Are there particular signs you notice that tell you it's time for your lil' pet to go on?

I only know of a German Shepard we had once...I was a kid. He got what was like doggie arthritis and could barely walk..his hind legs dragged and he started to get a bit mean, I guess he was in alot of pain...my dad put him down. He's name was Dan...Baron Von Danbe

God, Katz, you had to bring this up. Well, I had to put two of my 4 cat daughters to sleep. Problem was, they never had the chance. Both Magic and Star had dates with Dr. Kevorkian, but they didn't make it. Star was 17, she had an appointment to be euthanized the next day because she had a tumor on her throat, and she died hours before her appointment. Magic, also 17, only 3 days later, same age, I was on my way with her in my truck to bring her to the vet to be put down, and she died only 4 blocks from my house on the way to the vet. Magic and Star were very dear cats to me, and I spent a long time and shared so many happy memories with them. It was a hard experience for me. My other 2 girls, Jasmine and Amber are still with me, and that keeps me going.

ooohhh ya sure............... too many to name I got rid of him!

ooops I wuz talkin bout a MAN!

technically, Katz, I got a little off topic, but I wanted to share. Now, to specifically answer your question, you have a schnauzer. He's not eating, he sleeps all of the time, he doesn't poop or pee like he used to, he is constantly digging his ears, and he has a few lumps on his body, well, I'd take him to the vet first and see if there is anything they can do for him as long as it doesn't cost $25,000, and if the prognosis is bleak, I would do the right thing and end my dog's suffering, as much as it would cause me to suffer at making this decision.

Struggling to keep up or walk,every pet has a smile no matter what (its what makes them beautiful)..but when its suffering with a smile it just means it appreciating every moment with you,but suffering.Do whats right for the animal,not whats right for self conscience

Having had animals all of my life,I can say,when the time comes you will know. Everyone can tell you it is time,however,the one who knows the best is your pet,and he or she will give you the look to let you know the time has come. This is one of the hardest times as a pet owner because we all live with the self-serving bias of not wanting to let go,however,the day will come when we just know we must.

Actually, it's not my lil' Schnauzer it's a little old (13+) Persian cat I rescued last year. She still eats and drinks but is indiscriminate about where she goes potty. She will wake up and meow a couple times and looks around looking confused. She barfs a lot and sneeze-coughs. She has scabs on her back probably due to immune deficiency. She has a crabby face because she's Persian so it's hard to tell if she's happy. I guess if she's eating she's okay for now. Thanks everybody. I didn't mean to bum anybody out or bring back sad memories.

Plus, they want $65.00 to send her to Kitty Heaven! But I will do that for her when it's time because it't the kind thing to do.

out west we have a saying "you got to shoot your own dog"

meaning that is a responsibility that you shouldn't give to someone else to do (it also applies to life in general and not just pets)

its just a balance of how much pain they are in versus how much you dont want them to go. some people keep their pets hanging on long past when they should have died just because they can't stand to see em go.
and some people put em down when there is hardly any reason

my ex step daughter saved a chocolate lab from the vet because someone wanted it put down cause it dug holes in their yard. She still has him and he has been a great dog for her

sometimes if a cat is peeing or pooping in weird places its because they are trying to tell you something is wrong

they don't realize that we can't smell their urine and know their feelings and health from it. and if they are peeing in weird places its because they want you to smell it and realize that they are sick

sometimes

and sometimes they are just being shiitheads. we dumbazz humans are suppose to know the difference

I had to have 2 seperate dogs put down, at different times, because they tried to bite people. I've never had to have one put down for health reasons, but when they can't hold their bladder and bowel, or if apetite decreases, or if they are getting sores that don't heal, or anything else changes, it's time to at least see the vet to see if there is anything that can be done to help. If the vet says that the problem will only get worse, or if treatments don't help, it's probably time. Not an easy decision, no matter what the reasons.

By what you said she was doing and the symptoms she has sounds like she needs to see a vet...

If your pet is in great pain w/no chance of getting better its time. If they are just old,then mine have always just given me a look that said "PLEASE RELEASE FROM MY TIRED OLD BODY" I know sounds dumb but if you are close w/your pet they will let you know. Either way playing GOD w/your pets life REALLY SUCKS!! :(

I'm sorry to hear about your cat. But only a vet knows for sure if your feline still has a few good years left, or that you may have to euthanize her so she doesn't suffer if indeed she is suffering.

I had a 14 year old shepard/wolf mix that fought cancer for 2 years before she had a stroke, I could see in her eyes it was time to go!!