Current statistics show that one out of every three dogs will get cancer. If you have a sick pet, one of the most difficult decisions is when to put down a dog with cancer.
Many dog cancers are treatable, but how do you know when to say goodbye to your dog? This is a complicated decision, and it should be discussed with your veterinarian. Your choice should be based on the type of cancer and the dog’s overall health and condition before and during treatment.
Understand Your Dog’s Treatment Options
Cancer can manifest in many different ways. Watch for the ten early warning signs of cancer in dogs. If your dog is exhibiting symptoms of cancer, your vet will run tests to determine a diagnosis.
Once the type of cancer is determined, the probability of successful treatment and your dog’s quality of life during and after the treatment will be determined.
Some cancers are easier to treat than others. Some common dog cancers include:
- Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
- Lymphoma
- Brain tumor
- Bladder cancer
Visit our canine cancer library to learn more about your dog’s specific type of cancer.
Treatment options will impact your dog’s quality of life in different ways. Dogs can undergo surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, just like humans. Treatments can include pills or injections. Alternative cancer treatments that may improve your dog’s quality of life include things like:
- Special diets
- Nutritional supplements
- Pain management methods such as acupuncture and massage
You can often use a combination of traditional and alternative treatments, but always discuss this with your veterinarian.
Gauge Your Dog’s Pain Levels
Some people think, my dog has cancer but seems fine. Dogs can’t tell you how much pain they are in with words, but there are a few behaviors you can look for as indicators.
Watch for symptoms such as:
- Persistent limping
- Heavy panting or whining
- Extreme lethargy
- Difficulty going to the bathroom
- Loss of appetite
Keep in mind, some cancers are more painful than others. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is considered to be among the more painful forms of cancers. Your veterinarian should be able to help you determine the pain factor for your dog.
Will a dog with cancer die naturally? Yes, but remember that although they are not always showing pain, they are likely experiencing it. Terminal cancer in dogs with persistent pain is a likely situation for euthanasia.
Consider Your Dog’s Quality Of Life and Overall Health
Once your dog has been diagnosed with cancer, consider their quality of life. We all want to hold on to our beloved family friends for as long as possible, but it may not always be in their best interest to do so.
Have an honest conversation with your veterinarian and take into account:
- Your dog’s type of cancer and likelihood of survival
- How difficult the cancer treatment will be for your dog
- Your dog’s estimated pain levels
Before and during treatment, look for these signs:
- Loss or severely reduced appetite
- Extreme or rapid weight loss
- Inability to keep food down
- Persistent diarrhea
- Difficulty moving (limping or lameness)
- Lack of energy
- Lack of interest in things they love
- Dramatic shifts in habitual behavior
When to euthanize a dog is not a conversation anyone wants to have. But if your dog’s quality of life is suffering from treatment or from the cancer itself, you may need to discuss euthanasia with your vet.
Making the Hardest Choice – Putting Down a Dog
If your vet advises that it’s in your dog’s best interest to put them down, remember that although your dog would eventually die naturally, you’ll be giving them a more peaceful passing. It’s natural to feel a wide range of emotions when your dog is dying of cancer. Having to make the difficult decision to put your pet to sleep doesn’t diminish the life you’ve given them. If your pet has felt loved and cared for their whole life, one moment in time can’t erase that.
Remember that the process is reported to be completely painless. A vet will give your pet an IV with a sedative, then they will apply the drugs that will allow your dog to drift off into a final, peaceful rest. Services are available for at-home euthanasia for the most compassionate and stress-free experience for your pet, and also for you.
All pets eventually pass away. Allowing our pets to do so on terms that are positive and loving is one of the clearest ways we can show them we love them as much as they loved us.
Help Our Mission – Spread Awareness
The National Canine Cancer Foundation – We Are the Cure is a registered nonprofit foundation, focusing on dog cancer. We help fund universities that are performing cutting-edge research with the goal of dog cancer prevention, finding cures, better treatments, and more accurate cost-effective diagnostic methods.
We want to diminish the number of dogs who are suffering from cancer. We’re not there yet, but anything helps. Help spread the word by visiting our website, sharing our resources, and getting involved today.
