Signs That a Dog is Reaching the End of Their Life and When to Contact a Vet

Making the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to your faithful canine companion may be unimaginable, but as very few dogs die in their sleep, euthanasia is a very real and kind consideration that many pet parents will face. However, you do not need to go through this upsetting time on your own, as we are here to support you every step of the way.  

How do I know if my dog is reaching the end of their life?  

As your dog nears the end of their life, their health is likely to start deteriorating and they may develop a range of behavioural changes. The signs that you see will vary depending on your dog’s lifestyle and any health conditions they may have.  

Signs that a dog may be reaching the end of their life include: 

• Lethargy – Dogs may start sleeping more, be less active and spend less time playing with their toys. They may also show behavioural changes, including being reluctant to go on walks and stopping greeting you when you return.  

• Decreased mobility – This may show as weakness and loss of coordination, where your dog may start stumbling and tripping and be reluctant to stand or walk. Other dogs may show signs of lameness, pain when getting up after sleeping, and stiffness.  

• Loss of appetite – Your dog may lose their appetite if they are in pain, feeling sick, or due to the side effects of any medications they may be taking.  

• Weight loss – Elderly or unwell dogs may lose weight if they have a poor appetite, problems digesting their food, or due to underlying disease. Regular weight checks will enable you to monitor your pet’s weight and detect any weight loss early.  

• Toileting accidents – Dogs may start having urination and/or faecal accidents inside your home. This may be due to mobility problems, pain making your dog reluctant to move, underlying illness causing excessive urination, side effects of certain medications, or behavioural changes that may occur due to canine cognitive dysfunction (a disease that usually affects older dogs causing brain degeneration, similar to dementia).  

• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea – These are common signs that may occur due to dietary changes, uncontrolled illness, side effects of certain medications and organ failure, which may occur towards the end of your pet’s life. 

• Muscle tremors – Towards the end of a dog’s illness, they may develop muscle tremors due to pain, muscle fatigue, or low blood sugar, especially if they are not eating normally.  

• Vocalisation – Dogs may become increasingly vocal due to pain or canine cognitive dysfunction causing confusion and disorientation.   

• Restlessness or panting – These signs commonly occur if a dog is painful and uncomfortable, but they can also be caused by breathing problems and canine cognitive dysfunction.  

• Breathing changes – This may be seen as shallow, fast breathing or weakened chest movements, which may occur as a dog deteriorates towards the end of their life. Always speak to your vet or to our client care team for advice as soon as you notice any breathing changes.  

If you notice that your dog has started showing any of these signs, you should contact your vet and get them checked; or discuss your concerns with our friendly client care team. Your pet may have developed these signs due to a new health condition or because their medication needs adjusting. However, these signs can also indicate that your pet’s quality of life is deteriorating, and they may be reaching the end of their life.  

Assessing your dog’s quality of life  

When you spend a lot of time with your dog every day, it can be difficult to see subtle changes to their behaviour and notice early signs of deterioration. As your beloved pet reaches the end of their life, our “Is It Time” checklist can help you assess their quality of life and recognise if your dog is struggling.  

The “Is It Time” checklist asks you questions about your dog’s lifestyle and how they are coping, from their current appetite to their mobility and sleeping habits, enabling you to determine if your dog’s quality of life is affected. This means that not only can the checklist be used as a one-off tool to help support your decision when it is time to say goodbye to your pet, but it can also be used weekly, enabling you to easily spot any deterioration and recognise when your dog needs to be rechecked by your vets.  

Keeping your dog comfortable at the end of their life  

As your dog reaches the later parts of their life, you may have to make changes to their lifestyle as they start to slow down and become less active. By making a few simple adjustments at home and ensuring your dog has regular veterinary care you can improve your pup’s quality of life, making sure they are kept comfortable until the end.  

Steps to help keep your dog comfortable: 

• Keep on top of your dog’s pain relief – As their condition progresses, their pain management will often need to be reviewed and adapted frequently, so it is vital that you are in regular contact with your vets to ensure your pet is kept comfortable.  

• Make changes to your dog’s environment to help preserve their mobility – to help their mobility and prevent injuries, cover any slippery flooring with mats and try to keep everything on one floor of the house to avoid your dog having to climb stairs or steps. 

• Provide your dog with the nutritional support they need – For long-term conditions, your vet may recommend changing your dog’s diet to a prescription diet to support their health requirements. However, your pet’s diet may need to be regularly reassessed if their appetite decreases and medications such as anti-sickness or appetite stimulants considered. For some dogs, your vet may recommend placing a feeding tube to ensure your pet gets the nutritional support they need.   

• If your dog is having accidents when toileting, make sure they are kept clean – Their skin will quickly develop painful sores if any soiling is not promptly cleaned after a toileting accident. 

• Keep in regular contact with your vet – As your pet’s condition begins to deteriorate, it is vital that your vet regularly assesses your pet to ensure they are receiving the treatment they need for the best quality of life. As you start to think about the right time to say goodbye to your beloved dog, our compassionate care coordinators are always available to talk you through your options and answer your questions, so you always have support when making decisions for your pet.    

Watching your dog stop doing the things they love can be heartbreaking, but your pet slowing down and changing their pace of life due to illness does not mean that their quality of life needs to be compromised. With diligent veterinary care, you can go on to enjoy valuable time with your beloved companion. It is never easy to say goodbye, but when the time comes, it is important that your pet is not left to suffer, so we are here, alongside your regular vets, to answer your questions and provide you with the support you need.