Euthanasia
When it is time to say goodbye
Having to say goodbye to your dog is one of the hardest parts of owning one.
For many, the dog has been a part of the family for many years, and the decision of when it is time to say goodbye can be difficult.
At Hundeklinikken, we help you both assess your dog’s quality of life and create as calm and dignified an end as possible when the time comes.
When is it time?
There isn’t always a single simple answer to that question.
Sometimes serious illness makes the decision clear. Other times, changes happen slowly, and it can be hard to judge when the bad days have begun to outweigh the good ones.
You don’t have to face that assessment alone.
We will be honest with you about what we see in your dog. At the same time, we listen to what you experience at home. You know your dog’s daily life and know what has previously brought them joy and quality of life.
Choosing euthanasia is also a way of caring for your dog
It can feel overwhelming to be the one who has to make the decision.
But when illness, pain, or frailty means we can no longer provide the dog with an acceptable quality of life, euthanasia can be a compassionate decision.
It isn’t necessarily about waiting until the dog can’t go on any longer.
“Sometimes it’s about choosing a peaceful goodbye before life becomes unnecessarily difficult.”
A peaceful goodbye
When your dog is to be euthanized with us, we ensure there is time and tranquility around you.
We have a separate room where you can be together without unnecessary interruptions. You are, of course, welcome to stay with your dog the whole way through if you wish.
We always sedate the dog first.
Your dog receives sedative medication and is allowed to quietly become tired and fall asleep with you.
Only when your dog is in a deep sleep and no longer aware of what is happening around them does the veterinarian administer the medication that stops the heart.
The last thing your dog experiences
The last thing your dog experiences is therefore not the euthanasia itself.
They experience getting tired, settling down, and falling asleep with their human by their side.
We explain what is happening along the way so you know what to expect.
There should be no rush.
Once your dog has passed away, you get all the time you need to sit with them and say goodbye.
You decide how the farewell should be
There is no single right way to say goodbye.
Some want the family around them. Others prefer to be alone with the dog. Some want to talk, others just want to sit quietly.
We try as much as possible to create space for the farewell that feels right for you and your dog.
What happens afterward?
You don’t need to have all the practical decisions settled in advance.
We can advise you on the options after euthanasia, including cremation, urns, and memorial jewelry, and help with the practicalities once you have decided what you want.
If you are in doubt
You are also welcome to contact us before you have made the decision.
If you have started to consider whether your dog still has a good quality of life, we can help assess the situation and talk with you about the options.
You don’t have to wait until the situation becomes acute. Sometimes the most important conversation is the one we have while there is still time to think.
“A good dog’s life deserves a good ending too.”
