Dog End of Life: Signs That Your Dog is Dying
Dog End of Life: When It’s Time To Say Goodbye
One of the saddest things about owning a dog is the fact most of us will outlive our beloved pets. With their shorter lifespans, the dog end of life stage can often occur at just seven to ten years for some of the shortest-living dog breeds.
Just like humans, a dog’s health will deteriorate as they get older. Although some dogs age gracefully without too many serious health issues, other canines may suffer from debilitating illnesses and diseases that can seriously affect their quality of life. This is why dog lovers often face the dilemma — knowing when the time is right to say goodbye.
Ten Signs Your Dog Is Dying
While we prefer the idea of our pup passing away naturally and peacefully, in reality, for dogs with terminal or chronic illnesses, the end is anything but. A dog can often endure days of pain and anxiety before they finally pass over the rainbow bridge. This is why vets offer euthanasia (or putting the pup to sleep for a nicer term) as a humane solution.
No one wants to make their pet suffer. Hence, learning to spot the dog end of life signs can help you make a more informed decision. Your vet will also be able to advise you on whether there is any hope for your pooch.
Here are 10 signs that your senior dog is dying — some of which may be a symptom signifying the start of their end-of-life journey, and others, the end of your pup’s life is more imminent.
Emotional and Behavioral Changes
Elderly dog signs of dying from a behavioral point of view vary — some could become restless, irritable, or even emotionally detached from their family. Another sign is showing a general lack of interest in anything, including other animals they may share the home with.
Depression or anxiety can indicate your pooch is in pain. These mood swings can manifest as aggression — even the most placid dogs could snap unexpectedly, or not tolerate things they were previously okay with, and maybe growl unnecessarily. This is a fear and defense response from your pooch. Maybe they’re scared you’ll stroke them in a place where the pain is, or something is going to hurt them more.
On the plus side, the fact they have the energy to be irritable and sometimes aggressive shows your pup may not be quite as close to death as you may fear — senior dogs in their final stages can be quite listless.
Extreme Lethargy
Often mistaken for depression, one of the canine signs of dying can be a generally lethargic nature.
Dogs who are near their end of life rarely move around much. Maybe your dog doesn’t play as much as usual, spends most of the day lying around, and refuses to go for walks or invitations to play.
Change or Loss of Appetite
Another end of life dog behavior can be a change in your pup’s appetite, simply refusing to eat, or becoming overly fussy about their food. This can be the result of feeling sick or meds, which may cause them to lose their sense of smell and taste.
Admittedly, a loss of appetite can be a sign of many conditions — diseases/illnesses, even stress can cause a change in eating habits. What we’re looking at are unexplained changes in appetite in dogs coupled with other symptoms such as old age. You may also want to take notice if your dog’s water intake changes.
The appetite and water intake of a dog who is close to death will gradually decline as the pup’s body starts to close down.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Although rarer than many of the other signs that your dog may be dying, many dogs develop stomach issues when they reach the end of their days — particularly those with kidney or liver complications.
As a dog nears the end of their life, their digestive systems don’t work as well, commonly resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. The nausea that often goes with gastrointestinal distress can further mess up your pup’s appetite.
With many causes, it’s best to speak to your vet as soon as you notice any symptoms. Ensure to keep your dog hydrated if they’re experiencing gastric upset, the diarrhea can often cause severe dehydration. Your vet may be able to prescribe an appetite stimulant or some medication that reduces nausea.
Weight Loss
Weight loss can be very common in older dogs — it’s part of aging. As their bodies get older a dog’s system becomes less efficient at digesting protein, causing them to lose muscle mass. Changing your pup’s diet with more easily digestible proteins can often slow down the weight loss in the senior years.
However, it becomes a concern in older dogs when they lose a lot of weight in a short time, even if they’re still eating their usual meals. Rapid weight loss can, unfortunately, be an indicator of underlying complications such as kidney failure or liver failure. You must seek the advice of your vet as soon as you notice any rapid weight change in your dog.
