Putting your dog to sleep: how do you cope?

It can be hard to think of when your dog is bouncy, full of life and full of fun. But the death of a pet is an almost inevitable part of pet ownership. The pet’s lifespan is much shorter than ours, so we have to come to terms with the fact that he won’t always be there.

It’s always hard to take, but can be a bit easier if your dog has had a long and happy life. If he has reached a good old age for a dog, and is now beginning to fail, you can accept that the last kindness you can do for him is put him gently to sleep. It’s much harder to accept if he’s a young, healthy dog who has met with a horrible accident. But it’s still necessary to be strong and agree to put him out of his suffering.

The best person to decide whether the time has come to put your dog to sleep is the vet. Don’t ever think the vet will do this unless it’s absolutely necessary. But the vet is best placed to make a professional decision. You may well be in too much of an emotional state and feel desperate to keep your pet alive even if it’s not in his best interests.

Will your pet dog insurance pay for the euthanasia? Most pet dog insurance providers don’t cover this, because it is seen as inevitable, or almost inevitable. When you have just gone through the trauma of losing your dog, it can seem like the last straw to receive a bill for it.

Some pet dog insurance providers will cover the cost of euthanasia and cremation if your dog has to be put to sleep before a certain age – usually 8 or 10. After this specified age they may still cover the cost if the euthanasia is because of an accident, but not when it is the result of an illness.

So if you feel this could help you cope when the time comes, look for a pet dog insurance policy that includes this cover. The premiums may be a little bit higher, but just to ease the pain many people feel it is worth while.