No one wants to think about getting older. We put it off and then one day we say, “When did I get so old?” Well, the same thing happens with your pets. They age along with us and one day we say, “Wow, when did they get so old?” They can’t tell you when they are getting older or beginning to suffer from the aches and pains that come with ageing. So it’s up to us to pay attention, take care of their health, and prepare for their aging and final days.
The Vet always says, “Since our pets can’t tell us if anything is wrong, we have to pay more attention to them to figure it out.” We do that by scheduling regular Vet visits, both for normal treatments like heartworm medicine, and to let the vet do bloodwork and other diagnostic work. We also pay attention to our pets to see if they are having any trouble walking, getting up and down, eating, or sleeping. If we notice any problems that we can’t resolve as pet owners, we take them to the Vet.
But aging problems can sneak up on you. Your pet may begin to sleep more, eat less, or have some problems getting up and down, climbing stairs, or jumping into the family vehicle. We oftentimes dismiss these as temporary or normal situations and don’t address the problem. But we should as there are often medications that can ease our pets aging problems.
For instance, our eleven-year-old dog is getting up slower than normal. The Vet noticed it also and recommended a monoclonal antibody injection that specifically targets the key driver of osteoarthritis pain. This is something we will consider after we study the side effects and have another discussion with our Vet. We would not have been aware of this option had we not had our dog on regular Vet visits. But your pet’s health is only one of the things to consider about your pet’s aging. The other is their final days and the handling of their passing.
Considering and preparing for your pet’s final days with you can be a very difficult time. You don’t want to lose your pet and the thought of being without them can be hard and very emotional. You will do yourself and your pet a huge favor by thinking about and preparing for this eventuality in advance of their decline.
Think about what is best for your pet and you. Of course you want to keep them alive and with you as long as you can, and that is okay as long as they are happy, healthy, and in no pain. If you are willing to spend the money on the medicines and treatments needed to prolong their pet’s life, and they are living pain free, that is okay. When neither option is realistic then it is time to consider letting them pass away peacefully and pain free.
As you are considering keeping them alive, you should also consider what to do when their time has come. Talk to your Vet about options.
- What do I do next when my pet passes?
- Do I wrap them up and carry them into the clinic?
- What do I do if my pet passes at night, the weekend, or a holiday?
- Do I want my pet cremated or buried?
Some clinics handle procedures like euthanasia and cremation. If your Vet does then make a plan with them. You can discuss what to do if your pet passes away naturally, and a plan to bring your pet in for euthanasia. The plan would also include how you want your pets remains to be handled. With this plan you will know the costs involved and the procedures to follow when the time comes.
If your Vet does not provide euthanasia or cremation services, or you don’t want to or are unable to take your pet to the Vet, there are services that will come to your home to help you with your pet’s passing. These include Lap of Love, 4 Paws Farewell, Sweet Dreams, and more. Just do a web search for “In-home euthanasia.”
Only you will know when it is time for your pet to move on. Your pet will give you signs of their well-being and if they are suffering or in obvious distress, you will know that it is time. Then you can contact your Vet to discuss the timing and the options, and to try and prepare yourself for the time when you will be permanently separated from your loving pet.
If your pet passes away naturally, at least you will have a plan in place to manage how you want to oversee their remains and your memory of them. You will have options about urns, plaques, and jewelry to keep their memory alive and you’re your forever.
Your pet has been an important and loving part of your life, so make their last days with you, and their passing, as positive and loving as possible. And as your grief passes over time, you will look back and remember that you did everything you could for your loving partner who gave you love and support and asked for very little in return. For more information and products for Pets click here: BestSelfHelpSolutions.com. Also check out the Blog Post on the site!
