Warning Signs that a Dog is dying

Owning a dog is one of the greatest experiences that a person can have. Right from puppyhood, having a dog is a whole lot of fun. However, just like us, dogs get old and yes, they die too. That can be the saddest experience in a person’s life. But, this is a fact of life that we all have to accept, and when your dog is old and the time comes, you would do well to recognise the warning signs that a dog is dying. This helps to give a dog love, support and dignity in his final hours. Here, we take a look at some of those warning signs.

Loss of Coordination

The dog will become doddery, unable to stand properly, and will find difficulty moving around the house. This can be caused by weakness or impaired brain function or maybe even both of these.

Increased Fatigue Levels

The dog becomes less active. He will lie in a single location, and will show no enthusiasm in getting up. He might not even show any inclination to lift his head.

Loss of Appetite

This is one of the classic warning signs that a dog is dying. He will no longer show any interest in food or water, and towards the end, the dog may stop eating and drinking altogether, as the organs begin to shut down, one by one.

Vomiting

As the digestive system begins to pack up, the natural course is for undigested food to be thrown up, resulting in vomiting. That is why, once it is clear that the end is near, it is important not to force a dog to eat.

Onset of Incontinence

As all the organs begin to close down and the body gets weaker and weaker, control of the sphincter is also lost, resulting in incontinence.

Confused Attitude

The dog may behave confused, as if he does not know where he is or what he is doing. This is due to the fact that the brain ceases to function normally, as death approaches. The best thing one can do is to be with the dog and provide assistance, if he seems to need help.>

Loving or Leaving

When a dog knows his end is near, he may either distance himself from his owners, or seek them out. If the dog goes into a corner of the house or seeks a secluded place in the garden, let him be – he just needs to be alone in his last moments. If he however seeks you out, be with him, pet and hug him to reassure him that you were always there for him until the end. Do not be concerned, if he is too weak to respond.

Coping with the End

Although it is heart breaking to see your dog die, it is something that is inevitable, and philosophically speaking, we can say that for all the companionship, comfort and loving that we get from our dogs, the sad end is just one way of balancing out joy with sorrow, and it is something that we all have to learn to accept. Therefore, it is recommended that all dog owners should read this article while their dogs are still young and in good health. This way, we can appreciate the good years with a dog, and when he is elderly, be able to cope and recognise the warning signs that a dog is dying.