When a pet has an incurable illness, is very old, or no longer benefits from treatment, you may discuss hospice care with your veterinarian. Hospice care does not mean “doing nothing.” Instead, the focus shifts from curing the illness to managing pain and discomfort, allowing your pet to live as comfortably and with as much dignity as possible in familiar surroundings.

During this time, you do not have to face every decision alone. Your veterinarian can provide medical assessment and treatment advice, while Resoul can support you with aftercare arrangements, allowing you to focus on spending time with your pet before gradually making decisions about collection, cremation and farewell arrangements.

Important note: Hospice care and medication must be assessed and managed by a veterinarian. This article provides general information about home preparation and pet aftercare, and does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

What Is Pet Hospice Care?

The aim of hospice care is to maintain your pet’s comfort and dignity while managing pain, breathing difficulties, nausea, anxiety, mobility problems and hygiene issues that may occur during the final stage of life.

Depending on your pet’s condition, your veterinarian may develop a care plan that includes:

• Pain relief and other medication to manage symptoms.

• Fluid therapy, nutritional support or other supportive treatment.

• Feeding and hydration arrangements.

• Wound and skin care.

• Assistance with urination, defecation and cleaning.

• Follow-up appointments and emergency contact arrangements.

• Quality-of-life assessments and discussions about end-of-life decisions.

Quality of life is not determined solely by whether a pet is still eating. It may also include pain, breathing, mobility, hygiene, emotional wellbeing, interaction with family members and whether your pet still enjoys familiar activities.

Create a Care Plan With Your Veterinarian

When starting hospice care, ask your veterinarian to explain:

• Which symptoms need to be managed most urgently.

• The name, dosage, timing and method of giving each medication.

• What to do if you miss a dose or your pet vomits after taking medication.

• Which side effects to look out for.

• What to do if your pet stops eating or drinking or has persistent vomiting.

• Which signs require immediate veterinary attention.

• Routine follow-up and overnight emergency arrangements.

• What physical changes may occur as the condition progresses.

• When to reassess your pet’s quality of life and end-of-life options.

Do not increase, reduce or stop medication without veterinary advice, and never give human medication to your pet. If your pet has difficulty breathing, appears to be in continuous pain, has seizures, loses consciousness, suddenly collapses or cannot settle, contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately.

Prepare a Comfortable Home Environment

The environment does not need to be complicated. It should be safe, quiet and easy for your pet to access.

You may wish to:

• Place the bed somewhere quiet but convenient for the family to monitor.

• Use soft, absorbent and washable bedding.

• Add non-slip mats for pets with mobility problems.

• Keep food, water and toileting areas nearby.

• Reduce the need to climb stairs or walk long distances.

• Maintain a stable indoor temperature.

• Keep familiar scents, toys and blankets nearby.

• Avoid moving furniture unnecessarily or having too many visitors.

If your pet spends long periods lying down, ask your veterinarian or a qualified animal-care professional how to help with repositioning, skin care and pressure-sore prevention. Do not force your pet to stand, walk or eat, as this may increase discomfort or create a risk of choking or aspiration.

Feeding and Hydration

During the final stage of life, a pet’s appetite and water intake may gradually decrease. This does not necessarily mean that you have failed to care for your pet; it may be part of the progression of the illness.

Ask your veterinarian:

• Whether small, frequent meals are suitable.

• Whether the texture of the food should be changed.

• Whether gently warming food may make it more appealing.

• Whether you should stop offering food if your pet no longer wants to eat.

• Whether additional hydration or fluid therapy is appropriate.

• Whether assisted feeding could cause discomfort or choking.

If your pet is still willing to eat, offer small amounts of easy-to-eat food recommended by your veterinarian. The priority is whether your pet remains comfortable after eating, rather than simply how much food they consume.

Record Your Pet’s Quality of Life

During hospice care, it can be difficult to assess your pet’s condition objectively, especially when you are tired or distressed. Simple daily notes can help you and your veterinarian understand changes more clearly.

You can record:

• Whether pain and breathing appear to be under control.

• Food and water intake.

• Ability to urinate and defecate.

• Ability to stay clean.

• Ability to stand, walk or turn around.

• Interest in family members, toys or familiar surroundings.

• Signs of restlessness, hiding, confusion or unusual vocalisation.

• Whether the day was relatively comfortable or particularly difficult.

You can also record short videos of your pet breathing, walking, eating and resting to show your veterinarian during follow-up appointments. Quality-of-life assessment commonly considers pain, appetite, hydration, hygiene, happiness, mobility and whether good days still outnumber difficult days.

Plan Ahead If Your Pet’s Condition Worsens

Hospice care does not mean that you must immediately decide on euthanasia. However, it is helpful to discuss an emergency plan with your veterinarian while your pet is relatively stable.

You may wish to ask:

• Which clinic should you contact if your pet deteriorates at night?

• Which signs indicate severe suffering?

• Is in-home euthanasia or euthanasia at a clinic available?

• Who in the family would like to be present?

• How much time is needed to make arrangements?

• Who can collect your pet after death?

• Would you prefer aftercare arrangements to take place at home or through a veterinary clinic?

Discussing these options in advance does not mean that you are giving up on your pet. It means you will be better prepared if an emergency occurs, rather than having to search for information and make major decisions while feeling overwhelmed.

How Can Resoul Help?

When your pet begins hospice care, you can contact Resoul in advance to learn about aftercare arrangements. You do not have to wait until your pet has passed away before finding out what support is available.

Resoul can assist with:

• Explaining the general aftercare process in advance.

• Enquiring about collection from your home or a veterinary clinic.

• Explaining temporary low-temperature storage and aftercare procedures.

• Discussing individual cremation and other available options.

• Planning a farewell or viewing period.

• Exploring urns, paw prints, fur keepsakes and other memorial items.

• Providing procedural support after your pet passes away, so you do not have to manage everything alone.

Resoul states that it provides 24-hour pet aftercare support, collection services and individual cremation under its “one pet, one cremation chamber” arrangement. Service availability, collection times and fees should be confirmed with the Resoul team before booking

Contacting Resoul in advance does not mean deciding when your pet will pass away. It simply allows you to understand the available options and make calmer decisions later, based on your pet’s condition and your family’s wishes.

Remember the Caregiver

Hospice care may require medication, cleaning, companionship and observation throughout the day and night. This can be physically and emotionally exhausting, so avoid placing all responsibility on one person.

Family members can share tasks such as:

• Recording medication times.

• Preparing food and cleaning supplies.

• Sitting with your pet.

• Answering calls from the veterinary clinic or aftercare provider.

• Accompanying your pet to appointments.

• Handling aftercare and cremation arrangements.

If family members disagree about treatment, hospice care or euthanasia, ask the veterinarian to explain your pet’s medical condition first. Then discuss each person’s concerns and priorities. The aim is not to determine who loves the pet most, but to consider which decision best reduces your pet’s suffering.

Conclusion

Choosing hospice care means using the time that remains to reduce discomfort, preserve familiarity and allow your pet to stay close to the people they trust. You do not need to complete every arrangement at once. Start by creating a care plan with your veterinarian, recording your pet’s quality of life and learning about Resoul’s collection, cremation and farewell services in advance. When the time comes, you will not have to start from the beginning in a moment of panic, and can devote more time to companionship, gratitude and saying goodbye.