Watching a dog pass away naturally can be upsetting and can lead to many unanswered questions. A common one is, why do dogs want to be alone when they die?
Some dogs instinctively want to be alone when they are about to die. It has been hypothesized that this is because their body would attract predators and could be dangerous to the pack.
In this article, I’m going to share some of my experiences losing my dog. What happened and what I would do differently.
Many dog owners have described situations where their dog had wandered away to die. Sometimes wandering off and found by a neighbour. Or their dog huddled away in a corner of the house where they don’t normally go.
As humans, we like to be around our loved ones when they pass, and it can be very unsettling when we don’t get the chance to do that with our beloved dog whom we love so much.
My mother experienced this. She was sleeping like any other night when she heard a “thump” noise in the middle of the night. It startled her, but then the noise went away, so she went back to sleep.
The next morning when she woke up, she found that her dog had passed away in the middle of the floor of the living room floor.
And like many humans, was questioning why on earth wouldn’t her dog come to her if he wasn’t feeling well. She thought maybe there was a chance she could have somehow saved his life.
However, not every dog exhibits the behaviour of wanting to be along when they pass away. Some dogs exhibits the complete opposite behaviour where they whine and cry if their owner leaves their side.
Onyx was always a bundle of joy and energy. But in the last week of her life, she had stopped eating and her energy levels dropped drastically. She had such low energy that she couldn’t even walk.
I was worried about her, even though she was 15 ½ at that point, I knew the end was near. But I wasn’t giving up on her. I called and booked a veterinarian appointment for the following morning at 8AM.
The night before our appointment, she started “yiping” anytime I would leave her side. I thought she was in pain, but as soon as I returned to her side, she would calm down.
I stayed with her all night. I unrolled a sleeping bad and slept next to her. I think it was very comforting for her to know that I was there in her final moments.
It’s mystifying how some dogs want to be alone while others want you to be with them. There doesn’t seem to be any reasons why a dog would pick one over the other. It could be instinctual or it a personality trait. We will never truly know.
Have you ever wondered if your furry best friend might try to leave your side when their time comes? It’s one of those heart-wrenching questions that many pet parents face when their beloved companions reach their senior years The question of whether dogs distance themselves when they are dying is complex and deeply emotional – something I’ve personally struggled with as both a dog owner and someone who’s helped friends through this difficult journey
The Truth About Dogs Isolating Before Death
The simple answer is: yes, many dogs do seek isolation when they’re approaching the end of their life. But like most things with our complex canine companions, it’s not quite that straightforward.
According to multiple veterinary sources isolation or seeking solitude is indeed one of the common signs that a dog may be nearing the end of their life. This behavior can manifest in different ways
- Your normally affectionate pup might suddenly prefer to be alone
- They might hide in unusual places around your home
- Some dogs may even attempt to wander away from home entirely
But what’s equally interesting is that the opposite can also be true! Some dogs become unusually clingy or needy as they approach the end, seeking constant companionship and reassurance from their owners.
Why Do Dogs Hide When They’re Dying?
There’s no definitive answer since our pups can’t tell us directly, but experts suggest several possible explanations:
Instinctual Behavior
Dogs, despite thousands of years of domestication, still retain many of their wild instincts. In nature, a weakened animal is vulnerable to predators. By hiding when they’re sick or dying, dogs may be following an ancient instinct to protect themselves when they’re at their most vulnerable.
As one source explains: “A dog whose body is failing him and who doesn’t have the ability to fight back, sometimes hides. His instinct is to isolate himself for protection… This instinct can override the years of love, safety, and warmth you’ve given your best friend.”
Seeking Comfort or Peace
Sometimes, a dog might seek out a quiet, undisturbed place simply because they’re uncomfortable or in pain. They may be looking for a peaceful environment where they can rest without disturbance.
Confusion or Disorientation
As dogs approach the end of life, they may experience neurological changes that cause confusion or disorientation. Some dogs might wander off not necessarily to “hide,” but because they’re confused and unable to find their way back.
