Hospice Care

Pet hospice care for dogs & cats: What it means

When you decide with your family and your pet’s veterinary team not to pursue further testing or treatments to cure your pet’s health problems, you’ve entered hospice care. This is a deeply emotional decision, and it’s one made out of love.

During hospice care, the focus shifts to comfort and quality of life. Instead of trying to “fix” the underlying disease, your veterinary team works to manage symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and nausea so your pet can live out the time they have left as comfortably as possible.

This guide explains hospice care basics, from medications that may help keep your pet comfortable during this delicate time to grieving and support resources.

Medications during hospice care

Often, pets are still on medications during hospice care. These medications are used to help your pet feel better and stay comfortable. Your veterinary team may recommend medications such as:

  • Anti-nausea medication

  • Pain medication

  • Prednisone

  • Seizure medication

If a medication is causing discomfort for your pet, for example, if they strongly dislike taking pills or if side effects are unpleasant, discuss this with your veterinary team. The goal of hospice care is to help your pet feel better. It can be a tricky balance, but if a medication is causing more problems than it’s helping, it may not be the right choice for your pet.

Always follow the prescription label and the plan your pet’s veterinary team provides, and talk with your vet before making any changes.

How to know when it’s time

At some point, you may be faced with the decision to euthanize your pet. Deciding to help your pet die peacefully is never easy.

People often ask, “How will I know when it’s time?” The truth is, this decision is deeply personal. There’s rarely a single “right” or “wrong” answer. However, there are a few practical steps that can help guide you.

A weekly quality-of-life list

Make a list of five things that are important to your pet’s quality of life. These can include:

  • Positive signs, like “enjoys going on walks” or “eats meals twice a day”

  • Concerning signs, like “can’t go up the stairs anymore” or “has another seizure”

This list will be different for every pet. Sit down with your family and consider what matters most to you and your pet. What makes your pet special? What makes them happy? Are there experiences you don’t want them to go through? (If you’re having trouble coming up with a list, consider consulting this quality-of-life guide from The Ohio State University’s Veterinary Medical Center.)

Check the list once a week:

  • If your pet is doing well on all five items, put the list away for another week and enjoy your time together.

  • If your pet has one or two “bad marks,” check in with your veterinary team to see if adjustments can be made to improve comfort.

  • If your pet has more than three “bad marks,” your pet may have more poor quality-of-life markers than good, and it may be time to consider letting them go.

You may also find it helpful to discuss your pet’s well-being with a trusted friend or loved one who shares your values of pet ownership. This is a personal decision, but an outside perspective can sometimes help when you feel unsure.

Warning signs that may mean your pet is suffering

If your pet is showing any of the symptoms below, speak with a veterinarian urgently. If these symptoms cannot be treated, it may be time to let your pet go.

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Not eating anything for more than a day

  • Not drinking water for more than a day

  • Moderate-to-severe pain despite medications

Pet euthanasia: What it is & what to expect

Euthanasia is an overdose of anesthesia medication. Your pet will first fall into a deep sleep. This is meant to be a gentle, peaceful passing. Next, breathing will stop, and then finally the heart will stop.

There are options to consider for euthanasia. Some families prefer an at-home visit, while others prefer euthanasia in a veterinary clinic. Some people wish to be present, and some don’t. Some pet parents want children or other pets present, and some don’t.

These decisions are deeply personal, and different members of your family may have different wishes. Your veterinarian may also have limits on what they can provide. For example, some veterinarians don’t make house calls, and some don’t allow children of certain ages or other pets to be present. It’s important to respect everyone’s wishes as much as possible during this difficult time.

Discussing everything beforehand is key to helping this very emotional process go as smoothly as possible.

If you choose to be present, what you may see

If you choose to be present for euthanasia, there are some things that can happen that you should be ready for. These are 100% normal and do not indicate that your pet is in pain or suffering.

  1. Pets may take a deep breath, make sounds, or struggle slightly as the medication is injected. This can happen because the anesthesia may make them feel dizzy or woozy before they fall asleep. They may also experience the “excitement phase” of anesthesia. Similar to people who may react strangely as they go under anesthesia, this is your pet’s brain falling asleep due to the medication. Pets do not remember these reactions.

  2. Pets don’t always close their eyes as they die, and their tongue may fall out of their mouth.

  3. As the body lets go, there may be fluid or foam from the nose or mouth, or your pet may urinate or defecate.

  4. The procedure takes a couple of minutes, but it’s usually over much faster than many people expect.

  5. It’s also normal for the body to twitch for several minutes after death.

Grieving & support resources

It’s normal for both people and other pets to grieve the loss of a loved one. Some people even experience grief before the loss has occurred.

There are many resources available to help you and your family through this difficult time, including the San Francisco SPCA pet loss support group. You can also find pet loss support resources in California through regional and national organizations.

We’re here for you & your pet

It’s normal to struggle with this decision or to feel guilt. But remember, hospice care is an act of love, and it’s OK to decide you don’t want to put your pet through more tests or procedures.

If you need additional support or have questions about your pet’s comfort and quality of life, talk with your pet’s veterinary team. Try to focus on making this time with your pet as special as you can. Make as many happy memories as possible. Treat every day as an extra day together.

Hospice Care FAQs

  • No. Hospice care focuses on comfort, love, and quality of life when curing the underlying illness is no longer the goal.

  • Yes. Medications are often used to manage symptoms like pain, nausea, inflammation, or seizures so your pet can stay as comfortable as possible.

  • Contact your veterinary team. Hospice care plans often need small adjustments over time, and you should always discuss changes before stopping or starting medications.