How to Make Your Pet’s Final Days Comfortable
When your pet is nearing the end of their life, you will often notice signs that indicate when it may be time to say goodbye. This will be a difficult time for you and your pet, but there are a few things you can do to make your pet’s final days as good as possible before they cross the Rainbow Bridge. Here are a few ideas to consider to help ensure your pet is as comfortable and happy as they can be before they pass.
Spend Quality Time Together
Even if your pet is not as active as they used to be, just being close to you will bring them comfort. Sit beside them, gently pet them, and talk to them in a calm and loving tone to help them feel at ease. Familiar voices and scents can provide a sense of peace in your pet’s final days.
When you have a special bond with your pet, simply being beside them when their health declines offers a steady, reassuring presence that they will appreciate.
Create a Calm and Safe Environment for Them
Your pet’s comfort should be a top priority in their final days, and part of that includes creating a calm environment for them in your home. Try to keep loud noises to a minimum, use soft lighting, and maintain a predictable routine to help them feel secure.
Additionally, make sure the space they’re in is physically safe. Removing clutter and tripping hazards from the floor, especially if they are struggling with mobility, can make it easier for them to get around safely.
Give Them Special Treats
If your pet still has an appetite, giving them a few of their favorite treats in their final days can be a nice way to show affection in a way your pet can understand and appreciate. This is a chance to indulge them a little, to show love through a simple action, and to create a few more special memories together.
Don’t forget to consult with your vet if your pet is taking medication to ensure that any treats you give them won’t interfere with or interact with the medicine.
Make Sure They Have Easy Access to Necessities
In their final days, your pet may not have the energy or ability to move around like they used to. Make sure necessities like food, water, a litter box, potty pads, etc., are close to where they are resting.
For pets with difficulty walking, you might also add non-slip rugs or mats to help them move around more comfortably and safely. Slings wrapped around their hind end can help you to help them walk by gently lifting them. Small adjustments like this can make a big difference in keeping your pet comfortable when their health declines.
Take Photos
Even during this emotional time, taking a few photos can help you hold on to the quiet, final moments you’re sharing with your pet. Capture them resting peacefully, gazing out the window, or cuddled in your arms. These images will later become treasured memories that you can revisit in the weeks, months, and years to come.
Try to focus on natural, unposed photos that show your bond with your beloved pet. You can include your hand gently resting on them or their favorite toy next to them to capture your pet as you will always want to remember them.
Set up a Clean and Comfortable Bed for Them
Your pet deserves a restful, cozy place to sleep, especially when they aren’t feeling their best. Provide them with a soft, clean bed with plenty of padding that will be comfortable on their bones and joints. You might line it with familiar blankets or items that carry your scent to help them feel safe and soothed.
Cleanliness is equally important. Wash the bedding regularly and keep the area free from dirt, fur, or any soiling that may occur due to illness. Place the bed in a quiet corner away from foot traffic, but where they can still see you. This will give them some privacy along with the peace of knowing you’re nearby.
Make the Most of Your Pet’s Final Days
Knowing that the end of your beloved pet’s life is near is one of the most difficult things you’ll go through as a pet parent. However, you can have a small sense of peace in knowing that you’ve made your pet’s final days as comfortable as possible. When the time comes to say goodbye, know that Pet Passages is here for you every step of the way.