The end of a pet's life is one of the most delicate moments in the relationship between people and their animals. It involves changes in routine, difficult decisions, and an intense emotional burden. Every multi-species family... They experience this phase in a unique way, but they all share the same desire: to provide comfort, respect, and dignity to the pet that has accompanied them through so many phases and chapters of family life.
The point is that when an animal starts needing palliative care, the home is transformed : the multi-species family reorganizes schedules , adapts the environment, learns to recognize signs of discomfort, and begins to look at daily life with more attention and sensitivity. This period can be challenging, but it is also profoundly loving—it's when the bond proves stronger than ever.
When loss occurs, it leaves a real and legitimate void. The pet owner feels the absence in the routine, habits, and small gestures shared throughout the day and years. Therefore, it is essential that grief be recognized and embraced, because grief only exists when there is love, and the veterinarian is fundamental at this time, being present and walking alongside the family offering guidance, empathy, and security.
Therefore, in this interview, our journalist and Veterinary Doctor, Pauline Machado, offers reflections and clarifications to help families understand not only the end-of-life and bereavement process , but also so that they can find support during this very sensitive time.
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Pet Med - What makes the grief over the loss of a pet so profound and meaningful for so many families?
Pauline Machado - Grief over the loss of a pet is profound because it involves a bond built through daily interaction, small gestures, and the silent routine that only those who truly live with the pet perceive and understand . A pet participates in everyday moments that no one else witnesses : waking up with the family, sharing meals, perceiving emotions, providing comfort on difficult days, and celebrating moments of joy. When this companion is gone, the house changes, the silence changes, and the routine changes. This disruption of continuity is emotionally powerful.
Furthermore, many pet owners see their pets as part of the family identity, as a member who was always present without judgment, without demands, and with genuine affection. The absence creates an empty space that is not symbolic—it is concrete. Therefore, the grief is real and deserves to be recognized and experienced with respect.
Pet Med - How does the routine of a multi-species family change when a pet enters the final stage of life or becomes dependent on palliative care?
Pauline Machado - When an animal enters the final stage of its life, the household routine naturally reorganizes itself. People begin to pay closer attention to signs of pain, discomfort, appetite, and mobility. The family starts to adapt schedules for medication, hygiene, feeding, and physical and emotional support. Pathways within the house may be rearranged; slippery areas are covered with rugs; water and food are placed closer together; the environment becomes calmer and more predictable.
This change is not only practical , but also emotional. Everyone becomes more sensitive, attentive, and present . The dynamics between human members also change: each person expresses care and concern in their own way. In homes with other animals, the reorganization is even greater, as they perceive the fragility of their companion and may adjust their behavior, becoming closer or quieter. It is a period of unity, affection, and emotional preparation.
Pet Med - What signs indicate that family members should talk to the veterinarian about palliative care?
Pauline Machado - Palliative care should be considered when we realize that curative treatment no longer provides the expected benefit or when the disease has progressed to a point where the focus needs to be on comfort. Among the signs I most often observe are: persistent pain, difficulty eating, loss of autonomy, excessive fatigue, respiratory difficulties, cognitive changes, recurrent infections, or progressive organ system failure.
At this stage, conversation with the veterinarian is essential to define personalized protocols such as , for example , adjusting analgesics, adapted nutrition, light physiotherapy, comfort techniques, emotional support, wound management, symptom control, and daily quality of life assessment. Palliative care is not giving up . On the contrary, it is caring in an even more careful and individualized way.
Pet Med - How can a veterinarian offer compassionate and emotional support to families during the end-of-life process?
Pauline Machado - The veterinarian plays a fundamental role, not only technically, but also humanly. Welcoming the family begins with active listening: allowing the family to talk about their fears, doubts, and emotions should be a priority . Then, it's necessary to translate medical information simply, without alarming them, but also without masking reality. Because, welcoming encompasses precisely this: clearly explaining what is happening, helping to identify signs of suffering, teaching how to provide comfort at home, and closely monitoring the family without making them feel lost. In many cases, a sensitive approach , a calm, empathetic, and respectful demeanor makes as much difference as medication. The family needs to feel supported, that they are not alone, and that every decision will be made with confidence.
Pet Med . Feelings like guilt and doubt are common at this stage. How can we guide pet owners in dealing with these emotions?
Pauline Machado - Guilt arises because the guardian loves , and those who love fear failure. But it's important to show that guilt almost never has a real basis. The family did what they could with the information, resources, and conditions they had at the time. There are no perfect family guardians ; there are only present , concerned , and caring family members , and that is enough.
