Preparing for goodbye
Supporting your pet through end-of-life care
Supporting your pet through end-of-life care
January 23, 2026
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest parts of sharing our lives with animals. They’re our companions, our shadows, our comfort on the toughest days — and when their time begins to draw near, the grief, uncertainty and responsibility of making the “right” decisions can feel overwhelming.
If you’re facing this stage now, please know I’m sending you my love and care. You’re not alone, and the very fact that you’re seeking guidance shows how deeply you care.
This compassionate guide will help you navigate the emotional and practical aspects of end-of-life care, so you can honour your pet’s comfort, dignity and the beautiful bond you’ve shared.
There is no single answer to this question — and that’s what makes it so hard. For many of us, the “right time” is when our dog or cat’s suffering outweighs their joy. When their body is struggling more than it’s coping, and their quality of life has declined in a way that feels irreversible.
Your vet will play a crucial role here. They can help you understand what your pet is experiencing physically and guide you through options for pain management, palliative care or euthanasia. Lean on their expertise; they’ve walked this road with many families.
But the emotional call often comes from you. You know your pet better than anyone.
A helpful tool is a quality-of-life checklist, personalised to your animal. Ask yourself:
When the bad days begin to far outweigh the good, it’s often a sign the time may be nearing.
Once you’ve made the incredibly loving and brave decision that the end is coming, your role becomes one of comfort, gentleness and presence.
Here are some ways to support your pet with love:
A lovely Facebook follower once shared that she planned a “farewell tour” for her old dog — visiting favourite beaches, parks and friends one last time. If your pet is well enough, this can be a beautiful way to celebrate their life together.
But simpler moments are just as meaningful: lying together on the couch, sharing favourite foods, sitting in the sun, slow pottering in the garden.
Work with your vet to ensure pain is well managed - pet insurance is essential here (I go with Southern Cross Pet Insurance), to ensure access to good palliative care. Adjust your home environment — soft bedding, non-slip mats (polished wooden or concrete floors can be a major hazard for pets in pain), warmth, easy access to food and water. Gentle grooming or massage can be soothing too.
Your pet will feed off your emotional state. On the day itself, many owners choose to be with their animal during euthanasia — stroking, talking softly, holding them. If you are there, try to stay as calm as you can. Follow your breath. Let your touch and your voice be the last things they experience. It is almost always peaceful.
After saying goodbye, creating a ritual can be healing. You might hold a small ceremony with family, write a letter, choose a burial site or scatter ashes in a meaningful place.
One poem close to my heart — which I’ve said for many dogs and even my own mother — is:
“What the caterpillar
Called the end of the world
The master called the Butterfly.”
—from Jonathan Livingston Seagull
As a Buddhist, I believe deeply in the natural cycle of life — how clouds become rain, nourish the earth, and rise again. In the same way, I like to think of our animals returning to the earth, transforming into another part of nature. They live on in the world… and in us.
No one should have to make life-and-death decisions about a family member based on their bank balance, and sadly our pets don’t get public healthcare like we human family members do.
Tragically, I’ve seen too many families forced to consider euthanasia far earlier than they ever wanted - sometimes even with young puppies or kittens - simply because the cost of treatment for an unexpected illness or injury was out of reach.
This is why it’s so important to have pet insurance in place while your pet is young and healthy, so that pain management and end of life care isn’t something you need to worry about financially down the track. . With the right cover in place, you’re able to explore all options with your vet, access appropriate treatment, and make choices based on what’s best for your pet… not what’s most affordable in the moment.
Pet insurance offers cost-certainty and peace of mind during the hardest parts of pet ownership and ensures you never have to rush a goodbye before you’re truly ready.
I personally choose Southern Cross Pet Insurance as they are a New Zealand company, I love their commitment to helping our pets live better quality lives, and because like me, they support Pet Refuge. Not to mention I’ve had many personal experiences with them in caring for my pets over the years, and have always found the team to be wonderfully helpful and compassionate. You can check out their range of plans here.
If you’re navigating this heartbreaking journey, please know:
Your grief is valid. Your love is visible in every choice you’re making. And your pet has been incredibly lucky to have you.
Kia kaha — stay strong.
And hold close the knowledge that the bond you’ve shared doesn’t end here. It lives on in every memory, every photo, every quiet moment you shared together.
This content is created in partnership with Southern Cross Pet Insurance.
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