# Euthanizing a pet dog. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 7, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641 "2011-06-07T17:54:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/21 "2011-06-07T20:45:06Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Why no feelings? Eh… we just don’t. Sorry. > > I grew up with a dog and was closer to her than my siblings, and when she was put to sleep it didn’t make a dent in my feelings. > > Sorry. I think he means why do you have a dog if you don’t have much in the way of feelings for it. I never would have adopted my cats or my dog if I wasn’t an animal lover who felt like my life was improved by their presence so I can’t see why someone who doesn’t like them at all would have one in the first place. That being said, I think putting the dog down is your best option at this point. No living thing deserves to be sliding into dementia and left crapping and vomiting on itself and it is good of you to realize that. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/22 "2011-06-07T21:18:06Z")
I second putting the dog down. Its quality of life sucks. We’re struggling with the decision now of when to put our 6.5 year Golden Retriever down, due to a tumor interfering with her breathing. Her quality of life still seems good and she doesn’t seem to be in pain, but she’s been deteriorating. It won’t be much longer, I fear. We’re committed to not letting her suffer. But if she was doing what your dog is doing now, we’d put her down without hesitation. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/23 "2011-06-07T21:27:23Z")
Deciding to put a dog down is not the same as having no feelings for it. When a dog is unhappy, the best thing you can do for it is to put it out of its misery and stop the pain. You might take it to the vet to see what is wrong with it, but at that age surgery might hurt worse than it helps. We put our border collie/Cocker mix down a year ago. He was 14, and for the first time in his life stopped enjoying his food. He was having a hard time getting up to follow my wife around. We maybe waited too long if anything, but he never once went in the house - he wouldn’t do that to us. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/24 "2011-06-07T21:32:22Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > At this age el doggy… > > -craps and vomits all over the place > -craps and vomits in his crate > -winds up in his crate because he has a bad temper he never had before > -winds up in his crate because he craps and vomits all over the house after being kept in the house because he wanders the neighborhood and stands in front of cars/trucks that he used to run from Based on this is sounds like Fido is probably ready to go to the big dog house in the sky. I can’t imagine a vet arguing with this. When one of our very senior cats had reached the end of his life we just brought him in and said it was time. The vet was very kind and did the deed with no questioning or whatever. I think it it was a young, healthy animal they may balk, but a senior citizen pet they usually don’t make a fuss. ---
**Author:** ![Kalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/df705f/32.png) [@Kalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalypso)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/25 "2011-06-07T21:35:56Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > I find that almost impossible to believe. If money was so important, why spend the couple of hundred dollars instead of giving the dog away? Now she’s out $1400 or so. It’s a mentality. I knew someone who sawed up his fancy expensive bed and put it in the trash because no one would buy it and he wouldn’t give it away. **Philster** , I also agree that it’s time for your dog to be euthanized, and you shouldn’t worry that the vet will think you heartless at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/26 "2011-06-07T21:37:42Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Why no feelings? Eh… we just don’t. Sorry. I think the “Why?” was more like “Why have a dog if you aren’t pet people?” ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/27 "2011-06-07T21:40:26Z")
Yeah…unless you have a dog for some practical purpose the only practical purpose is as a “companion animal” if you don’t feel any attachment to the dog I don’t actually see what enjoyment you would get out of owning one. Quite the converse actually, even healthy house broken dogs require maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/28 "2011-06-07T22:26:00Z")
