Here is what you should do to best support your pet through their final moments, according to a vet

It's a difficult time for many of us. After many wonderful years by our side, our pets eventually leave us. And sometimes, because of health problems or simply old age, they may have to be euthanized. This is an extremely painful moment for any human being, but what really happens to your dog, cat or rodent when it comes to living its last moments?

Here's the worst thing you can do for your pet

Faced with this situation, you need to know what is and isn't good for your beloved pet. And that's what a South African veterinary surgeon wanted to say loud and clear. His message was relayed by Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital & 24hr Emergency Service on social media. And it may well help some people to open their eyes to euthanasia.

When you're a pet owner, it's inevitable, in the majority of cases, that your pet will die before you. So when you have to take your pet to the vet for a humane and painless end, I want you all to know something. You've been the center of his world for his whole life! He may be partof yours, but all he knows is you, his family. It's a crappy decision to make every time, for sure, and it's devastating for us humans to lose them. But please, don't let them die alone.

Don't make them go from life to death in a strange place, in a place they don't like. What you need to know, what we don't know, is that he's looking for you when you leave him alone!

Read more:An euthanasia veterinarian reveals what animals feel before being put down

'Imagine how he feels when you leave him alone'

In the rest of his poignant message, the vet asks us to take the animal's feelings into account.

Don't be a coward, imagine how hefeels when you leave him alone at the most difficult time of his life.

This moving statement from a 'tired, heartbroken vet' should give many people pause for thought when that difficult moment comes, and we wouldn't wish it on anyone. Yes, it's heartbreaking to see your pet close their eyes one last time in front of you, but it's even more heartbreaking to imagine them closing their eyes all alone.

Read more:This dog was found tied to a gate with a terrible note from its owners

This article has been translated from Gentside FR.

Sources used:

Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital & 24hr Emergency Service