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Knowing what to do when your dog nears the end.
This can make them as comfortable as they can at the end of their life.
Comforting a dying Frenchie is an emotional task and you must prepare yourself ahead of such moments.
One of the most remarkable facts about French Bulldogs is the longevity of their life. They tend to have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years, and the primary cause of their death is usually old age.
So, if you own a Frenchie, provided it is healthy and fed quality food, you stand a good chance of spending incredible long years with it.
However, as much as you might wish it, your Frenchie can’t live forever. The more joy and love it gives you, the more heartbreaking it is to handle its death.
Most dogs owners experience the same stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance – as when a member of their family dies.
So, to avoid these, comforting your dying french Bulldog is mutually beneficial.
You don’t only ease your dog’s transition, you help yourself skip some stages of grief while fully accepting this unavoidable eventuality.
This article gives an exposition into everything you need to know about how to comfort your dying french bulldog.
My French Bulldog is Dying, How Long Does it Take?
If you have never experienced a dog dying, you might be clueless about how long it takes.
Check this post, we talked about 12 Warning Signs Your French Bulldog is Dying
But one thing you need to know is that, as your dog is closer to death, the dying process begins.
This process can be painful, long, lonely, and sad for the dog, making it very demanding and stressful for you.
So knowing how long it would take is crucial for you to provide as much support, care and comfort for your furry friend who has been a significant part of your life and family.
The dying phase of your French Bulldog is as long as how strong your dog is in enduring and withstanding pain.
It’s also heavily dependent on the severity of the excruciating pain it feels and the complications which arise from the terminal conditions it nurses.
It can take days, weeks, and months, so contacting your vet is necessary to get an estimate.
It would help if you also understood that this estimate is not definite. The reason it’s an estimate is that the death of your dog can happen earlier than the given date or later.
As such, it is a probability. But you would still need to meet the veterinarian to get information that helps you put things in perspective.
How to Comfort a Dying French Bulldog
Caring for your dying Frenchie mostly depends on the severity of its condition.
While some dogs require a relaxed and calm environment with little care, others require attention and supervision for 24 hours every day.
Whatever the case might be with yours.
Your availability during this challenging moment can be exceptionally comforting for your dog.
You don’t only get to spend extra time with your dog; you would also find comfort and peace of mind in being there for a pet that’s been around you and your family for a long time.
The following are some of the ways to comfort your dying French Bulldog:
1. Knowing Your Situation
The first way you can genuinely comfort your dying French Bulldog is by knowing your situation.
This implies that you have to see the kind of care your dog’s condition demands to know how you’ll commit to it.
Here is when you need the help of your vet to help you understand what to do and what not to do.
Another significant aspect to understanding your situation with your dying french Bulldog is the mental preparation of its expected demise.
It is always tricky if you genuinely love your dog. As a result, the following are some of the ways you can prepare yourself:
- Giving in to full grief
People hold differing opinions on the necessity of grieving a lost pet.
Some people think it is pointless, but you should understand that you only know how you feel, and it is your responsibility to do whatever you want with your feelings.
So, if you wish to prepare yourself mentally for the loss of your dog adequately, you should allow yourself grief fully.
- Be around your loved ones
There is a high possibility of developing certain unhealthy habits due to grief. This is why being around your loved ones is necessary.
They won’t only give you support for your loss, they’ll also notify you of changes in your behaviour which you are unconscious of. Their honesty this time is invaluable.
- Avoid Replacing your Pet Immediately
You have to be patient with replacing your pet.
Every Frenchie has unique traits, and you might be imposing when you expect the qualities of your old dog in the new one.
If you fail to exercise patience, the result could be grave and adverse, so you must give it time.
2. Create a Quiet and Comfortable Environment
Another way you can comfort your dying French Bulldog is by creating a quiet, calm, and familiar environment for it.
You can never downplay the importance of this act because dogs love to be in a familiar environment during this time.
So, it would help if you got them a place separate from the traffic and activities of the house, especially as close to you as possible.
This place must be warm, and the dogs bedding must be changed constantly no matter how challenging it could be due to loss of bowel and bladder control.
If your Frenchie exhibits symptoms of luxation or any other joint problems, you should get an orthopaedic bed.
3. Plenty Water and Favorite Meal
Supplying your dying dog enough water is the best way to keep it hydrated.
In cases where the dog fails to drink freshwater, you can use a syringe or find other creative ways to keep it fed and hydrated.
For instance, you can add broth to the water due to its smell or other potent tactics.
Also, feeding it its favourite food would be helpful because it would be difficult for it not to eat what it loves even if there’s a lack of appetite.
Yet, ensure you don’t give them too many solid foods that will affect their stomach and cause indigestion.
Instead of that, mix the food with enough water and serve them small portions from time to time.
4. Interact with your Frenchie
The best way to avoid making your dog feel neglected is to interact with it.
The same way you give it as much attention when it is healthy is how you should give it during this trying time.
But, you have to be strategic, so you don’t wear the dog out. For example, you can give long gentle strokes and short walks.
Another important aspect of interaction is communication. Giving your dog a helpless look can encourage negative vibes and silence.
Dogs understand verbal cues, so try to speak to it in low tones for it to be assured you’re with it along the way.
What to do when the Dog Dies
It can be difficult dealing with the trauma of the death of your dog. What’s worse is the uncertainty on what to do with the remains of the dog.
If you are confused, the first thing to do is clean every area the dog has touched to wipe out fluid and reduce the spread of germs. And memorializing your dog.
Other things you can do include:
- Dog Cremation
If you wish, you could have your dog cremated, and this could be done independently of your veterinary doctor.
Although it is costly, it is a viable option in memorializing your dog because you can either keep the ashes or spread them across your dog’s favourite spots.
This cost varies per crematorium and their packages. It is also dependent on the size of your dog and how you want the process to be executed.
- Home Burial
Home burial is the cheapest option for memorializing your dog. Giving it a resting place of its own at home shows how important it is to the family.
And it is legal in most countries as long as it’s in your own house.
What’s more, the grave must be three feet deep to ensure it is adequately covered.
It would help if you also informed your vet whether the remains won’t be hazardous for people in the house.
- Pets Cemetery
You can also bury the dead dog at a designated cemetery for pets.
This can be a costly option because you’re required to buy some portion of space in the cemetery.
But it is also an option on what to do after your dog dies. You also have the option of erecting a headstone or marker on the gravesite.
What to do Next
After doing everything mentioned above, you should take a break for as long as you want before getting another dog.
This time would help you heal and deal with the loss of your dog. It would also help you enjoy the peculiarities of your new dog pet.
