How To Know When It's Time -- a Discussion on Pet Euthanasia

Your pet means the world to you, and facing the decision on when it's time to euthanize him or her is a very stressful, emotional time. There is no right answer to "when it is time" -- but there are some guiding factors to help you make this difficult decision.

Dr. Melissa Heenan discusses this sad but important topic in the following video. She explains how when your decisions are made out of love, there really can be no wrong decision. When faced with whether or not to euthanize your pet, it is important to remain objective. She recommends determining your pet's favorite 3-4 things to do, then creating a calendar to track if he or she is doing those things on a daily basis. These could be as simple as jumping on the couch, or running to fetch a ball, or using the litterbox. Monitoring your pet's habits and activities closely will help you determine if they are still enjoying a quality of life.

She also discusses your options post euthanasia -- burial, private or group cremation, and offers suggestions on mementos and other ways to memorialize your beloved pet.