Our beautiful 8 year old German Shepherd, Cooper , lived a little over 3 weeks after diagnosis of cancer of the spleen. Since the cancer was widespread he was not a candidate for surgery or chemo. Our
wonderful vet and staff did weekly blood tests and ultra sounds. He was on herbal supplements, steroids, and special dog food. With some limitations, he continued to live his life as normally as he could. One evening he laid down on his bed and never got up again. We arranged with our vet to come to our home. It became clear he was dying. He passed from what was certainly a ruptured spleen. We were with him thru it all. He was the most brave, courageous, and loving boy. We will miss him forever.
Ann and Jack, I am so sorry for your loss. I am so happy for you though that you were able to have 3 weeks of bonus time that was well-lived and that you were able to be there with him at the end. Please know that you are not alone and that sweet Cooper felt your love through his life.
My 8 year old Golden Retriever Sophie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the jaw and euthanized at home four weeks later. One day she couldn’t pick up her beloved tennis ball and the next morning she woke up with a huge mass coming from her jaw/cheek area. My intuition told me to take her to Emergency in which they thought could be a tooth abscess. Unfortunately later that evening I got a call from the vet that the CT Scan revealed cancer and it had eaten away most of the jaw bone up to her joint and the most that could be done was radiation for pain management. I elected not do to that and chose steroids and other drugs but it was obvious to me in the 4th week, it was time to say goodbye. It was the most painful experience of my life. When the vet arrived at my house for the euthanasia, Sophie was playful and pushing her ball around with her nose. I almost cancelled but the vet assured me that day by day, her situation would become painfully unbearable and I couldn’t put my best golden girl through that. I have had 4 Golden’s, all of them lived to 12-13 so I was completely caught off guard. I even had blood tests done that show markers for cancer and hers came out “zero chance of cancer in the next 12 months” and that was done two months prior to her diagnosis.
WOW – I hate it that the blood test said that and it turned out not to be true. But I hate it even more that you lost your Sophie. Thank you for sharing this story with us.
Oh your story just broke my heart. I’ve been there with a 7 year old Golden Doodle about 10 years ago. I’m here again now…and it’s just too soon. Our almost-9 year old Golden Retriever girl was just diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma. She has large sores all over that we are controlling with steroids. I’m here reading this article as we are considering the unthinkable. Thank you for your story.
Oh! I am so sorry to hear about your Golden girl, that is heartbreaking Angela. Please reach out to us if you need someone to chat with.
I’ve Been endlessly googling looking for some kind of relief from the agonizing decision to let our 10 year old golden boy pass with dignity. He was diagnosed with metatastic lung cancer on Dec.7. Since that day his decline has been confusing. Antibiotics that we stopped because we thought it was making him worse, good days, really bad hard days, weight loss, loss of appetite, refusing food (not like him ever), days where a walk outside was not easy, but other days where he trots and pulls. He stopped making his snorts, whistles, and “talking”, and has only barked outside once in the last 2 1/2 weeks. I know it’s the best thing for him because I don’t want to see him get worse and I don’t want to be selfish, but that nagging voice that says “what if he gets better?” Is such a torment. Reading your comment makes me feel not so alone. I know we are doing the right thing but that doesn’t make it any easier. I suppose it’s better to do it sooner rather than later and have regret. The heart ache is intense and the anxiety around the whole situation sucks away my vitality.
I came up to try to figure out when we need to let our beloved 16 year old sable Shetland Sheepdog, Isis, go. She has a huge tumor on her left back end, pushing on the anus. The thing’s about the size of my clenched hand. Our vet shaved it down so we can keep an eye on it. She’s beginning to limp a lot more and I caught her licking it last night. I previously had an old cat that licked her tumors until they broke open and we had to take her to let her go. Isis is, I’m afraid, going down that same track.
As I said, she’s 16. She’s limping a lot, sleeping a lot more. She’s not wanting to cuddle. She used to never want to leave if we were loving on her, now she comes up and gets a bit, then goes and lays down. She eats a bit, but not as much and she is losing weight. She still gets excited for Peanut Butter Puppy Time, and will snap and even fight a bit with her brother (our 3 year old bi-black Sheltie, Sully) over the snacks, but not as excitedly. My husband takes them on walks three times a week, but she’s not able to do the entire circuit that she was able to do last month. We have a big back yard with a dog door that they go into when they want. She used to run the fence when neighbors were mowing, barking like she was telling them how to do it. She doesn’t run anymore, but she will lay in the sunshine some. She is almost deaf and has cataracts that are making seeing harder. We’re not sure if the quality is there for her any longer. We lost her tri-color sister, RhiRhi to cancer three years ago, she was let go on September 22 2020 and we found a pup from a great breeder that had Sully, who was born on the day we let Rhi go. Isis needed a companion and we wanted another Sheltie. We also plan to get another in a few months so Sully has someone to play with.