Changes in Dog Gum Color
Symptoms of a dying dog often include discoloration of the pup’s gums, especially in their final few days, caused by their internal organs not functioning correctly. However, your vet will be able to advise you further whether the color change is symptomatic of a fatal disease or something that can be treated.
Blue gums — can indicate that not enough oxygen is being circulated in their bloodstream. There could be potential problems with your pup’s lungs or heart including congestive heart failure.
White or pale gums — can be the result of insufficient blood flow and a common sign of blood loss, maybe internally if you can’t see any signs externally. Alternatively, white gums can be a sign of anemia, which may hint at dietary problems and other underlying issues.
Bright red gums — in senior dogs can be a sign of heatstroke — they’re too hot due to their inability to control their body temperature when close to death.
Lower Body Temperature
One of the signs a dog is nearing end of life is the loss of ability to regulate their core body temperature.
Dogs who are extremely close to death, in the final days, will have a much lower body temperature and lower blood pressure too. Just be sure to consider the conditions before you start to think the worst, if you’re in a cooler climate, your pooch may just be too cold.
Monitor your pup’s temperature. You could also help warm them up by using blankets/bedding, heated mats/beds, or a hot water bottle. You should call your vet if you don’t notice any improvement.
Circulatory Shutdown and Pulmonary (Breathing) Issues
As your pooch gets older, you may start to notice abnormal breathing patterns. Breathing is controlled by your dog's muscles and nerves and isn’t immune to the aging process of these vital systems.
Senior dog end-of-life symptoms often include a recurring cough caused by weakness. This results from a failing heart and the poor circulation of oxygenated blood throughout their system. Your pup may even start panting or have difficulty drawing a normal breath even when at rest due to respiratory complications, which can be secondary to heart failure.
Signs to watch out for include:
Your pooch is breathing with a wide open mouth.
Stretching their head and neck out to breathe more while the rest of the body remains stationary.
Heavy breathing — you can see their abdomen moving up and down as they inhale/exhale.
If you notice your pooch struggling to breathe, it’s a medical emergency and you should seek the immediate attention of a vet.
Lack of Coordination and Involuntary Twitching
Senior dogs are likely to experience some loss of muscle control, which can lead to your pup losing their footing and coordination.
Decreased mobility and poor coordination are quite common in senior dogs and not always dog old age symptoms of dying imminently. Typically, changes develop gradually, although when a pup is close to the canine end of life it will often speed up due to pain, loss of muscle mass, lethargy, and weakness.
Likewise, twitching by itself isn’t always a sign an old dog is dying, just like humans, dogs can twitch for almost no reason. However, when it becomes so extreme it causes your pooch to lose their balance or last for longer periods, it could be a sign of a deeper health issue, and you should consult with your vet.
Providing non-slip surfaces — carpets, rugs, etc., will help your pooch get around the home. You could also install ramps to help them get up and down steps.
Incontinence
Finally, it’s tough being patient with your pooch when they seem to be peeing and pooping everywhere. Unfortunately, as dogs get older, losing control of their bladder and/or bowels is to be expected. Even pups who have previously been perfectly housetrained may start leaving little gifts around the home.
Admittedly, incontinence isn’t always a sign that your dog may be dying, it could simply be that their muscles are weakening from age or an infection. Yet, when it develops rapidly, and is combined with other symptoms we’ve looked at, it may be a sign your pooch’s body is starting to shut down.
Check with a veterinarian for the cause of your pup’s incontinence, many causes can be treatable. And, avoid yelling at your pet, you’ll regret it if they do pass on. Plus, incontinence can be quite upsetting for them — they don’t mean to soil the home. It could be they’re unable to walk far enough or quick enough to go potty outside.
Dog End of Life — What Happens Next?
If you’re worried your dog is exhibiting several of the symptoms of a dying dog, you should seek the medical assistance of your vet. It may just be a symptom of your pooch getting older, or they could be suffering from a treatable illness. Your vet can assess your pooch’s state of health, check for any underlying conditions, and offer you a prognosis — whether that’s good or bad news.
