Healthy Pets, Fewer Regrets
Some things are beyond our control. But some regrets may be preventable.
Through our work in pet aftercare, we have accompanied many families through one of the most difficult parts of pet ownership — saying goodbye.
Over the years, we have heard many stories.
And we have heard these two words more often than we wish we did:
“If only…”
“If only I had brought my pet to the vet earlier.”
“I thought he was just tired.”
“I thought she would get better after some rest.”
“I thought it was just old age.”
“If only I had noticed it earlier…”
When these words are spoken after a beloved pet has passed away, they often carry more than grief.
They carry regret.
Of course, noticing something earlier does not mean that every illness can be prevented or every outcome can be changed.
Some illnesses cannot be prevented. Sometimes, even with timely veterinary care, the final outcome may still be beyond our control.
But earlier attention may give us more information, more options, and more time.
That is why we hope to turn some of the regrets we have witnessed at the end of a pet’s life into an earlier reminder for other pet parents:
While they are still beside us, know them a little better, observe them a little more closely, and act when something does not feel right.
Know what is normal for your pet
You spend more time with your pet than almost anyone else.
You know how much they normally eat and drink. You know where they like to sleep, how active they usually are, how they walk, play and interact with you.
These ordinary details can become important clues when something begins to change.
Pay attention to things such as:
– Appetite and water intake
– Pee and poo
– Energy and activity
– Sleeping habits
– Behaviour and interaction
– Body weight
– Breathing
– Walking and movement
When you know what is NORMAL, it becomes easier to notice what has CHANGED.
Sometimes we notice the change — but assume it is nothing
The problem is not always that we failed to notice something.
Sometimes, we noticed it.
We simply told ourselves:
“It’s probably nothing.”
“Maybe he’s just tired.”
“She should be fine after some rest.”
“Let’s wait another day.”
“It’s probably just old age.”
These thoughts are understandable.
But when a change persists, becomes more noticeable, or simply makes you feel that something is not right, it deserves attention.
Notice the change. Don’t ignore it.
See something different? Record it.
Our pets cannot tell us:
“Something hurts.”
And sometimes, what happened at home may no longer be happening by the time you reach the veterinary clinic.
If it is safe to do so, take a photo or short video when you notice something unusual.
Changes in stool, vomiting, limping, breathing changes, trembling, unusual movements or changes in behaviour can all be useful to document.
You can also note when it started, how often it happens and whether anything else has changed.
You do not need to diagnose the problem yourself.
Document it and show your veterinarian.
A simple photo or video may provide useful context and help your veterinarian better understand what happened at home.
Don’t just look. Touch.
During normal cuddling, grooming, bathing or playtime, gently feel your pet’s body.
Look out for new lumps or bumps, swelling, sensitive areas, stiffness, changes in body condition, or a different reaction when a particular area is touched.
Again, you are not trying to diagnose your pet.
You are simply becoming familiar enough with them to notice when something has changed.
Don’t assume everything is “just old age”
Ageing naturally brings changes.
But sleeping much more, eating differently, losing weight, drinking more, moving less, difficulty jumping or climbing, behavioural changes, reduced grooming or changes in toilet habits should not automatically be dismissed simply because your pet is getting older.
A new change still deserves attention — even in a senior pet.
Observation cannot replace a veterinary examination
As pet parents, we know our pets’ everyday behaviour better than anyone.
But there is also a limit to what we can see from the outside.
A physical examination can provide important information. Depending on your pet’s symptoms, age, medical history and veterinary findings, further investigation such as blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound, urine tests or other tests may sometimes be recommended.
Different tests provide different information, and not every pet needs every test.
The important thing is to communicate openly with your veterinarian and follow the recommendations that are appropriate for your pet.
Remember four simple steps: Know → Notice → Check → Act
Caring for your pet’s health can begin with four simple habits:
KNOW
Know what is normal for your pet.
NOTICE
Notice when something changes.
CHECK
Don’t ignore persistent or worrying changes.
ACT
Seek veterinary advice when something does not feel right.
We cannot prevent every goodbye. But perhaps we can reduce some regrets.
This is something our years in pet aftercare have taught us deeply.
We cannot prevent every illness.
We cannot control every outcome.
When we choose to share our lives with a pet, we also accept that one day we may have to face ageing, illness and eventually goodbye.
We cannot control all of that.
What we can control is what we do while they are still here.
Know them.
Notice the changes.
Go for the check-up when it is needed.
Seek help instead of waiting when something does not feel right.
Not because doing all these things guarantees that our pets will never become ill.
And not because acting earlier will always change the final outcome.
But because when the day eventually comes for us to say goodbye, perhaps we can look back and tell ourselves:
I noticed.
I acted.
I did what I could for them.
Instead of carrying the questions:
“What if I had noticed earlier?”
“What if I had brought them to the vet sooner?”
We cannot avoid every illness.
We cannot avoid every goodbye.
But perhaps, when that day comes, there can be:
fewer “if onlys,”
fewer regrets,
and less guilt about what we could have done.
Healthy Pets, Fewer Regrets.
Loving them is more than simply being there.
It is also about knowing them, caring for them, noticing when something changes, and taking action when they need us most.