and told me it was cognitive decline. Honestly, I was prepared somewhat to put her down that day, but I could not bring myself to. I think I just wanted to see if she would get better. I set her up in the kitchen with a large crate, towels on the ceramic floor to help her if she slipped on the floor and her bowls of food and water accessible. She paced most of the night in the kitchen. I tried locking her in the large crate with her bed and I found her just standing the few times I got up. I opened the crate and when I got up this morning found out she pooed on a rug, stepped in it and it was all over the kitchen floor. I felt so bad for her. I take her out multiple times a day and she still goes, but she does not seem to know who I am. I am sure her time has come. I will give it another week or so. She has been around for over a quarter of my life. It is certainly hard to let her go.
Dear Jeanne,
My heart aches for you and your sweet girl. It is so hard to watch them struggle and know there really isn’t anything you can do to help. I hope you can make her last days full of joy and love. Praying that when the time comes you will feel peace and her transition will be smooth. Here are some other articles you may find helpful:
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
Wow. I’ve got a 16 year old JRT doing the same pacing, falling, running into things, loss of outside bathroom abilities. She still recognizes us, but all the CCD signs are there. Trying to get the courage to put her down.
JRTs are such good pals. Sorry you are going through this.
Hello.
I am also looking for answers to help me make one of the hardest decisions I might ever have to make.
My old girl suffered a mini stroke last year (we think) and lost her sight overnight.
All the symptoms of dementia I am attributing to her loss of sight.. getting lost in corners, being anxious, not recognising us or interacting with toys as she is quite a healthy dog otherwise.. eats well, still tells us when she need to go outside, sleeps through most of the night and is of a healthy weight.. but is she happy? I don’t know.. I still see light in her but others are telling me its time to say goodbye.. but is it? Will I be giving up on her or keeping her in mental anguish/pain..? I can’t decide and have asked our vet for advice. He said he can’t make that decision for us and that our girl has lots of little things wrong with her not one big thing which makes it hard. He did however say that if we asked him to end her life we wouldn’t object.. I’m so confused and torn.. when do you known it’s time??
Dear Heartbroken,
I completely understand your distress in making this decision. Sometimes the answer just isn’t going to be obvious and falls into a grey zone. I do think it is always better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late. I will attach some links to other articles that may have additional information and good comments from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to help you make the decision that is best for you and your sweet girl. I pray your heart will find peace and be comforted during this tough season of life. ♥
1. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
2. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
I am reading this website looking for answers that are probably not here, looking for help that will never come. My poor beautiful girl, a border rescue named Zoe, that will be 13 on the 14th of February 2022 is now struggling with CCD. She is now as I write this whimpering in front of me with no real reason or wish for what she wants, I try to find a solution for her yet she does not seem to know herself, she will calm down in an hour or so then on to the next thing. She has moments I really think she will be fine, like she plays with my daughter’s dog, or she will roll on the floor and play with one of her many toys. I am then snapped back to my reality, We lost her best friend another Border named Joker on 3/25/2019, he had a brain tumor. We lost him so young only 9, For 2yrs he had horrible seizures that I think contributed to Zoe sliding into depression and such grief after he died. She aged terribly, then last year was diagnosed with CCD. I just wish there was something reasonable I could give her that would make a real difference in here life, at least help her feel better.
I know we become selfish, love for our animals is such a real and painful thing, these borders have given to us so much. They were service animals, my husband suffered a severe head injury during his Military Career. Joker was his actual Service Dog, but little Zoe was such a champ recognizing his PTSD, she would jump up in his lap much faster than Joker haha, so we always said he had two angels watching over him. This has been so very hard on my husband to watch the decline of Zoe just as he had to watch Joker fade until we had to put him down, she was just so smart just like our boy Joker.
I am just in a wishful state, hoping for answers, trying to help an angel spend a few more years here on earth giving her love and helping a family like she has always done. Thanks for listening.
Hi Valerie,
I am sorry Zoe is having so much trouble, especially while you are still living with the loss of Joker fresh on your mind. It is hard to watch them struggle and heartbreaking to start making decisions about saying goodbye. Since I haven’t examined Zoe myself, it is difficult to make specific recommendations. Is she currently taking any medications for the CCD? If not, I highly recommend you talk to you vet and find out her options. They may be able to try supplements or an anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medication to see if it helps relieve some of the CCD symptoms that seem to be the most worrisome. I will attach a link to another article you may not have read that has more information. No matter what choice you end up making, I hope it brings you peace. I wish you the best and give Zoe a big hug for me. ♥
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
Thank you for this article. It was really a comfort. We decided to euthanize our dear dog with dementia last October. In Japan, to euthanize pets is not at all common. Many people try to extend their living time as long as possible. But we considered to extend his hard life without any expectation of cure is our selfish hope. And thankfully, our vet understands our decision and taught us the timing to euthanize him, when his begins to vomit both food and water, or difficulty of breathing appears.
He came to suffer from dementia in summer of 2020 and soon
he became unable to find water without any smell. In September 2021 it gradually became difficult for him even to eat solid food. He couldn’t stand up by himself. It deprived him of night sleep. He became to bark and struggle restlessly and cried for frustration, and in October his body came to reject everything contrary to his will.
That was exactly you write here, “your dog’s life has grown so difficult that he or she is no longer happy. You don’t want to see your dog get any worse. So, you are choosing to provide your dear companion an escape from his or her mental and physical pain. ”
All we could do was to release him from this living hell. To say good-by was really heartbreaking, but at the same time we felt relieved as we believed that we had done the right choice. At last, we could peacefully sleep after the long nights of struggle against dementia, so did our dearest dog. Finally he could rest in peace literally.
Thank you for giving me this chance to tell.
Hi Ken’s Mom,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am sorry you had to say goodbye to your sweet boy, but it sounds like you made the right choice, and it came from a place of love. I am glad you have such a good working relationship with your veterinarian. I wish you the best and hope your dog’s memory will be a blessing to you and your family.
Our dog is sixteen and we adore him. Lately, he has begun to pace, pant and whine for hours every night. He constantly whines at door to go outside, but barks to come in after we let him out, He’s on meds for hip pain and we give him trazadone when his anxiety is out of control. He barks constantly and nothing we do can settle him, we take him for walks but he does not last long on these outings. He’s in relatively good health and still has control of his bowels. We are at our wits end because he whines, paces and barks from dinner time until he’s passed out from exhaustion, I feel guilty because sometimes I get inpatient with him and I never was before this behavior started. He still knows who we are and is very attached to my husband. He only behaves this way at night but it lasts for hours. I can’t even comprehend putting him down but I don’t want him to suffer. We can’t imagine life without him him but I worry this behavior is a sign that he is suffering somehow. We just can’t seem to settle him and worry if we have to be away somewhere at night while he’s going through this. We love him more than anyone can imagine. Just feel sad he’s so upset in the evening.
Dear Denise,
My heart aches for you and this difficult situation you are in with your senior guy. You are right to be concerned about this nighttime anxiety and his quality of life. It is hard to evaluate how much a dog is struggling when the majority of their issues are mental instead of physical. But I do believe these mental struggles cause as much suffering (if not more) than physical issues can. It is ok to consider euthanasia in your situation and it does not make you a bad pet parent. Everyone in the household is feeling the effects of this anxiety and your quality of life matters too! One thing I always worry about with caregiver fatigue, is that the loving bond between you and your dog can be broken due to stress and hardship. This isn’t fair to either of you. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your sweet boy. Praying for strength and clarity for you and peace and rest for your dog and family.