How do you know when a dog is suffering?
If your dog is in pain they may:
How do you know when a dog is near the end of life?
Be sure to tell them if you’re noticing the following signs, which could mean your dog’s time is nearing an end: Pain and discomfort. Loss of appetite.
Lack of Appetite and Not Eating
Lack of appetite is common at the end of life. Dogs who feel sick often dont want to eat, and some medications may cause your dog to lose his sense of smell or taste, making food less appealing. To increase your dogs interest in food, try offering foods with a strong aroma so he can smell them better. You can also warm his food to increase the scent.
Your veterinarian can also prescribe an appetite stimulant to improve your dogs desire to eat. If it is suspected that your dog might be nauseous, an antiemetic such as Cerenia may be prescribed to help him feel better.
Dogs at the end of their lives frequently lose interest in their favorite things, from walks and toys to treats and even their beloved owners. At first it might just appear that your dog is sleeping more, but as you pay more attention you will notice that he is no longer doing things like greeting you at the door or wagging his tail when you tease him with a favorite toy.
Dogs with mobility challenges may become frustrated by no longer being able to do the things they enjoyed, which can lead to depression.
Breathing is controlled by muscles and nerves, and is not immune to the slow breakdown of your dogs body. Your dog may start showing abnormal breathing patterns, with his respiratory rate fluctuating up and down even when he is at rest. He may stop breathing periodically and then resume again.
Signs of difficulty breathing include open-mouthed breathing, stretching his head and neck out straight while the rest of his body is still, or moving his abdomen in and out as he breathes. This is an emergency and should be treated immediately.
Some dogs may begin to experience seizures at the end of their lives. This can be due to metabolic imbalances from conditions such as kidney failure or due to problems with the brain itself. Depending on the cause and its severity, these seizures may or may not respond to treatment. A seizure that lasts more than 10 minutes or seizures that occur in clusters one after another are emergencies.
RELATED: Signs Your Dog Might Be Having a Seizure
10 Critical Signs that Indicates Your Dog is Dying
It is relatively rare for a dog to pass away suddenly and without warning. Its much more likely there will be some signs your dog is dying, especially if it has been unwell for a while. Whether you choose to let a pet die in peace at home or have them humanely euthanized, its helpful to be aware of the signs that will help you understand how to tell if your dog is dying.