In a 2025 pet grief survey by the UK animal welfare charity RSPCA, nearly 40% of owners said it was hard to know when to choose euthanasia. The RSPCA's head vet says vets are there to help, and owners are not expected to decide on their own.
RSPCAHow do I know when it is time?
If you are struggling right now, you can talk to someone.
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This needs your vet’s judgement. This page only shares other owners’ experiences and public information. It is not medical advice.
What people do around the world
「I keep struggling over when to let my dog go, while my family feels doing it too early is killing him.」
Oct 2026Original post・Reddit
Ask yourself if the good days still outnumber the bad
a question the RSPCA suggests owners ask
RSPCA「The vet said my old dog is waiting for my decision, and I spent all day agonizing over euthanasia.」
Oct 2026Original post・Bluesky
If you think your dog is suffering, ask your vet
advice from the PDSA
PDSA「My 15-year-old dog slowly declined for two years, then suddenly got worse, and today may be the day I let them go.」
Oct 2026Original post・Bluesky
Mark good days and bad days on a calendar
advice from the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center
The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, Honoring the Bond Program「My 14-year-old dog had joint pain for years and late-stage dementia, so I decided on euthanasia.」
Oct 2026Original post・Bluesky
Use a quality-of-life scale for your dog and yourself
advice from an Ohio State pet loss social worker
The Ohio State University「My old dog can't move, cries all night, and needs help eating and toileting. I'm exhausted and considering euthanasia.」
Oct 2026Original post・Yahoo!知恵袋
The vet, the dog's condition and the owner decide together
explained by a veterinary oncologist in an interview
TVBS 健康2.0「My bedridden 18-year-old dog cries at night, and I'm scared it's a sign the end is near.」
Oct 2026Original post・note
The vet offers options; the family agrees, then the owner decides
from a book by a pet loss researcher
文春オンライン「My dog is nearly 20, with weak back legs and diapers at night; I listed quality-of-life points and contacted an at-home euthanasia service.」
Oct 2026Original post・vocus
「My old dog has a lung tumor and heart trouble. She's coughing and restless, and I'm thinking about stopping her meds.」
Oct 2026
「I just learned today my old dog has heart disease, and the vet mentioned euthanasia as one option.」
Oct 2026
Updated 29 Oct 2026.