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Keep your senior dog happy and healthy during its final years

Damian Battersby, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Advice for when you find a stray dog in your neighborhood

jme Thomas
Executive Director

When is putting your dog to sleep the right thing for your dog?

Dr. Cathy Alinovi
Owner of Hoofstock Veterinary Service

Keep your dog happy and comfortable in its last days

Dr. Annie Forslund, DVM
Pet Hospice Veterinarian

Death and Loss of a Dog

It is as natural and necessary to grieve the loss of a dog as it is for any loved one who dies. After all, they are a valued member of your family and your best friend. Deciding whether or not to put your elderly or sick canine to sleep, coping with the loss the family best friend, helping your child through the difficult loss, and honoring your dog’s memory to its fullest, ExpertBeacon is here to help. When your dog is hit by a car or runs away, it can be particularly devastating for the whole family. Look to our veterinarians, grief counselors, and animal experts to help you through the grieving and euthanization process.

Keep your senior dog happy and healthy during its final years

Just as with people, our aging pets eventually become senior citizens. When a dog reaches 7-8 years of age, veterinarians will usually begin to refer to him or her as a senior pet. There is some variation to this practice, as large breeds, such as Great Danes typically have a shorter life expectancy than small dogs, such as a Chihuahua. No matter what, it is a fact of life that our four-legged friends age much more quickly than we do. With that in mind, there are a number of important things you should do to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.

When is putting your dog to sleep the right thing for your dog?

Deciding when to euthanize your dog is certainly the hardest decision of any dog parent’s life - when is it time to let your baby go, how to put them down, how to be sure it’s right, and how to not feel guilty for loving your dog. Quality of life is the most important measurement - when quality of life deteriorates, then there are things to think about.

Advice for when you find a stray dog in your neighborhood

Finding a stray dog in your neighborhood is a situation many people don’t know how to properly handle. Before approaching the dog, trying to catch it (to see if it has a dog tag), or introducing the dog to your other pets, you need to be sure that the dog is not a threat to your own safety. You also should know what types of rescues and animal shelters are in your area so that they can possibly house the dog until the owner is found. Taking the stray dog to a veterinarian or shelter is also recommended because they can check for a microchip and link the dog to its owner.

Keep your dog happy and comfortable in its last days

As dog owners, nothing is more important than to know that your best friend is happy and comfortable in his last days. Yet, pets are experts at hiding their pain, discomfort and illnesses, which results in old pets suffering much more than their owners are aware of. What can you do to ensure that you see through your canine’s stoicism? What signs do you look for to know if you need the help of your veterinarian or if it’s time to say goodbye?

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Death and Loss of a Dog