7 Common End-of-Life Signs in Dogs
Isolation is just one of several signs that might indicate your dog is nearing the end of their life. Here are other important behaviors to watch for:
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Lack of appetite or thirst: Dogs often refuse food or become very picky eaters as they approach death. They may also drink less water.
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Extreme lethargy: Spending most of their time sleeping or lying down and showing little interest in activities they once enjoyed.
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Significant weight loss: Often resulting from decreased appetite, with weight loss accelerating as the dog ages or becomes more ill.
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Difficulty breathing: Labored, irregular, or open-mouth breathing, even while resting.
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Incontinence: Loss of bladder or bowel control, sometimes having accidents in their sleep or while walking.
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Decreased mobility or poor coordination: Stumbling, slipping, or difficulty getting up stairs or onto furniture.
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Trouble regulating body temperature: Becoming too hot or cold and having difficulty maintaining normal body temperature.
Do Dogs Know They Are Dying?
This is one of those questions that keeps me up at night sometimes. Do our beloved companions understand what’s happening to them?
The answer isn’t clear-cut. Some veterinarians and animal behaviorists believe that dogs may have a sense of their impending death due to changes in their bodies. However, there’s no scientific consensus on this matter.
What we do know is that dogs are incredibly perceptive and responsive to changes in their physical condition. Whether they conceptualize “death” as we do is unknown, but they certainly respond to the physical and emotional changes they experience.
How Your Dog Might Say “Goodbye”
While dogs can’t verbally communicate a “goodbye,” many pet owners report behaviors that could be interpreted as a form of farewell:
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Prolonged eye contact: Many owners report their dogs making unusual, sustained eye contact in their final days.
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Sudden bursts of energy: Known as the “last bloom” or “rally,” some dogs experience a brief period of improved energy before declining rapidly.
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Seeking out special people: Some dogs make a point to spend time with each family member, almost as if making rounds to say goodbye.
Supporting Your Dog During Their Final Days
If your dog is showing signs of nearing the end of their life, here are some ways you can provide comfort:
Create a Safe, Comfortable Environment
- Provide soft, easily accessible bedding
- Keep their area clean and dry
- Ensure their food and water are within easy reach
- Consider ramps or steps if they struggle with mobility
Follow Their Lead
If your dog seeks isolation, respect their space but check on them regularly. If they become clingy, provide the extra attention and reassurance they need.
Consult Your Veterinarian
Your vet can:
- Help manage pain with appropriate medications
- Advise on when euthanasia might be the most humane option
- Provide guidance on end-of-life care specific to your dog’s condition
What Should You Do If Your Dog Tries to Hide?
It’s heartbreaking when our dogs try to distance themselves at the end, especially when we just want to comfort them. Here’s what you can do:
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Create safe hiding spots at home: If your dog is seeking solitude, create comfortable, quiet spaces where they can rest while still being monitored.
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Prevent wandering: For dogs with declining health, secure your yard and home to prevent them from wandering off.
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Check regularly: If your dog is hiding, check on them frequently but respect their need for space.
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Consider their comfort: Sometimes bringing your dog out of hiding might cause more stress. Evaluate whether they seem peaceful where they are.
A Personal Note on Saying Goodbye
I still remember my childhood dog Maggie, a chocolate Labrador who started spending more time under the deck in her final weeks. At first, we kept bringing her inside, thinking she was confused. But our vet helped us understand that she was seeking quiet and solitude. We made her a comfortable bed in her chosen spot and spent time sitting quietly with her instead of forcing her inside.
It wasnt easy to accept that she didn’t want to be in her usual spot on the living room floor, but I’ve come to understand that respecting her choice was our final act of love.
Final Thoughts
If your dog does try to distance themselves when they are dying, please know that it’s not because they didn’t love you or consider you their best friend. Even after years of providing them with love and comfort, they might still follow their instincts at the end.
The most important thing is to ensure they’re not suffering. Work with your veterinarian to understand when it might be time to consider euthanasia to prevent unnecessary pain.
