How to Tell If Your Dog Is Dying: 8 Signs

There are numerous benefits of having a dog, few of which are: they help us live in the present by giving all their attention to us and in return, we also give them our undivided attention. We can’t be anywhere else if we are beside our dogs giving us cuddles.

They are great stress-relievers, aren’t they? They also give us the feeling of being needed, they make us feel important because they need us, owners, to take care of them and make them happy. And they make us happy too. Just patting our dogs trigger the production of oxytocin (the feel-good hormone) in our bodies.

They also make us more social with other dog-owners when we walk them outside. They prevent us from being isolated and encourage us to be more physically active. I guess these reasons are why dogs are the most popular pets worldwide.

Pet-owners acknowledge the fact that dogs have limited time to live. But it doesn’t eliminate the dread of losing them. We treat our pets as family that is why losing them is so heartbreaking. If you have a dog who has a terminal illness in his golden age, this article is for you.

Herewith are the signs you might watch out and the immediate care you may do:

An Early Indication That a Dog Is Terminally Ill:

1. Lethargy

Decrease energy and lack of enthusiasm. 

The dog may:

• Sleep more than usual- may want to sleep a lot. Most probably to conserve energy. May go to areas where it can be at peace with the environment. 
• Shows lack interest in habitual activities- Usual behavior may seem to lessen or disappear. 
• Have poor sanitation- may no longer seem to condition itself as before. 

What to do: 

• Give more time to your dog to rest and sleep. Let it rest as much as it needs. 
• Give a comfortable place to rest. Provide a comfortable bed and blanket. 
• Provide a calm and quiet environment as possible- free from unnecessary noise or other environmental stimuli. 

2. Diminished to No appetite 

Normally seen in terminally ill dogs, especially for dogs with cancer and who are receiving chemotherapy treatments. Due to nausea as a side effect of drugs being received, they tend to be disinterested in eating.

The dog may:           

• Have a dry and sticky mouth due to dehydration
• Not seem to enjoy eating
• Eats a small amount of food less often or may not eat at all due to vomiting.
• Tend to be picking and eat only familiar food

What to do: 

• Provide small frequent meals as possible. – Usually soft and liquid- foods that are easily digested.
• Feed him with his favorite foods – pay close attention to his nutritional needs
• Warm the food you’ll give to make it more palatable and if possible, hand-feed them.
• Consult a vet for medication that could help increase your dog’s appetite

3. Decrease in weight

Slow or sudden loss of weight may be due to degenerative diseases or some types of malignancies.

The dog may: 

• Show changes in the appearance (looks weak and skinny) as a result of severe weakness and body wasting which is commonly known as cachexia. 

What to do: 

• The intervention focuses on food and nutrition. 
• Provide small frequent meals as possible. – Usually soft and liquid- foods that are easily digested.
• Feed him with his favorite foods – pay close attention to his nutritional needs.
• Warm the food you’ll give to make it more palatable and if possible, hand-feed them.
• Consult a vet for medication that could help increase your dog’s appetite.
• Monitor your dog for signs of progression or deterioration.

4. Social Isolation/ detachment

Separating oneself physically and socially.

The dog may: 

• Seem likely to ignore you on whatever you do instead of being excited and curious
• May become clingy but most times tend to seek distance and seeks alone time. 

What to do: 

• Respect the need for rest and quiet environment
• Spend time with your dog, approach them quietly and calmly, touch them gently. 
• Provide a calm and quiet environment as possible- free from unnecessary noise or other environmental stimuli, avoid bright lights as well. 
• Keep them comfortable and warm, place them in a well-ventilated room.  

Impending Indication That a Dog Is Dying:

1. Diminish activity/mobility, Balance Issues

Because of decrease glucose, body weakness can be felt, resulting in muscle twitching spasm.

The dog may: 

• Have a hard time to move. 
• It requires a lot of effort to do a simple task. 
• Starts to stumble as it tries so hard to move about.

What to do: 

• Be sure that its immediate environment is slide proof. 
• Assist when you see them trying to stand 
• Consult your vet, ask if they can provide harnesses or slings for mobility support.

2. Diminish sense of thirst 

Decrease the ability to drink water or diminish swallowing reflex is a dangerous sign for it might lead to severe dehydration. 

 The dog may: 

• Have a hard time to chew hard foods.
• May cough out and or choke in some solid food.
• Be uncomfortable in eating and drinking.
• Not be walking towards his water bowl anymore.