Vets are professional. Even if you were a heartless person, they don’t care, they have a job to do. I recall after my mum died, I had to take my dog and cat to the vet and have them put down. When the vet asked why, I told him, “I have to leave the house and I can’t just let them sit in a house and die, no one is there to take care of them.” I couldn’t take them as I had no where to live, so he said “OK,” and then he asked if I wanted to stay with them, which I did. I figured they were my buddies so the least I could do is stay with them while they were going to die. The shelters refused to take them as they were older animals and they said, there was no chance of them getting adopted, so they’d be put down in a few days anyway. That was in 1980 and the few no-kill shelters around wouldn’t take them either. It’s hard but life sometimes only gives you one choice. ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/29 "2011-06-07T23:07:16Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Thanks… maybe I do have some basic feelings… but overstated the point to drive home that this won’t be hard to do for us. > > I just have this fear that the vet will spot me as some heartless owner who just wants to get rid of an inconvenience, when I can actually see the dog’s real lack of a quality existence. I actually feel bad for dogs that live in misery because their owners can suck it up and euthanize them. I’m going to vote with others that the vet won’t second guess your decision given what you’ve said. The dog is older and is failing. It’s time. However, do you really care all that much what the vet thinks? You may never see him or her again, and they’ve likely seen a _lot_ worse. I’m not saying that to be snarky–quite the opposite. I do know what it’s like to be judged by people who think you should have let the pet live longer. I put a dog down when she was just starting to fall apart because I didn’t think it was fair to her to let her linger while unhappy. She wasn’t in horrible pain, but it was obvious she was no longer happy even if she hadn’t reached absolute misery yet. Yeah, people expressed disapproval because I didn’t let the dog reach rock bottom on the misery scale. Too bad for them. It wasn’t their dog or their choice. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/30 "2011-06-07T23:26:00Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Just wondering if the dog has been to the vet - extreme changes in vomiting/defecation and temperament can be signs of serious illness but might be treatable. I’m also curious as to how long this has been going on. A week or two, and it’s time to take the dog to the vet to see what’s going on. More than that, and I’m seriously wondering _why_ you haven’t taken them yet-- humans and dogs die from symptoms like this, and it’s a miserable way to live for both parties. If it’s treatable and can lead to a humane continuation of life, then I’d go for it; otherwise, it’s time for euthanization. That said, I’ve seen situations where folks have just let their dog suffer until it was way past the point of them dying with any dignity whatsoever. When a dog can’t function as a happy and healthy member of the pack, it’s time to find a solution. If it’s due to old age issues like arthritis/seizures/major health problems, then it’s time to euthanize. You’re currently at that point. > [@Kalypso](#): > > It’s a mentality. I knew someone who sawed up his fancy expensive bed and put it in the trash because no one would buy it and he wouldn’t give it away. I call this kind of behavior the “selfish jerk” syndrome. 😛 It does nobody any good to destroy items that can still be put to good use, even if you don’t want them. It’s baffling and a little appalling to me, but it exists-- there are people that are so attached to the “my stuff/can’t give it away” mentality that they will guarantee that nobody else can have it. I just hope they’re not like that with their relationships too. ---
**Author:** ![justpassingthrough](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bcef8e/32.png) [@justpassingthrough](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justpassingthrough)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/31 "2011-06-07T23:36:26Z")
Adding to the chorus saying call the vet for an appointment. I recently did this with a cat only slightly older than your bichon. The hardest part was overcoming my own reluctance to make the final decision. The process itself is very quick, the dog won’t suffer. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/32 "2011-06-08T00:03:01Z")
As an animal welfare advocate, I’d vote for euthanization as soon as possible. You said you owned the dog for 13/14 years, yet have no feelings (okay, _some_ feelings)? No scratching behind the ears, “good dog”, petting? Nothing like that? (or did I miss it upthread?). And you grew up with a dog that you were closer with than your siblings and then no feelings one way or the other when it died. Sorry if I sound incredulous, but I can’t wrap my head around that. Be that as it may, yes, by all means euthanize this poor animal, but then please consider if you or your wife would want to have another pet. Good luck! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/33 "2011-06-08T00:30:45Z")
As a vet tech who works at both a no-kill shelter and at an ER, I’ll add my vote for euthanasia. I’m a big fan of quality of life, for both the pet and the pet owner. Even if the old dog has a treatable condition, if it will be a lengthy or expensive treatment, euthanasia is the lowest-cost option and is not a bad decision, IMO. It sounds like the sooner, the better. If you’ve made the determination it’s time, please don’t delay. I really don’t think you’ll have any problems at the hospital. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/34 "2011-06-08T00:37:10Z")
