Spoiling your dog on their last day.

At some point in our lives as pet owners, we are faced with the difficult decision of saying goodbye to our beloved dogs. It's never an easy decision to make, but we owe it to them to provide a peaceful, painless, and dignified end to their life. 

Euthanasia is the kindest gift we can give our dogs, as it frees them from any pain or suffering they may be experiencing.

However, before you take your dog to their euthanasia appointment, it's important to prepare yourself and your pet for this moment. Learn how to spoil your dog on their last day before their euthanasia appointment.

Treat them to their favourite food.

Your dog may have lost their appetite due to illness or medication, but on their last day, it might be a good idea to encourage them to indulge in their favourite food. Treat them to their favourite meal, whether it's steak, chicken, or a can of tuna.

Or, if you’ve gotten the ok from your vet, you might want to introduce them to some forbidden foods, especially if your dog is struggling with their appetite. Maybe they’re more likely to eat if they’re presented with desserts, a burger, or something usually off limits.

Give them a relaxing massage.

Massaging your dog can help them relax and ease any tension or pain they may be feeling. Use gentle, circular motions and try these relaxing techniques.

Give your dog a head rub by starting at the top of their nose. Using gentle pressure, run your thumb from the top of the nose and over the head, going slowly back and forth.

You can also try a leg and glute massage. Use gentle pressure to press both thumbs into the thigh or glute muscles, and make a backwards c. Slowly work your way across the entire muscle, creating those thumb circles.

You can also just give plenty of pats, rubs and belly scratches.

Organise a photoshoot.

Photos are an incredible way to memorialise a moment. You probably have hundreds of photos of your dog as a pup, so why wouldn’t you want to have some of their final days?

You can either do a no budget at home photoshoot and take a bunch of photos on your home of your dog with you, your friends and family, or you can consider organising a professional photographer to come down and take beautiful and special images that you can cherish forever, even after your dog has long crossed over the rainbow bridge.

Take them for a walk in their favourite park.

If your dog is still able to walk, take them for a stroll in their favourite park or beach. Most dogs will recognise their favourite places from the sounds and smells, so it can be comforting to let them enjoy their routine on their last day. Let them sniff around and enjoy the fresh air.

If your beloved pup is struggling to walk or no longer able to, see if you can still take them to the park in a pram or wagon to get them out to still experience enjoyable things.

Spend quality time with them.

Just being present with your dog and giving them your undivided attention can mean the world to them. Cuddle with them on the couch, play their favourite game, or simply sit outside and enjoy the sunshine together.

You may also want to invite family and friends to visit, spend quality time and say goodbye. However, make sure to watch your dog closely so they’re not overly tired or stressed out by the company.

Final thoughts on spoiling your dog on their last days.

Saying goodbye to your dog is one of the most difficult things a pet owner can go through, but by spoiling your dog on their last day, you can provide them with a peaceful and dignified end to their life. Remember, your dog has been your faithful companion throughout their life, and they deserve nothing but the best in their final days.

At Goodbye Good Boy, we provide home euthanasia services to support loving owners in providing a peaceful passing for their beloved pets.

The team at Goodbye Good Boy offers individualised support to help you and your family navigate this difficult time by providing quality-of-life checks, in-home euthanasia, cremation and aftercare services, and personalised memorialisation options. 

To learn more about our pet end-of-life services, give our team of passionate pet lovers a call on 1800 953 619.