What to do: 

• Provide easier access to food and drinks. Be sure that the water bowl has water in it and is within reach.
• Provide caution in feeding. Observe its ability to swallow.
• Contact a vet if the condition worsens.

3. Bowel Incontinence

Lack of control over urination and defecation due to decrease control on sphincter muscle.

The dog may: 

• Soil easily. Wet at poops on his blanket due to body weakness.

 What to do:

• Provide disposable underpads for the dog to urinate and defecate or place diaper. Check by and by if soiled. Change accordingly.
• Check the output for its appearance, color, and smell. Contact a vet if it is abnormal in color.
• Consult the vet if the condition worsens.

4. Restlessness

Noticeably uneasy with the present condition, anxious, very uncomfortable.

The dog may:

• Exhibits behavioral changes- may pant, may cry, and may try to get up. 
• May need to be reposition at times when in need of something especially if bedridden.

What to do: 

• Pay attention to cues, anticipate their need, try to check and offer it.
• Keep them calm, provide comfort and safety measures.
• Try to reassure them by being with them, talking and touching them gently as possible.
• Consult the vet if symptoms worsen.

5. Pain

Is subjective, but since dogs cannot say it in a way we humans can understand, we must observe for the non-verbal cues:

The dog may: 

• Tend to be restless and agitated, easy to anger and may cry.
• Have changes in vital signs (all are up) 

 What to do: 

• Provide comfort measures and Pain control.
• Give pain medication as ordered.
• Consult a vet if seemed to be unrelieved with meds.

6. Breathing Changes

Changes in breathing patterns are seen due to weakness for the dog’s respiratory muscle to inhale and exhale.

The dog may: 

• May show signs of slower and irregular breathing and may pause between breaths. May use mouth to breathe as well.
• May show fast and shallow and labored breathing when in pain- a common sign in near death.

What to do:  

• Bring your dog to a vet clinic for prompt management and care.

7. Gum color changes

Normal healthy dogs have a noticeable pink gum color.

The dog may: 

• Have its gum turns to pale, bluish to whitish due to poor circulation. 

What to do:

• Consult the vet to provide immediate relief

8. Cooler body temperature

The normal body temperature of a dog is about 38-39 Degrees Celsius (100-102 Degrees Fahrenheit)

The dog may: 

• Have its body temperature to drop hence, cool to touch.

What to do: 

• Provide blankets, keep them warm.
• Consult a vet for medication to be given as needed.

Have the Courage to Say Goodbye

It’s never an easy thing to bid farewell to your dog who became a part of your daily life’s highs and lows. There are times when everyone is so busy wherein you have no one to talk to, no shoulder to cry on, and no emotional support from your friends and loved ones, and all you have is a dog who reminds you that you are not alone in this journey — that someone waits for you and needs you.

It’s one of the most powerful feelings in this world, right? That someone needs you to be strong because they need you. They give you reasons to get up and face life’s challenges. They make each day so special. But what if your dog’s health is now deteriorating because of a terminal illness or old age? Understandably, you would not let go instantly — you’ll face many times of denials.

Holding on to your dog will be the first thing you will do — you’ll try to lengthen his life and it’s understandable, but do you want to see him suffer or just enjoy the last days of his life? I’m sure, you’ll choose the latter even if it’s hard. We have to accept the fact that good days end. Special days end, and that what makes it so special. Here’s how you can get the best out of the remaining days of your dog:

1. Try your best to be okay

Your dog feels your emotions. He knows when you’re sad and miserable. But he needs you now; he needs you to be strong. Show him that you can continue on your own because surely, he wants the best for you!

2. Prepare his favorite meals

Prepare everything your dog wants. You know his favorites, so you know what will make him happy.

3. Spend more time with him

Life is so demanding that sometimes, we are too busy to give enough time with our dogs. So, take these remaining days to play with him.

4. Be sensitive to his needs

Prepare the resources needed to reduce the suffering of your dog. Prepare the pain killer medications and other essentials prescribed by your veterinarian.

5. If your dog is saying goodbye, let go.

Euthanasia may be your last resort, but it is for the best. Our goal here is to have quality time, not a long but full of suffering time. Remember, quality not quantity. Bring him to your veterinarian, and trust the process, let go. 

Losing a pet is one of the worst feelings in this world. But we have to deal with it. It might leave you with unbearable pain but do yourself a favor and find something productive to put your energy into. After taking good care of him, know that it is not your fault that he is gone. Do not blame yourself because your dog thinks otherwise; he thinks that you’re the most amazing thing that happened in his life. No one fully recovers from a loss, but every day, it gets better.