Pet parenthood can be life-giving. The excited greetings after we come home from a 30-minute errand—tail wagging, happy barks, wet kisses and all—are enough to brighten any day. Yet, the old cliche goes that saying goodbye is one of the hardest parts of having a dog. In all likelihood, we will outlive our furry friends—even if they live well into old age. Helping them through their final days may be emotionally challenging, but veterinarians say it’s one of the last great acts we can do for a friend who’s poured so much into our lives. Here, vets share eight signs a dog is dying that owners should look out for.
“As pet parents, we want to do everything we can to make sure our dogs have a comfortable life journey, especially towards the end,” says Dr. Sara Bledsoe, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy.
One way to make a dog more comfortable is by recognizing signs it may be about to pass. Some are more obvious than others, and some flags a dog may be at the end of its life could actually be a sign of a treatable condition. For this reason, Dr. Bledsoe says it’s critical to attend annual veterinarian appointments and call your pet’s doctor if you’re concerned.
Veterinarians share how to know if your dog is dying with these eight symptoms that could mean your dog is in his or her final days. They also discussed what to do next and ways to remember your pet.
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8 signs a dog is dying, according to Vets
1. Cognitive decline
Like humans, pets can experience cognitive decline, prompting behavioral changes. Dr. Bledsoe says these changes may include:
- Confusion
- Restlessness
- Anxiety, especially separation from human and four-legged family members
- Depression
- Increased vocalization
- Isolation and detachment from human or four-legged family members,
- Low energy
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Loss of interest in social interactions, regular activities and even toys
2. Circulatory shutdown
A dog’s circulatory system includes their heart and arteries and ensures blood flows to all the organs. When it shuts down, telltale signs may start popping up.
“Dogs diagnosed with heart failure may develop a cough, experience decreased energy or [have] collapsing episodes,” Dr. Bledsoe says. “Weakness can also be observed due to anemia and poor circulation.”
3. Loss of mobility
Every dog is different, but some may slow down with age. That small puppy or young adult dog you brought home may favor sun baths to rousing games of fetch in their golden years. However, enjoying life at a slower pace isn’t the same as a drastic shift in the ability to move, period.
“If your pet is unable to rise, walk, or stand, it could be from external reasons like arthritis or pain but also from internal reasons like organ failure,” explains Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, a veterinary medical advisor for Rover. “Inability to move severely detracts from quality of life.”
4. Peeing or pooping around the home
Your housebroken-for-years pup is suddenly peeing or pooping indoors or off the wee-wee pad. Sure, accidents happen. Chronic ones are red flags.
“Some pets will soil themselves because they are simply too weak to get up to go outside and others suffer from conditions like kidney failure or digestive tract disease that lead them to have to eliminate more than usual in a way they can’t control,” Dr. Greenstein warns.
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5. Lack of appetite
Meal time can be a favorite for pups and humans alike. However, if your dog suddenly stops eating or finishing their meal, give the vet a ring.
“If your pet is refusing his or her regular diet—[and] especially favorite treats—it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to sustain their nutritional and hydration needs outside of a hospital setting,” Dr. Greenstein says. “[It also] removes one of a pet’s greatest joys in life: eating.”
6. Weight loss
Weight loss and eating habits can—but don’t always—coincide.
“Weight loss can occur due to no eating or severe muscle atrophy from underlying disease or cancer,” Dr. Bledsoe explains.
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7. Changes in breathing patterns
As with humans, breathing patterns are a good indicator of overall health.
“Dogs may have an increased respiratory rate, cough or may start panting at rest,” Dr. Bledsoe says.
She explains these changes may be because of:
- Heart failure
- An underlying respiratory disease
- Cancer
- Metabolic disease, including diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease or a disorder of the adrenal glands
8. Lethargy
It can be challenging to distinguish between a dog slowing down because of age and this sign. Your best bet? Tune into your pup’s most recent baseline.
“Pets who lack the energy or desire to do any of their favorite activities—or even basic functions like eating or going outside—are often in the last throes of their lives,” Dr. Greenstein says.
Related: Why Is Your Dog Licking You So Much? Here’s What Vets Say
What to do if your dog is showing signs they might be dying
Call the vet. “If you notice your dog starting to display any of these clinical signs, schedule an appointment with your dog’s veterinary team to start discussing quality of life care,” Dr. Bledsoe recommends.
Dr. Bledsoe shares that these talking points can help you and your vet determine your needs, beliefs and goals as your pup’s caregiver and advocate:
- Previous experiences with a terminally ill pet or the death of a pet. Dr. Bledsoe says it’s helpful to know if you’ve experienced losing a pet (and can help first-timers through every step of the challenging process).
- Ask about your dog’s illness trajectory. Dr. Bledsoe suggests asking: “How will their illness progress? What do I need to expect? What additional tests or monitoring needs to take place during this time?”
- Mention financial concerns and considerations. Pet healthcare does come at a cost, and you’ll want to ensure you have all the information to reduce surprises during an already trying time. “Chronic disease can be managed for months to years in some cases,” Dr. Bledsoe says. “Be proactive in having a financial discussion early on.”
- Explain your wishes for your dog’s death. You know your dog best, and discussing their final moments can help you honor your friendship. Dr. Bledsoe suggests considering how you envision your dog passing, such as whether you hope to be present or would like in-home euthanasia.
Do dogs pass away naturally?
Yes. However, neither vet typically recommends allowing it to get to that point.
“Many people hope to pass away peacefully in their sleep. Unfortunately, this is not a realistic expectation when it comes to natural death,” Dr. Bledsoe explains. “Dogs can pass away naturally, but a natural death does not mean a peaceful death.”
Dr. Greenstein echoes these sentiments.
“Dogs can pass away on their own, but in my experience, it’s nowhere near as common as pet owners think,” Dr. Greenstein says. “It’s not without a lot of suffering leading up to it—suffering that could have been avoided if the pet owners had simply recognized their pet was declining and discussed a humane euthanasia plan with a trusted veterinarian.”
How to grieve and memorialize a pet
First things first, remember: Your pet wasn’t “just a dog.”
“Pet parents often experience what’s called ‘disenfranchised grief’—grief that they feel can’t be publicly acknowledged because society, at large, doesn’t often validate the pain of pet bereavement,” Dr. Greenstein says. “I encourage my clients to recognize their sense of loss as completely valid and worthy and to care for themselves by remembering that grief is an extension of the love that we had for someone when they were alive.”
One idea is to memorialize your pet. Dr. Bledsoe says some meaningful ways to remember a pet include:
- Paw print art
- Memory boxes
- Planting a flower or tree in a pet’s honor
- Memorial tattoos
- Donating to an animal shelter in your dog’s name
- Custom pet portraits
- Have an in-person or online memorial for your pet
Additionally, Dr. Bledsoe says speaking with a therapist can help you work through your grief—there is zero shame in getting help after the loss of a pet.
Next:Â 5 Stages of Grief To Expect After You’ve Experienced Loss, According to a Trauma Therapist
Expert sources
- Dr. Sara Bledsoe, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy
- Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, a veterinary medical advisor for Rover
