Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Become a credit card member today!Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!APPLY NOWLearn More About Petco Pay Benefits
How to assess quality of life for my senior dog and when to let go?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Male | neutered | 14 years and 10 months old | 4.2 lbs
Maxx is 15 years old and now "legally blind". His cataracts are large and on both eyes. He is hard of hearing. He urinates constantly and everywhere. The vet said nothing last month during his visit. However, we are concerned about his life. He is eating, as long as we keep rotating in different brands and types of food. He loves to walk and runs a little. He whines often and sleeps long hours. How do we determine when we are being selfish and should let him go. Not yet though. He is okay??
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Lauren Kennedy, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 4th, 2018
The most important thing to consider when making a decision like this is Maxx’s quality-of-life. If he is still mostly acting like himself, happy, enjoying going on walks, eating, and doing the things that he has always loved to do, then I would say his quality of life is good.
If however he is lethargic, sleeps most of the day, and is grumpy or withdrawn from the family members, then his quality-of-life may not be as good.
Based on your description of Max it sounds like he is not in pain which is a good thing.
If Max is having more good days in a week then bad I would consider this a good quality of life. When you start to notice the good days are becoming further apart or he stops acting like himself it may be time to let him go.
I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful