In this article on our site we are going to explain the different ways in which it is possible to put a dog to sleep This includes all meanings which has the term. Thus, we will talk about how to put a dog to sleep to help it fall asleep, how we can put it to sleep if we have to treat it or subject it to a hairdressing session or how to put a dog to sleep forever. This last case is called euthanasia. It should be remembered that all drugs must always be prescribed by a veterinarian and that we should never self-medicate without the consent of a specialist.
Thus, below we will explain both how to put a dog to sleep thinking about sleep and rest, and how to euthanize a dog and in which cases it is recommended.
Why isn't my dog sleeping?
Before explaining how to put a dog to sleep, it is convenient that we know the causes that can alter his sleep. In this way, we will avoid them as much as possible. We highlight the following:
- Illness, if the dog is upset or shows symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or itching, it will be difficult for him to fall asleep. If we suspect that he is suffering from any pathology, we should go to the vet
- Stress, which can be caused by multiple causes. For example, a new dog in a new home may not feel relaxed enough to sleep.
- Excitation, since a state of nervousness and disturbance is incompatible with sleep. This is more common in young dogs who are starting to play and don't know when to stop.
- If we have an entire male and detect a female in heat, it is likely that she will have trouble falling asleep, because her instincts will have other priorities
How to teach a dog to sleep?
The first thing we must be clear about is that it is not possible to learn to sleep Sleep is a physiological need that, under normal conditions, It will evolve with the individual. Thus, newborn puppies will sleep practically throughout the day, while an adult dog will have many more hours of activity. In elderly dogs, sleep can be disturbed.
In general, dogs usually sleep without any problem and we only have to worry that they have a good place to rest. Sometimes our dog does not want to sleep in his bed. It may be because he is hot and prefers the cool of the floor or because he likes another place that is more comfortable for him and that usually coincides with our sofa or our bed. From the moment the dog arrives at home we must decide whether to allow him to use these places or not. And it must be a decision agreed upon and respected by the whole family. Conflicting commands will confuse the dog. If we let him sleep with us and we are a light sleeper, it is possible that our dog will not let us sleep. The older ones because some sleep less at night, getting up and turning around. Younger people, on the other hand, may prefer to play.
We have said that sleeping cannot be taught, but we can provide a relaxed environment that encourages sleep The best if our dog does not want to sleep is to establish a routine, for him and, as far as possible, for us, since they usually adapt to our rhythms. Before sleep you should have eaten and drunk, so that you do not feel hungry or thirsty. He must have walked too. Be careful, a quiet walk is recommended, but not intense activity or rough games that can excite him. Turning off televisions, radios or mobile phones, in addition to the light, and preparing ourselves to rest, is a way to reduce stimuli and to indicate to our dog that it is time to sleep. It is important to establish these guidelines regardless of the dog's age.
How to put a baby dog to sleep?
The most common problem we come across in this case is that the dog does not want to sleep alone. It is normal for a puppy recently separated from his family to cry if he is left alone in a house where he has not yet established bonds with its members.
Years ago it was said that at bedtime we should leave these little ones alone in their bed and, even if they cried, we had to ignore them. Currently, the opposite is proposed. There is no doubt that the best way to put a puppy to sleep is with our arms. While he adjusts to the home we can accompany him like this until he falls asleep or, at least, caress him and reassure him while he is in his bedThe guidelines that we have mentioned in the previous section also serve for these little ones. Likewise, we can place his bed in our room so that he does not feel alone and falls asleep much better, at the same time that we initiate and reinforce the bond with him. Little by little we can get him used to sleeping in another space in the home if that is what we want, but until he adapts to his new home, it is important to offer the puppy security and confidence.
On the other hand, it is important to note that, even if we leave your bed in another room from the first moment, it is not recommended to close the door of our roomAs we have said, the first nights he will cry and, possibly, he will try to access us to feel accompanied. This situation generates frustration, stress and anxiety in the dog, which can trigger more or less serious behavior problems. By having access, they feel calmer and we avoid unpleasant situations for the dog and for us.
The following article explains in more detail how to act in these cases: "What to do if my puppy cries at night?".
How to put a dog to sleep fast?
Besides sleep, there are other situations in which we will need the dog to be asleep. We refer to cures or veterinary procedures that some will not tolerate but, as it is essential to perform them, there is no other option than sedation
Thus, the most important thing if we want to know how to put a dog to sleep to cut its hair or how to put a dog to sleep to cure it, is to be clear that these sedations only the can be done by veterinariansGenerally, they are made by injecting a product intramuscularly. This puts the dog to sleep very quickly and keeps him sedated long enough for a full grooming session or any cure.
The veterinarians will inform us in detail about the procedure and will ask us to sign a consent for sedation. This type of sedation is common in hairdressers, because for many dogs it is difficult to accept the manipulations that a haircut will require.
How to put a dog to sleep with pills?
In addition to injections, there are pills with a sedative effect They take longer to put the dog to sleep and tend to induce less deep sleep. They are the ones that are usually used when we have to travel and the dog does not tolerate movement well. It will also be the veterinarian who prescribes the product and, very importantly, the dose.
The usual thing is to offer them to the dog in the half hour before the moment in which we need them to take effect. You have to know that not all animals react the same to their intake, which means that for some they will not be very effective. Even so, we should never increase the dose without authorization from the veterinarian The duration of its sedative effect will also depend on the metabolism of each dog. It will gradually wake up on its own.
On the other hand, we must know that it is not recommended to use this method to put a dog to sleep every day. Thus, if our dog has separation anxiety, for example, or has difficulty sleeping at night, we will resort to other techniques to solve the problem rather than medication. In addition, we recommend visiting a canine educator or ethologist.
How to put a dog to sleep without suffering?
Sometimes our dog becomes seriously ill, suffers and there is no possible cure or relief. Only in these irreversible cases will the veterinarian be able to practice euthanasia or death without sufferingAnd only a veterinarian will be able to diagnose that the animal is in this terminal and incurable state.
In these cases we will be interested in knowing how to put our dog to sleep without pain. Although there may be some variation, euthanasia, which, we insist, can only be done by a veterinarian, is carried out after sedation of the dog. An overdose of a drug is injected through an IV that will cause immediate cardiac arrest Once sedated, you won't feel any pain. Although it is a terrible moment for us, we should strive to accompany him until the end.
How to put a dog to sleep naturally?
If by the term "sleep" we mean euthanizing a dog, we must know that there are no home remedies to put a dog to sleep forever In other words, we cannot sacrifice a dog without pain at home on our own, but it must be the veterinarian who applies euthanasia following the above parameters. This sedation can be done at home if that is what we want, both to guarantee the comfort of the dog and to avoid as far as possible the stress and/or fear that a visit to the clinic may entail for him. However, we repeat, it will be the specialist who will inject the animal.
Now, if by "sleep" we refer to the act of promoting and inducing sleep, in addition to promoting a relaxed environment, caressing and massaging the dog, we can offer relaxing infusions such as chamomile infusion. Again, it will be the veterinarian who will indicate the most appropriate infusion and dose.