You have no feelings for this dog? Why are you allowing him to live this miserable existence? Is the cost of euthanasia too much for you? He is shitting himself and vomiting his food. He is crying in pain… dogs are usually pretty stoic. He is old and probably becoming senile (behaviour changes) . What more are you looking for? Do \*you \*think he has quality of life? I do not think a vet will question your decision to humanely end the life of an elderly dog who is suffering. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/35 "2011-06-08T00:49:09Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > I have not one iota of feeling(s) for pets. There is no emotional attachment. My wife and I are tied at “0” on a scale of 0-10, … Why do you have a dog, now? I am a 10 as a Dog Person (10 being if I walk into a house with a mangy old dog and a newborn baby, I fuss over the dog), and I would have the dog put down. My last vet would strongly encourage me to make sure the dog’s shots were up to date and recommend x-rays, blood work, and probably an MRI if there were any excuse for it. This vet recommended expensive treatment for two animals with obviously (to a vet) fatal illnesses. So stand firm if you believe this is best for the dog. [Let me be clear - I am so angry about that vet because I have great respect for the profession in general.] ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/36 "2011-06-08T01:10:41Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > Yeah…unless you have a dog for some practical purpose the only practical purpose is as a “companion animal” if you don’t feel any attachment to the dog I don’t actually see what enjoyment you would get out of owning one. I’m stumped, too. Unless the Bichon was, I don’t know, helping out during hunting season, pulling sleds, bringing cocoa to people lost out in the harsh winter climate, what’s the point in having it except as a companion? And as with everyone else, I advocate just calling the first vet in the book and getting it put down. People have put down animals for less, and often for the right reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/37 "2011-06-08T01:29:10Z")
Why we have a dog: The short version \>Wife is a widow. I am her second husband \>Her first husband came home with a dog. He wanted it. She didn’t. \>They had kids when dog was a puppy/younger. \>Wife’s first husband passes away. \>Wife keeps dog, of course \>Fast forward to “us” \>Dog lives with us. \>I do not get any emotional connection to pets, nor does she. One golden rule in life for me: NO PETS. Useless burden (to me) \>She has tolerated the dog and been ethical, as have I. Poopentsein, as I call him, gets attention from all four kids we have. Now… the two people (us) who have no feelings for pets wonder, “Gee, are we considering euthanasia because we have no emotional connection, or because we are being more objective?” Mix this with, “Cripes, will the Vet expect us to be broken up over this and call it off?” Okay, maybe I am being paranoid about the latter point, but posting this thread has addressed the former point about us wondering if we are approaching this right. Your feedback has been helpful, and I truly believe we are being objective and ethical. . ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/38 "2011-06-08T02:04:00Z")
The upshot is the same whether you care about the dog or not. Unless a vet can restore the quality of life for this dog (and he/she can’t), its time to put him out of his misery. 13/14 years is the lifespan of a Bichon Frise. ---
**Author:** ![RedWood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f08c70/32.png) [@RedWood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedWood)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/39 "2011-06-08T03:45:11Z")
Give the dog the last gift you can: a dignified painless end. You have done the best you can. I wish it was permitted to do that for humans. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641/40 "2011-06-08T13:54:20Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > I find that almost impossible to believe. If money was so important, why spend the couple of hundred dollars instead of giving the dog away? Now she’s out $1400 or so. I’ve known a number of people exhibiting this attitude. A neighbor of mine was moving a few years ago. He had a yard/garage sale to get rid of stuff he wasn’t going to take with him. At the end of the day, I stopped over and offered to help him load what remained onto my utility trailer, which I would haul to the local Salvation Army type store. He refused. If he couldn’t get cash for the stuff, he’d rather burn it. So he carried the stuff around to his back yard and made a fire. He had to tend the fire, deal with nasty smoke, etc. The next day he had to clean up the ash, moving it by wheelbarrow into the woods. Oh, and at least in this area, euthanasia and cremation of a small dog runs around $50. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanizing-a-pet-dog/584641.md?page=3)