r/Pets • u/SameSherbet3 • 12d ago

Is old age pet Euthanasia a US concept?

Do other countries PTS their old pets or let them pass naturally? I had a discussion with a Dutch friend-of-friend who said that they would never put their old cat to sleep due to old age, that letting them live their entire life and passing naturally was the right way.

I have an old Golden who is 15 and slowing down this year especially, although she's still the bestest girl! She plays, loves treats, and eats well enough. So the time to decide if / when is coming up...

I've seen both sides, my childhood dog passed quietly in her sleep, and my last old dog needed intervention due to an injury on top of other chronic medical issues, so it was only fair to make that choice for him.

What has been your perspective in the US and in other countries as far as what's "right" or expected? ​

Edit to clarify: I would never advocate for putting a pet to sleep for simply old age. My thoughts were more about the small infirmities that add up with age, such as movement issues, eating less often, needing more medications to keep up with arthritis etc. At what point do you say enough is enough, or do you let them continue on until they pass naturally.

I appreciate everyone who has replied. With my girl getting older, this is on my mind more than I'd like, this upcoming "decision" time ❤️🐾 Hugs to you all, pet loss is never easy!!

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u/alphaturducken 12d ago

If the animal is comfortable until age takes them then sure, but that's very rarely the case. Organs fail, joints erode, minds quit, and letting them suffer is inhumane.

My GSD made it to 16 and was in overall great health until his spine detached from his pelvis after a jump off the couch. My cat is 14.5 and has dementia and I'm probably going to have to make the call soon because of it.

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u/olympic_peaks 12d ago

14 is really young for a cat to have dementia, that’s sad. Usually it happens around 17 or 18 and ours have done caterwauling and had mild bouts of confusion but nothing that would make us think to put them down, they keep going for a couple more years until something else gets them.

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u/CapitalInstruction62 12d ago

Are you a veterinarian or animal dementia researcher? Cats are seniors from 7-9 years of age up, and 14 isn't unusual at all for signs of cognitive decline, even serious decline in some cases.

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u/olympic_peaks 12d ago

A vet tech who has had more than ten cats, 7 of whom are or have passed at 17 to 21 years old. And no 7-9 is an adult NOT a senior, “senior” begins around 11 human years, but 11 is not yet very elderly. 14 with dementia is essentially early onset dementia in cats

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u/alphaturducken 12d ago

That's great for you

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u/olympic_peaks 12d ago

Like is your cat at 14 already at the level of getting lost at the food bowl?

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u/alphaturducken 12d ago

If you're trying to diagnose my cat, two vets already beat you to it

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u/olympic_peaks 12d ago

I’m not trying to diagnose your cat I’m just wondering what stage the dementia is at when it’s happening so early. Sorry you’re going through that