Remember, our dogs give us their entire lives – from playful puppyhood to dignified old age. The least we can do is honor their needs and preferences in their final days, even when it breaks our hearts.
Whether your dog seeks solitude or wants you by their side every moment, what matters most is that you’re there for them in whatever way they need – just as they’ve always been there for you.
Have you experienced this with your own dog? Or are you currently supporting an aging pet? Share your experiences in the comments below – sometimes sharing our stories helps us all navigate these difficult waters together.
Dealing With The Loss
Losing a pet is extremely painful and difficult. To some people, it feels like it’s even harder than losing someone they know.
Our pets are like our children. We take care of them and look after them their entire lives. They’re a big part of our every day life, and losing them is extremely painful.
The hardest day will be the day your dog passes away. You will need some time to grieve. Take the day off work, and if you can, take the entire week off to help you deal with the loss.
Don’t commit to doing anything during this time. It’s important to give yourself time to grieve and allow yourself to process the loss of your dog.
Be mindful that everything in your home will remind you of your dog. Their sleeping area. Their toys. Their food bowl. Everything.
It may be a good idea of putting all of your dog’s belongings in a large box that is kept out of sight until you’re ready to deal with them emotionally.
It will take time for you to feel better. It may be a few days, a few weeks, or even an entire year.
There’s no “right” or “wrong”, your grief will last as long as it needs to last. The important thing is to feel the loss and to not keep it all bottled up inside.
What To Do Immediately After
Whether your dog passes away on their own, or with you at their side, losing a pet is extremely difficult. It’s a different kind of pain that only those who have lost a pet can truly understand.
When I lost my dog, I cried.
I couldn’t stop thinking about what I could have done to prevent this from happening. Maybe I could have brought my dog to the veterinarian sooner?
It took me a long time to realize, but we can’t control our dog’s faith. They will pass away when their time is due, the same way we will pass away when our time is due.
If you’re religious, then you will most likely want to say a prayer for your lost dog. If you’re not religious, then telling your dog you love them can be very meaningful.
After my dog Onyx passed away in her bed, I covered her in a blanket and called my veterinarian to arrange her body to be cremated.
One of the hardest thing I ever had to do as a dog owner, was to carry her body into the car, and into the veterinarian’s office. I am so lucky that a friend was able to come by that day and help me.
I feel sad talking about these things, but as a dog owner who has gone through them, I feel it’s important to share.
One of the things I was unaware of, was that when a dog passes away, their bodily fluids and gas will be released. If their bladder is full, then there will be a puddle of urine after they pass away.
This happened when my dog Onyx passed away. When I went to move her body, the bed she was sleeping in was full of urine. Had I known this would happen, I would have put a couple of towels underneath.
It’s also common for some feces to leak out. This usually only happens when the dog has had diarrhea.
Another thing that caught me by surprise was to see that my dog’s eyes stayed opened even after she had passed away.
This is because that’s the “natural” relaxed position for when a dog passes away. It’s the same thing for humans as well.
10 Signs of Farewell Signals Sent by Dogs Before They Pass Away
FAQ
How do you know when your dog is getting close to the end?
- They withdraw from usual behavior
- They stop eating and drinking
- Uncontrollable bowel and urination starts happening
- Breathing gets short and fast
- They’re less active, if anything at all
- They start sleeping more
- A coughing, or hacking, might start happening
What is the behavior of an old dog before death?
Senior dogs may become more irritable or withdrawn. They might show less interest in activities they once loved, such as playing fetch or going for walks.
What happens right before a dog dies?
- 1) Prolonged Lethargy/Disinterest This is the most common sign that the dying process has begun.
- 2) Stops Eating/Drinking
- 3) Loss of Coordination
- 4) Incontinence
- 5) Labored Breathing
- 6) Seeking Comfort
What are some signs of a dog dying?
Signs a dog may be dying include severe lethargy, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and unresponsiveness. Other symptoms are weakness, disorientation, and changes in gum color. Causes vary from chronic illness to organ failure. Immediate veterinary care is crucial for diagnosis and comfort measures.