Doubt is also natural, because end-of-life decisions are emotionally heavy. Therefore, guidance means reminding family members that they are not alone, that the veterinarian is there to help them understand the pet's limits, possibilities, and real needs. When we understand that decisions are made not only based on technical information, but also on love and the animal's well-being, guilt loses its power and gives way to serenity.
Pet Med - How to talk to children and other family members about saying goodbye to a pet?
Pauline Machado - With children, the key is honesty with gentleness. It is not recommended to use metaphors such as "he fell asleep" or "he went on a trip," as this can generate fear and confusion. It is important to explain that the pet's body was very ill, that he no longer felt well, and that now he is at peace, without pain.
It is important to allow the child to express sadness, ask questions, and participate in small farewell rituals to help process grief in a healthy way. Adults also have their own pace , and it is important that each family member is respected. Words like "already" or "still," in contexts such as "are you going to adopt another one already?" or "are you still sad?", should be left out of the routine of families going through the grieving process, because everyone has their own time and needs in the face of these events. In multi-species families , everyone needs space, time, and support.
Pet Med - How can the topic of euthanasia be approached ethically and respectfully, without pressure or haste?
Pauline Machado - Euthanasia is a very delicate matter and needs to be handled with extreme sensitivity. I always explain that it's not about speeding up death, but about preventing suffering when the pet no longer has the possibility of comfort. It's an ethical decision that requires careful evaluation, transparent dialogue, and respect for the family's emotional time, always based on the veterinarian's guidance and the family's decision.
The conversation should never be imposing; it should be informative. I explain quality of life criteria, assess pain , functionality and suffering, and make it clear that the final decision always rests with the family. My role is to guide, support and ensure that, if necessary, the procedure is carried out with dignity, comfort and love.
Pet Med - What criteria help families assess their pet's quality of life and understand if euthanasia should be considered?
Pauline Machado - There are specific tools, such as quality of life scales, that analyze pain, mobility, appetite, weakness, interaction, hygiene, sleep, breathing, and the ability to enjoy simple moments. Another method is the "daily balance": observing how many good days and how many bad days the pet has , keeping a kind of pet diary . When bad days become frequent, when suffering becomes constant and uncontrollable, when there is an inability to eat, breathe, or rest properly, it's time to talk openly about alternatives. The decision is not about giving up, but about relieving. It's a profound gesture of love.
Pet Med - How might other animals in the house react to your absence? How can the family help them?
Pauline Machado - Yes, they can. Many animals notice changes in the smell, routine, and emotional climate of the house. They may seek out their absent companion, become quieter, eat less, sleep more, or become more needy. These reactions are normal. The family can help by maintaining the routine, offering more attention, not forcing interactions, and respecting each animal's pace. Some recover quickly, others take weeks. The important thing is to ensure safety, stability, and affection.
Pet Med - How can family members transform the grieving period into a healthy process of tribute and remembrance?
Pauline Machado - The memory of a pet can be transformed into rituals that bring comfort: creating a corner with photos, writing a farewell letter, keeping a special toy, or planting a tree in honor of the animal. Talking about happy moments, reminiscing about stories, and sharing them with friends and family helps to give new meaning to grief. Mourning doesn't have to be a heavy silence; it can be a vivid reminder of the story that was built.
Pet Med - Is there an ideal time to adopt another pet? What should the family consider before making this decision?
Pauline Machado – As I said before, grief is a process, and during the various stages of this process, words should or should not be used. Some families feel that early adoption brings light to the home; others need a period of pause and introspection. The most important thing is that adoption is not an attempt to "fill a void," but an opening to a new bond. Some questions are important for all family members to ask themselves, such as: " Are we ready to love a new being, with its own personality? " " Are we adopting out of love or to try to ease the pain? " The answer must come from a place of emotional clarity.
Pet Med – Finally, could you explain what remains after a pet passes away and how that bond continues to be a part of the family's life?
Pauline Machado - What remains is the love experienced, the shared history, the positive change that animal brought to the family. It remains in habits, in memories, and even in the way the family comes to care for other animals. The bond doesn't disappear , it transforms. It ceases to be physical and becomes emotional, affective, symbolic. Love, even after parting, continues to be part of the multi-species family's identity . That's how the pet remains: alive in memory, in longing, and in the impact it left on the lives of each person and the other pets in the family.
