She said, “I asked my vet what the hardest part of his job was, and he told me that when he has to put an animal down, 90% of owners don’t want to be in the room, and it shattered my heart to hear that pets spend their final moments looking around for the people they love.”
In response to Jessi Dietrich’s tweet, Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital in South Africa shared a similar truth, urging pet owners to be present for their animals’ final moments despite the emotional difficulty.
The clinic, speaking through a “weary, broken-hearted vet,” pleaded with owners not to abandon their pets at the end, asking them to give comfort until the very last breath.
“I encourage you to stay with them,” the clinic wrote, explaining that animals look for their humans in every face, unable to understand why they’ve been left alone in their moment of greatest need.
When they are sick, scared, or dying, the vet explained, pets don’t comprehend your absence—they only know that the person they trust most is no longer there to comfort them.
Melbourne vet Dr. Lauren Bugeja echoed this, saying that while it can be emotionally overwhelming for owners, animals often pass peacefully when surrounded by familiar voices and calm reassurance.
Dr. Bugeja shared that she always comforts the animals personally with her nurse, ensuring they don’t feel alone or afraid as they drift away.
She warned that pets left in sterile exam rooms without their family can feel confused and anxious, which is why she always advises owners to stay if they choose euthanasia at the clinic.
The simple presence of a loved one in those final moments can offer comfort beyond words, making all the difference as a pet takes its final breath.
No matter how hard it may feel, staying with your pet until the very end is the last and most loving gift you can give them.