And, although you may not be quite ready to say goodbye, when an elderly dog shows signs of dying, you must assess their quality of life.
Ask yourself:
Is your pup still eating and drinking? If they can’t eat or drink by themselves, is there a way you can help them do so comfortably?
Can your furry friend still enjoy the same activities and interactions with other family members and pets in the home?
Is your canine comfortable on a daily basis, able to move around, urinate or poop, and lie down without experiencing any pain?
And perhaps most importantly, do they have more good days than bad days?
If the answer to these questions should be no, it’s time to consider end-of-life care options for your pooch. This can either be palliative or hospice care, or maybe it’s time to consider euthanasia. Your vet can offer advice, but at the end of the day, the final decision is yours to make, no matter how hard it can be.
Final Thoughts
As dog lovers, our responsibility goes beyond the laughs of puppyhood.
The dog end of life stage, albeit tough, is something you’ll have to face with your best friend. Yet, knowing how to spot the signs can help prepare you for the final farewell and make your pup’s final days as comfortable and dignified as possible.
Dog End of Life Signs FAQs
What Are the Signs a Puppy Is Dying?
Although we have mainly spoken about older or senior dog end of life symptoms, dogs can die at any age. Chronic illnesses or genetic diseases can lead to some dogs dying before their time.
A condition known as fading puppy syndrome causes puppies to pass on suddenly. These puppy dog end of life signs include:
Low birth weight or no weight gain.
Decreased activity.
Neglect from the mother.
Stomach pain indicated by paddling movements.
Diarrhea or soft stools.
Vomiting.
Continuous crying.
Trouble breathing.
Salivation.
What Are The End Stages of a Dog’s Life?
In the last few days before your dog passes, you may notice:
Extreme weight loss.
Distant/glazed look in your pup’s eyes.
Disinterest in their surroundings.
Change in their smell.
Drastic switch in their behavior.
You must learn to spot the signs that your dog may be dying and seek the help of a vet as soon as possible.
What Happens After a Dog Is Put Down?
Euthanasia — or putting a dog to sleep — is often seen as the most humane thing to do if a dog is in pain and/or exhibiting the symptoms of a dying dog.
Your vet may administer a sedative first, to ensure your dog is totally relaxed, then the euthanasia solution. As the injection is administered, your dog will lose consciousness and within a couple of minutes, their internal organs stop working. But, as they’re ‘asleep’ they won't feel anything.
Will My Dog Pass Away Naturally?
Some dogs will fall asleep peacefully and pass away naturally. But as with humans, peaceful deaths are very rare and it’s hard to tell how much pain the pup has been in before they do so.
Some owners don’t like the idea of their dog dying by themselves and see the vet putting a dog to sleep as a way of ensuring they’re with their beloved pooch right up until the very end of their pup’s life.
How Will I Know if My Dog Is in Pain?
You never can for sure know your pup is in pain as they will often try to hide it from their owners. Shaking, flattened ears, a low posture, swings in behavior from grumpy to aggressive, and panting or crying can be good indicators your pup is in pain.
Excessive licking or scratching specific areas on their body can also be a sign of where your pup feels pain. What’s more, a reluctance to eat or drink could be a symptom of nausea caused by internal organs shutting down.
How Do I Make My Dog Comfortable at the End of Life?
Once you recognize the signs your beloved pooch is dying, you’ll want to ensure their remaining time is as comfortable as possible. Here are four tips to do just that:
Give your best friend lots of love, extra tasty food, and make the most of your remaining time together.
Create a calm and cozy place for your dog. And, don’t introduce them to new people, new animals, or new places — familiarity is best at this time.
Maintain normal activities as long as you can. If your pooch wants to and is able to take a walk in the yard, let them. Be open to anything that keeps their day as normal as possible.
Speak to your vet about medication for comfort in the short term, or if your pup doesn’t seem to be responding to existing treatment. And, be mindful that your pooch will reach a stage where you need to make that decision — whether it’s time to say goodbye.