I’ve seen several vets debunk this, pointing out that the pets don’t know this is the end of their life, and don’t realize it is any different from being taken back for any other vet procedure. They aren’t any more panicked than they would be while being sedated for surgery.

I am at high risk for strokes. I had to leave the room for a beloved dog's last moments as I went into uncontrollable sobbing. Worst day ever!

Personally, I give the owners an option: they can stay for the sedation til the pet is so sedatede that they are not paying attention and then leave, or to let us put in an IV catheter after sedation if they want to be present for the final injection. I don't think in 40 years that I ever had a client just leave the pet not knowing whats happening. But thats my philosophy on the whole situation. And I've done the same for my pets when its time but they always have an intravenous catheter placed before I give the last shot.

I've always been in the room holding them.

This is depressing.

we put down my dog about two weeks ago, and my 11 year old brother chose to not be in there but me and my mom and older brother were all there. i told her how much i loved her and i hugged her and didn't let go even after she was gone.

Our vet gave him something to render him unconscious so we were there the last he knew. We slipped out when he wouldn't see us leave but before the end. Best for all of us. Wise and compassionate Vet!

My 20 year old died in my arms at home, which was traumatic. I had to take my 19 year old to be put to sleep at the vet - she laid on my chest, in my arms while daddy hugged us both, also traumatic. It was my duty to be there to the end and I wouldn't change anything.

I guess I see things from both sides but when ours pets had to be put to sleep, we held them until they passed. I can't imagine how alone they must feel.

Vet nurse here! We understand that sometimes it's too difficult to stay. I can promise you that the nurses, techs and vets make sure that your beloved pet spends their last moments being loved on with lots of cuddles and treats!

Jeffrey Diehl

Jeffrey Diehl

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Nope. I have been there and held them in my arms giving as much love and thanks as I can.

I've been there for my cat (cancer) till the very last moment. Petting her and talking to her. Cried in the corridor of the clinic after that, but she died peacefully. Nobody should die alone.

that;s when they need you themost

I have never left my pet.

Omg, I could NEVER do that! I was sobbing my eyes out, but when my baby rabbit succumbed to GI stasis, I was holding him in my arms, telling him how much I love him. Even now, I still get days where I miss him so much & I hug his little cushion for comfort. I now have a 7 year old rescue chihuahua & I know I’ll have to do the same for her one day … but I love my fur-babies too much to ever let them suffer alone & scared; I will always put them first. 🥺🐕💔🐇

My face giving my pets kisses, cuddling them, and telling them I love them will always be the last things my pets see, hear, and feel.

As a veterinarian, this isn't true. There may be some pets that are just uncomfortable without their families no matter the situation, but if you choose not to be in the room, there is absolutely NO shame in that. Rest assured that if you just can't, you will not be judged, and I will hold your pet, love your pet, and cry for your pet for you❤️

Me being there, sobbing, would stress my pets out more than just going without me to the back room with the techs.

This is a cruel lie. A pet doesn't know the difference between an anaesthetic being administered for a necessary procedure such as neutering or a dental and an anaesthetic being administered for the purposes of euthanasia.

I was there for my girl, Molly. Couldn't leave her to experience that alone.

I could not even imagine doing this to my pets. When I had to put down my German shepherd, I wanted my face to be the last face she saw. I was with her thru everything in life, and I will be there when death happens to, makes me very sad.

I stay with my pet until it goes to sleep. The only reason I have put pets down is for pain relief or quality of life is gone. I wish this could happen for me as well. Why should I have to suffer just because I am human?

Some humans are NOT even there when their OWN parent passes. Yup. Walked right out the room, left to die alone with strangers😡

I always hope I will be holding my furry babies close to me when they die, whether at home or the vet. I have many many times.

No, you should be with your loved pet during this time.

The most heartbreaking responsibility of pet ownership. My pets breathed their last into my lungs.

Every pet we've had to put down, I've always been the one there holding them. Most recent was last year. I never wake up In the middle of the night, but for some reason I did & went to check on my little old man, Travis. He was sprawled out on the floor, breathing heavy and unresponsive. I scooped him up & held him for 4 hours, telling him how loved he was & could go rest now. He died safe & warm & lived in my arms. I'll always thank whatever woke me that night, or Travis would have gone alone, cold & scared.

Not my dog. I wanted to be there with him. I was heart broken

One of our cats had to be put down during covid. The vet said we could only have 1 person in the room with him so one of my (adult) kids stayed with him.

I've been there holding them every single time. The 5 that I've lost over the years were due to age or severe health complications and they were in pain. Every single one were cats we rescued and 3 of those Jazzy, Romy and Tux I was there when they came into the world and was there when they left it. I wanted to be there so they would know they were loved til the very end. I've been heartbroken and absolutely gutted every time but Tux and Romy were the worst since I lost them within a year of my Mom dying. It still hurts like hell and I still cry because I miss them so damn much. If it wasn't for taking care of them since they both needed medications and normal care I wouldn't have been able to get out of bed. They gave me a reason to keep going because they needed me to take care of them. Now I have Tiger who was my Mom's baby and he is my little shadow. He was almost litter mates with Romy and Tux and I'm all he has left now.

I want to be with them. We weren't there for two, they were at the vet and passed before we got there. We were waiting to see what the vet thought (Covid) about our cat. Once we all agreed he was not going to get better. They told us to drive around to the back and we would meet with them prior to him being put down. We walked in the door and they told us he was gone. He passed on his own. If we can get the vet to agree we also try to have it done outside. One of our dogs that loved the car, got them to come out to the car.

Not me. I’ve held my cats’ paws as they passed peacefully. They’re my babies and they deserve to be loved to the end. My husband sure had trouble though.

I was very fortunate. The area I resided in had a mobile vet who would put your pet down in your home.

Oh. Oh no. Not the tears 😭😞

I’ve always been absolutely hysterical when I know I have no choice but to lose my pet - literally hysterical, to a point that I had the Dr. bawling by the time it was said and done - but I do make sure my pet and I are holding hands prior.

Ouch.