First off, there is no "right time" for each animal.  No matter what choice you make, you will likely second guess yourself.  It is a really hard decision and one that can involve complex feelings of guilt.  Many people simply avoid making the decision, finding it too hard to even consider the idea that their pet is dying.  Making end-of-life decisions for your pet requires bravery. Try to remember that you are your pet's guardian, and you are the only one that can make these tough decisions.  You know your pet best, and he or she trusts you to do the best you can.  Listen to your heart.

Some questions to ask yourself:

• Is my pet getting any enjoyment at all from his day to day life, or is his daily existence simply something to be endured, with no real quality of life?
   
• Do my pet's 'good days' still outnumber the 'bad days', or are the 'good days' rare or nonexistent?
   
• Is my pet in pain?
   
• Has my pet stopped eating and drinking?
   
• What is my vet's opinion?
   
• Does my pet want to want to be here today, to experience this day in this way, as much as I want him to be here?

Some things to remember:

• Many people do not realize that the average lifespan of a cat is 15-20+ years. If your 12 or 13 year old cat is losing weight or acting sick, it probably is not dying of old age.  You should seek medical attention to see if there is a treatable medical condition before considering euthanasia.
   
• Animals do not fear death the way we do.  They simply don't have the same kind of anxiety and awareness of the inevitability of death like we do. Our pets live in the "now".  How is the "now"?
   
• We offer this service because we feel euthanasia is one of the kindest gifts we can give our pets when they are suffering.  If when talking to you or meeting your cat or dog, Dr. Steketee feels it really is not the best option for your pet, she will tell you so.
   
• Take some time to make this decision.  Ask other people close to you.  Talk to your vet.  Feel free to contact us at info@buenavidavet.com if you need help making the decision.  You may also find some of the links on our resources page under "pet loss support" helpful.