To complicate matters, we have a cruise scheduled for 7 days starting April 30. We have a fantastic groomer/kennel that has taken our dogs for over 20 years (with our old Border Collie, Angus). They love the shelties and give them lots of love and attention, and they do the grooming. Last year, when we left on a 4-day cruise, we left instructions for her care if she got sick while we were gone. We don’t want to put her through that week-long absence, and I know the kennel folks would feel bad if she passed away, or got very much worse while we were gone and out of contact.
So, we’ve got a deadline of around April 15 (which, damn it, is our 30th meeting anniversary), a few days either way depending on her happiness and health.
When do we do it? We’re both crying daily, watching her go downhill. It’s getting faster and faster that things are slowing for her, hurting her. . She’s our big love and my assistance dog, she barks when I try to get up, telling my husband I’m trying to move, I’m a fall risk with MS and Fibromyalgia. She also has gone out and showed EMS to the door and into the room I was in when I fell and needed them. Rhi was my emotional/pain dog, helping me when I hurt so bad. Sully’s figuring it out. Both our girls taught themselves by watching me.
We love our baby girl so much and we want her as much as we can. But we don’t want her to suffer.
I’m at a loss.
Oh I am so sorry to read all of this. I know it was all very hard. Watching our fur friends decline both as they age and a disease is so hard. The best thing I remember when I am faced with this question is that our dogs don’t live by a calendar. They don’t mark time, only great life experiences. I am sure in that 16 years Isis had an awesome life with both of you. Many hugs to you both as you go through a hard time without her.
My 17 yr old Chihuahua had 15 teeth removed in August.His Vet found a cancerous melanoma in his mouth. Since the removal of the teeth it has grown very quickly. Very aggressively. He has a large black mass on the inside of his mouth. He’s a tough little guy. But I am heartbroken. I have had him for 17 years. I have another Chihuahua who is 8. But I know the time to say goodbye is coming soon. I hope I can handle it.
I have just said goodbye to my old boy. The guilt is incredible. He was diagnosed 11 months ago with lung cancer. He has slowed a lot in the last month and is not handling the heat. He would breath heavily and then pant a lot.
I am worried I have euthanised him too soon. He was still eating and still alert. He struggled with stairs as his back end was sore too.
The vet said she would do the same if it was her dog, but I still can’t shake this guilt I should have given him a few more days. I know he was struggling, but I don’t think he was in pain yet.
Our dog Chester became unwell around 3 weeks ago prior to that very energetic and happy .
He always from a pup had a mucussy nose every morning. Born with a hole in the heart .
But three weeks ago his nose was extra mucussy . I didn’t worry at this stage because over the years his mucussy nose didn’t impair him in any manner . But after this mucussy nose a week later I noticed he was trying to bring mucus up from his chest I believe . He found it difficult to bring up . His breathing became laboured . Towards the end of the second week he didn’t eat much and appeared to be lethargic . Took him to the vet . Was given antibiotics to combat some infection . The day after seeing the vet went to give him his antibiotics and noticed huge lesions around the back hind legs . I was shocked thought something had attacked him.
More and more of these lesions became present . Hence I booked a second visit with the vet . He took Chester to seek opinion of other vets within the premises and came back and showed us more photos of other lesions on his underbelly .
He said he thought it may be a very aggressive form of cancer. He would run bloods , do a biopsy and more swabs etc.
We left Chester for the day picked him up in the afternoon after a day of crying , anguish and disbelief of what we heard and brought him back to family and his sister . Put them both in the laundry together as Chester was all bandaged up from the lesions , so they could spend time together .
I felt very fortunate that we could bring him back whilst waiting for results . His sister Winter could spend some time , we could spend his last days with him .
He was with family who loved him very very much .
Now waiting for a miracle but we have all had a chance to process , discuss our next step for our loved family member Chester .
