How to decide – should I euthanize my dog?

  • Posted on September 8, 2025
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As a mobile veterinarian specializing in pet euthanasia in Tucson, I know thinking; should I euthanize my dog? It’s one of the hardest things you will ever do. For many people, their pet is their best friend.

Pets are often even more reliable than the humans around you. That’s why we love to come home to our pets, because we know they’re always going to love us for who we are. Pets don’t judge us. Pets just love us. They are here for us through the thick and the thin, the good times and the bad times. 

I have created a pet quality of life checklist which you can print out. On this pet parent checklist, I list the following are factors which you should consider as part of your decision-making process:

Medical Prognosis: Is your pet’s condition terminal or could it improve?

Life Quality: Is your pet having more good vs bad days?

Nutrition: Can your pet still eat or drink? Are they losing weight?

Pleasure: Does your pet still enjoy any activities such as a walk or playing with you?

Pain: How often, and how intense is the pain your pet is experiencing?

Personality changes: Is their pain suffering so much their fundamental personality is changing?

Veterinarian professional opinion: Does your veterinarian think your pet has any quality of life left?

Timing: If you wait any longer to euthanize your pet, how great a chance is there that your pet could experience more suffering than they should?

It is important for you to understand that you might experience more intense emotions than you have ever experienced in your life. Thus, it is important to reach out to those around you that you most trust. It is important that you not try to deal with distressing emotions on your own. When you try to deal with things on your own it is a leading predictor of major psychological distress, according to psychological studies. You can consider talking with a counselor if your emotions are overwhelming. Click here for a list of supportive resources I created.

One of the most valued roles I play as a in home veterinarian is going to people’s homes to support them as they come through the incredibly difficult situation of euthanizing their pet. To learn more about at home veterinary care, you can feel free to go to my website. The role of an at-home euthanasia veterinarian is sacred because you are a professional helping people make life-and-death decisions about a loved one. If you feel overwhelmed by even thinking about whether you should euthanize your pet, please consider whether you should talk with a counselor. Here are some questions you can ask to various counselors you are considering working with to ensure that you find the most effective professional listener:

  • How much experience do you have working with people with grief?
  • How much experience do you have working with people who are grieving over the loss of a pet?
  • Have you ever lost a pet yourself?
  • What kind of training have you received that is specialized to the grief work that you do?
  • What techniques do you use beyond basic talk therapy that can help me?
  • What percentage of your practice involves you helping those who are grieving?
  • How many years have you been working with people who have grief issues?

There are also online resources including the following:

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

Rainbow bridge

The Pet Loss Dr.

I hope this blog has been helpful. Please feel free to visit my website to read other related blogs so you make your best decision. Knowledge is power. If the time comes to humanely euthanize your pet, and you do not know how to find the best in home in home pet euthanasia veterinarian, here is a list of 7 questions to ask.

3 Ways I'm DifferentDr. Maria vs. Franchise VetsPricing & PaymentPet Quality of Life ChecklistWhat to ExpectGrief Support
"I can’t begin to say enough nice things about Dr. Miller, her demeanor and her professionalism. My beloved cat Van was in the final stages of debilitating malignant thyroid tumors that left him unable to eat and drink in his final days. Dr. Miller’s service of coming to the house to help Van peacefully pass was a relief. Dr. Miller’s comforting actions with Van and her reassurances to me helped make what was already a horrific experience as bearable as possible under the circumstances."
Norris A.
"Dear Dr. Miller, Robbie and I want to thank you for all you kind and gentle care of Chessie, even though you didn’t know her. We feel like you were a special angel sent to make this time a little easier. I wish we had known you longer. Thank you again and God Bless you."
Robbie and Judy G.
"Dear Dr. Miller, Thank you so much for your responsiveness, follow-up and great care of the pooches. We all appreciate your efforts and are lucky to have found you! Its so convenient to have you come to the house and it’s a big stress reliever for the dogs too. Thanks again!!"
Lauri and Peter F.
"Dear Dr. Miller Words cannot express how I feel towards the work that you do. I cannot begin to thank you for helping me through such a trying time. Your love and support made it easier to accept the loss of my dog. You truly are a wonderful and caring person. Thank you for making me feel like a friend."
Nancy M.
"Dr. Maria Miller, a most gentle and caring Veterinarian, provided us with the strength needed when we had to put our Dalmatian, Domino to sleep. He had reached the fullness of his time. His age coupled with his ailments certainly needed a peaceful relief and a quiet rest. Thank you Dr. Miller."
Jim Smith
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Dr. Maria's Bio

Dr. Maria Miller (DVM), known as “Dr. Maria” by her cherished clients, has practiced veterinary medicine for over 30 years. She is the owner and sole practitioner for Vetcalls, one of the most highly ranked veterinary practices in Arizona given its 5.0 google review rating. She is a visionary who recognized the need for in-home veterinary care back in 2000. A multitude of veterinarians followed Dr Maria’s lead over the next 25 years. Featured by numerous media outlets, award winning Tampa news anchor Russell Rhodes did a day-in-the-life segment on Dr. Maria when she practiced in Tampa, FL. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed scientific articles, and completed prestigious internships at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Washington D.C., and at Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston. Dr. Maria graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. A native Tucsonan, she has been happily married for 27 years with two wonderful children. Her home is always bustling with her collection of furry loved ones.