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There's nothing more devastating than saying farewell to a pet - particularly when you sense your time together has been unfairly shortened.

But one vet is encouraging owners to "do the right thing" regarding their pet's quality of life, even if it requires making an extraordinarily difficult decision.

On TikTok, the small animal vet, who goes by @thingscanonlygetvetter online, posted an emotional message for pet owners grappling with the reality of parting with their furry companion.

He explained: "As a small animal vet, quality of life conversations are frequent and here are a few things that I ask owners to consider when discussing whether it's the right time to put their pet to sleep.

"Firstly, do the bad days outweigh the good? If we're having to go through several bad days just to get one good one, then that might not represent a good quality of life."

He subsequently urged owners to consider whether their pet continues enjoying the activities they previously adored.

The expert asked: "Do they do the things they used to? Does the cat look at birds and want to chase them? Does the dog want to go on walks? Do they want to see you when you get up?

"Do they want their food? Do they get excited? Or are they just existing? Finally, is any time left for them, or is it for us?"

The vet clarified that unlike humans, animals don't contemplate the future - they merely exist in the present - meaning they could continue experiencing discomfort without comprehending why.

He continued: "If a pet has incredibly little quality of life, it's incredibly important to remember they have very little concept of the future. They don't stick around because they want to live another two or three months - that's not something that crosses their mind.

"They know exactly the discomfort they are in at that time and how they feel in that moment. Is it fair to let them wake up every day and endure that discomfort?

"Remember, if you're not sure, talk to your vet. We do this all day, every day, and there's nothing more important to us than the welfare of our patients.

"It is a discussion worth having. You'll never be pressured one way or the other, but we can give you solid advice."

Responding to the footage, one viewer remarked: "Absolutely agree with what you say. I've had many dogs and it's never easy, but you have to be mindful of what's best for your pet. This is paramount."

A second viewer noted: "My sister is struggling with this at the moment. She is in constant contact with her vet."

While a third shared a touching experience: "Our vet was phenomenal when we had to say goodbye to our dog. We even got a beautiful card with his paw prints. He's been gone a year and we framed the card."