Euthanasia
Few dogs die of old age on their own, and the same is true of cats that have reached a certain age and already survived life’s many hazards.
The first reason to consider euthanasia is therefore failing health and a poor outlook. This painful decision is made at the point when the animal’s quality of life slips away.
Another reason for euthanasia is aggression that is dangerous and cannot be put right.
Behaviour of this kind puts other people’s safety at risk. Euthanasia in these circumstances always leaves a bitter taste, even when it is clearly the right course.
Such situations can often be avoided by socialising the animal properly from a very young age, and by heading off aggressive behaviour at the very first signs, with the help of professional animal trainers.
Sadly, this is harder to achieve in cats than in dogs.
As hard as it is to make, the decision to euthanise can be seen as a relief for the animal. Sparing a lifelong companion from suffering that is becoming unbearable is, in truth, a final kindness.
By contrast, relentlessly prolonging the life of an animal that is near its end and in pain is, deep down, putting our own feelings before its wellbeing.
As a rule, you and your vet will talk together about the right moment for putting your companion peacefully to sleep. Your vet can help you find your bearings in this decision and offer some guidance.
Euthanasia is carried out with a high dose of anaesthetic agents that send the animal to sleep, beyond the level of ordinary anaesthesia. The vital functions then gently cease, and the animal feels no pain.
The body is then usually cremated. The law does allow burial, provided the animal weighs no more than 10 kg. Even so, it is not always easy to dig a hole deep enough to keep wild animals from digging it up.
In most cases, then, the vet takes care of delivering the animal’s body to a cremation centre.
You can ask for the ashes to be returned, though this is costly and takes time, since the cremation is then carried out individually, at specialist crematoria.
The days that follow a euthanasia are the hardest. It often helps to put away the belongings of the pet you have lost and, above all, to let time pass.
Some people want a new companion straight away, while others prefer to wait a little. That is normal, and everyone is different.
Some feel a pang of guilt or doubt, or are suddenly struck by the loss of their animal; in these moments, your vet is always there to listen.
Their support around a euthanasia does not end when the animal’s life does, but carries on beyond it too, for as long as the owner wishes.