If it should be a very aggressive cancer we not allow him to be in any more pain . We will let him go to doggy heaven . If it’s not then our prayers have been answered .🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
So I was told by one vet enlarged Adam’s apple which I was never offered any info about testing etc until 2 days after appointment which lasted over an hour when I asked why no others tests were done or anything explained to me period. I was told by the vet I didn’t know your financial status. Took him to another vet where they said he had a rotten tooth when I asked could it be due to swollen lymph nodes due to rotten teeth cause infection. Was told no. Then after a cancer screening of the throat region was done and came back negative for cancer I was told to have ct scans done. Then while he was under having ct scan done. I guess I should’ve asked if since they are saying that the cancer screen isn’t accurate at the 2nd vet that told me to go for ct scans go get the scans which I guess with everything I am going through mentally should’ve asked about doing biopsy while he was under. So that way there could be accurate evidence but instead they just said it’s cancer and it needs to be removed well since another 6000.00 after spending 6000.00 in just 2 short months is a little hard to swallow especially when on ssdi and can’t work due to mental issues. I never thought in a million years I would have to use a recording device to advocate for my loved companion who has good and bad days. Since I am a numbers person and need to see accurate proof it’s hard to trust, and swallow. His appetite hasn’t changed, also had his thyroid checked, ct scans were for throat chest and abdomen which only problem was throat. But his abdomen looks swollen which everyone asked how much he eats. His quality of life is good right now bounces around with his toys yes he is older. Age range 10-12 due to he is a rescue black lab pit mix and my reason for living. It is so hard being a pet parent with the love and loss but without a pet to love back as much as they love us is more than many of us out there only really need. Praying for the ones with broken hearts. I know this may not help some but I look at it this way. God sends us what we need and when we need it. But God also needs our beloved back so he can send us a new one that needs that unconditional love we all desire.
My beautiful girl Yoko is dying from hemangiosarcoma, she’s a fox red Labrador/retriever & was my guide dog until she retired last September.Yoko had her spleen removed at New Year & I was told the devastating news that she wouldn’t be around for very long – I’m more than heartbroken,she’s my reason to get up every day & I can’t imagine my life without her – she’s funny,stubborn,lovable & stunning & as I’m on my own, our bond is especially special. I just wanted to share my thoughts with people that really know what I’m going through & as I’m not fit enough to have another guide dog she really is & always will be the love of my life.
Thoughts go to all the people who have written to you & any advice on how you get over this. Thankyou
Oh Lyn, I am so sorry to hear about Yoko, every dog is special for sure, but when you have a guide dog that bond is so strong between the two of you. I am not sure that you ever “get over this” but things do get better. We have put together a section on Coping with the loss of a dog on this site and a resource for you, our grief journal (look in the nav menu under “resources”). Also, joining a grief group helps also.
I’m having such a hard time with my 10 year old chow, Ekko. We took him to the vet with what I thought were food allergies. Turns out it’s a melanoma tumor the size of a golfball in his throat. The vet said even with removal he only had 3-6 months because it would grow back fast. Without surgery, he only has a few weeks before the tumor will impact his breathing. Due to his age, we decided it’d be best for him to live as comfortably as he can these next few weeks. We have noticed some reverse sneeze sounds a few times, which I assume is the tumor getting caught over his airway. Then he recently starting dry heaving. It’s so difficult because other than that he is so normal. Other than sleeping more, he loves to eat, play with his toys, cuddle, he wags his tail so much. The vet visit was two weeks ago. I know his time is coming. I’ve accepted it as much as I can for now. I see in his eyes he’s getting ready as he isn’t feeling like himself. I don’t want him to suffocate since the tumor is so fast growing, but how do you ever know when is time? There will never be enough time with him. I’m thinking either this Sunday, Easter, or next, but I fear next Sunday is too far and he will suffer. We plan on doing an at home euthanasia. My other dog Chloe is 14 and I was preparing for her to leave us first and this is still such a shock, I’m devastated. I grew up with cats and these are my first dogs and it feels like a human family member death. I’m never going to be ready to let go, but that’s life isn’t it? Gonna miss him so much 😭
We are so sorry to learn of Ekko’s diagnosis. It’s never easy to say goodbye to our fur babies. We went through this with our dogs and its the reason we created the grief journal (you can download a complimentary copy from our home page).