Like all other members of the family, our dogs unfortunately do not last forever .

And while it’s never pleasant to think about their end of life , the time will inevitably come when you too will have to say goodbye to your companion.

Whether your dog is suffering from a life-threatening illness or is simply aging , he may begin to show signs that his life is coming to an end.

Recognizing these signs will help you and your family prepare and make arrangements to provide the best possible end of life.

We will give you an overall overview of how to manage this ordeal and offer you solutions to improve your dog’s quality of life during its final days.

 

Dog at the end of life: The signs

Although every dog ​​is different, there are some common signs that can alert you that your pet’s end of life is near.

If you’re wondering, ” Is my dog ​​dying? ” monitor your companion’s behavior for these common signs that may indicate a dog is dying .

1. Loss of interest

When a dog is nearing the end of his life, he may begin to lose interest in the things and people around him.

For example, he may no longer be interested in the people he loves or his favorite treats and toys .

Your dog may also become completely unresponsive to you or your family members.

A common reason why dogs lose interest in things around them when they die is because their brain functions begin to shut down.

They may also be too weakened or in too much pain to react with interest.

In any case, always keep in mind that if your dog seems to lose interest in things, it does not mean that he no longer loves you.

His love for you hasn’t disappeared. He just doesn’t have the energy to show it in the same way anymore.

2. Extreme fatigue or loss of energy

One of the most common signs of a dog nearing the end of its life is a significant loss of energy .

Typically, a dying dog will lie down in one place without moving much. This place can be a quiet corner of your home or a secluded spot .

Besides, it may not be a place where he usually sleeps .

Be careful , however, not to confuse a dog at the end of its life with a dog that is getting old .

If your dog continues to move from one area of ​​your house to another, but more slowly, it may also simply be a sign of old age .

Especially if your dog has a chronic illness .

If your dog is less alert but is not showing other signs of dying, consult your veterinarian to see if another factor is involved.

3. Loss of bladder and bowel control

When a dog is nearing the end of its life, it often loses control of its bladder and bowels. This is usually a sign that its organs are starting to shut down.

This can lead to your dog peeing or pooping anywhere.

Additionally, even if your dog is very well trained, he may not have the energy to get up and do his business. If your dog cannot control his bladder, be sure to provide him with good hygiene to improve his end of life.

A dog at the end of its life or an elderly dog ​​that drinks a lot may indeed cause a few minor accidents.

Change or wash your dog’s bed when it gets dirty and keep your dog clean to prevent sores from developing.

Although it can be difficult to care for a dog who cannot control his bladder or bowels, know that this happens regularly.

Try to remain patient and calm , remembering that your dog cannot control himself at this stage.

4. Change or loss of appetite

A dying dog experiences changes in appetite.

This may cause him to become less hungry or stop eating altogether. No matter what food or treats you offer him, a dog who has lost his appetite will usually refuse both food and water .

And unfortunately, the closer your dog is to the end of his life, the less appetite he will have. If your dog is not eating at all, chances are he is close to the end.

As your dog’s digestive organs shut down, he will no longer feel the sensation of hunger or thirst.

Visible weight loss will often accompany this decrease in appetite, and even if your dog continues to consume food or water, he may experience digestive issues.

In addition to an inability to control its bowels , a dying dog may vomit after eating or drinking.

Be careful , if your dog is not able to keep water down, he may become dehydrated.

During the end of his life, try to keep him as hydrated as possible . Continue to offer him food and water, but do not force him to eat or drink if he is unable to do so.

Please note: A dog sometimes experiences a natural decrease in appetite as it ages or is sick, which does not necessarily mean that it is at the end of its life. If your dog is still eating but in smaller quantities, check with your veterinarian that it is not sick.

5. Different breathing

When a dog is at the end of its life, it may have difficulty breathing.

You may also notice that your dog seems to have difficulty catching his breath, and that his breathing is irregular. The time between each inhalation and exhalation may also lengthen.

If your dog is breathing strangely, he may be near the end.

 

Dog at the end of life: Diagnosis

Whether your dog is exhibiting one or more of these symptoms, it is essential not to jump to conclusions and to make an appointment with the vet.

Never forget that you know your dog better than anyone.

If anything seems abnormal or you suspect he is nearing the end of his life, see a veterinarian to get the proper diagnosis of what is going on.

Knowing what your dog is suffering from will give you the keys to relieving it, helping it, improving its quality of life and managing its end of life as best as possible if this is the case.

 

Dog at the end of its life: How to help it?

Is your dog actually at the end of his life? Then the best thing to do is to try to make it as pleasant as possible.

Although it can be frustrating and difficult to manage symptoms like vomiting or loss of bladder control, remain patient with your pet.

Also, follow these tips if your dog is at the end of its life.

1. Stay close to him

Many dogs will seek comfort during this time and may desire extra attention and care .

Sit with your dog and pet him as much as you can.

Talk to your dog in a soothing voice and tell him everything will be okay.

Send him positive vibes. Dogs are very sensitive to our emotions, so it can be scary and anxiety-provoking for your companion to see you sad next to him.

Your dog may also feel guilty if he senses you are unhappy without understanding why.

Try to remain calm and comforting , while showing him love and kindness.

Even if your dog doesn’t respond to your affection, he will still feel and appreciate your presence and comfort.

2. Don’t confront your dog with the unknown

Do not introduce your dog to strangers or take him to explore new places .

Try to keep your dog in places where he is comfortable and avoid introducing him to new places.

New places can cause overstimulation and can become a source of stress for a dog who is already confused.

Also avoid having new people around your dog, as this can also disorient him .

When people interact with your dog, make sure they are gentle and kind .

Be especially careful with children and other people who may not understand the situation.

It may be helpful to explain to friends and family that your dog is getting older and will no longer be able to play in the same way.

3. Maintain normal activities as long as possible

As your dog gets older, continue to walk and play with him as long as he is able.

As your dog’s health deteriorates, he may no longer be able to participate in these activities as much or as rigorously, but he will still enjoy his daily routine .

Dogs are naturally not fond of changes . This is even more true for dogs at the end of their life.

So lead a normal life with a fixed routine and monitor your dog’s behavior so as not to push him to do what he is no longer capable of.

In short, adapt your habits to his abilities, and stay attentive .

4. Ask your veterinarian for advice

If your dog is near the end of his life, medications may be helpful to control his symptoms or relieve his pain .

Sick dogs can usually live longer with medication and proper care. Medication can also relieve some of the symptoms a dog experiences when it is dying, such as vomiting or shaking.

Consult your veterinarian to see if medication or treatment can help your dog.

However, keep in mind that medications and treatments cannot prevent your dog from dying, they can only improve the quality of his or her final life.

5. Soothe your dog with natural solutions

However, conventional medications usually come with their own set of problems .

To avoid harmful side effects on dogs’ health, more and more dog owners are turning to natural solutions . This is particularly the case with CBD .

Many dog ​​parents actually use this hemp extract for its calming and soothing benefits.

It can in fact be particularly useful for dogs at the end of their life for:

• Ease the pain
• Alleviate stress related to illness
• Improve appetite
• Reduce nausea and vomiting
• Improve sleep quality
• Promote mobility & support joints
• Strengthen natural defenses
• Improve mood

CBD is therefore a global alternative , which will improve your dog’s quality of life at the end of its life, in a gentle and natural way .