Glossary
Euthanasia
The humane, painless ending of a dog's life by a veterinarian, chosen to prevent suffering when quality of life can no longer be maintained.
Also called: putting a dog to sleep, humane euthanasia, pet euthanasia, at-home euthanasia, letting go
Euthanasia means a good death. A veterinarian ends a dog's life painlessly, usually after sedation, with an injection that makes the dog unconscious and then stops the heart. The word comes from the Greek for easy death, and it is done to prevent suffering when illness, injury or age has taken away a dog's comfort.
Deciding when is among the hardest choices an owner makes. Vets suggest tools such as a quality-of-life scale, a list of what the dog loves and a calendar marking good and bad days. Many clinics and mobile vets offer a home visit, and families can choose who is present and what happens to the body afterward, including cremation or burial.
It is normal to feel grief. Ask your vet to explain each step beforehand, and look for pet-loss support if you need it.
Last reviewed November 8, 2026