In-home Pet Euthanasia Myths: 5 Pet Parent Worries
As a pet parent, you may be so used to taking your fur babies to the vet clinic when they’re sick that you also think they need to be there when it’s time to say goodbye. Yes, the clinic is likely the best place, especially if they’re diagnosed with something serious that needs treatment. But when your pet is nearing the rainbow bridge, the cold, clinical environment may not be the best option for you or them.
In this post, we’ve highlighted 5 main worries that pet parents share with us. We’d like to help explain away these pet euthanasia myths. We’ll cover topics such as: will my pet be scared during at-home euthanasia, whether passing at home is more stressful than in the clinic, and whether pet euthanasia is only for dogs. We’ll also touch on the cost of euthanizing your pet at home and what happens afterward.
Myth #1: “My Pet Will Be Scared During At-Home Euthanasia”
False: When you stay at home, your pet is already relaxed, calm, and comfortable, surrounded by familiar people, things, and smells. They can keep their own bed, have their toys nearby, have some treats they love (if still allowed), rest in your company (even on your lap), and avoid the discomforts we just mentioned.
Dr. Amy will greet you, your family, and any other pets you have around, and she'll get to know the pet she’ll be treating. She often says she actually feels the pet’s sigh of relief when the one she’s coming to see actually sees her arrive. It’s like they know why she’s there, and they immediately relax.
You might wonder: Is pet euthanasia painful? No, they might feel only a tiny pinch from the sedative injection. Once the sedative is administered, your pet will fall into a deep sleep and will feel nothing more.
And Dr. Amy will explain every step of what to expect during pet euthanasia so you understand and have the time you need.
Myth #2: “At-Home Euthanasia Is More Stressful Than Going to the Vet”
False: Your pet has less reason to be scared at home than at the veterinarian’s clinic. Think of all the possible stressors of taking your pet to the vet:
Getting them into the car
The car ride
A rough drive in bad traffic
Arriving at the clinic
Walking into the clinical environment (if they can)
The smells of other sick animals
Remember, your pet can sense your stress even if you don't think you’re showing it.
And that’s just the ‘before’ stressors. What about the ‘after’ ones?
Walking back through the waiting room, with the leash, but without your pet
The drive home
Arriving home alone
The reaction of your other pets or family members
When your pet stays home, the experience is loving, comfortable, private, compassionate, and peaceful for all involved.
Let’s keep moving through these pet euthanasia myths with number 3.
Myth #3: “At-Home Pet Euthanasia Is Only for Dogs”
False: Dr. Amy can also euthanize cats at home. At-home pet euthanasia is often more convenient for cat owners and easier for veterinarians. Obviously, all cats are different, but some cats who are scared of going to a clinic may squeeze into the corner of their carrier, pin themselves to the bottom, hiss, or try to scratch the person trying to get them out.
When cats stay home, like dogs, they stay calmer, more relaxed, and less likely to show self-protective or aggressive behavior.
Myth #4: “At-Home Pet Euthanasia Is Too Expensive”
False: Service prices vary by town and state, but overall, at-home pet euthanasia often costs the same as, or only slightly more than, in-clinic services. And the benefits of staying home are many, as we’ve discussed above.
Why are the fees slightly higher? Though mobile pet euthanasia veterinarians don’t have the expenses of a physical location, they still need to cover several outgoings. The main one is vehicle costs (including purchase, insurance, gas, repairs, tires, windshields, and general upkeep). They also need to cover costs for other medical equipment, time (including travel time for locations outside the normal service area), sedative and euthanasia meds, and crematorium and aftercare fees.
And don’t forget: your pet receives individualized care in their favorite place, with an unhurried appointment and as much information and support as you need about what happens during pet euthanasia at home. Pet euthanasia fees vary based on your choices, your location (are you within Dr. Amy’s service area), whether the appointment is urgent (outside normal service hours incur an additional fee), and sometimes your pet's size. If you have a particularly large dog, you may be charged an additional fee for extra meds and handling.
Now here’s the last of the 5 pet euthanasia myths…
Myth #5: “I'll Have to Figure Out What to Do With My Pet Afterward”
False: Dr. Amy offers several aftercare options, so you don’t have to arrange a burial. Dr. Amy can also arrange cremation for your pet and handle transport. This is a great option if you want full service for your dog or cat.
You have 3 cremation options: communal, individual, and private.
Communal - your pet is cremated with other pets, and their ashes are spread on a beautiful, private Colorado farm.
Individual - your pet is cremated with other pets but separated by partitions so you can receive their ashes.
Private - your pet is cremated alone, and you receive their ashes.
With individual and private options, your fee includes a choice of urn or satin bag for your pet’s ashes, and you can arrange to collect them at your own veterinarian’s office approximately two weeks after euthanasia.
Arranging this service in advance can ease your mind, knowing your pet will receive the best care throughout the experience.
Smashing Pet Euthanasia Myths Gives You A Choice
So, you see, at-home euthanasia offers you another real option for providing end-of-life care. It isn't automatically the right choice for everyone, but now that you understand what pet euthanasia at home actually involves, you can make an informed decision based on your and your family’s preferences.
Now you’ve seen these pet euthanasia myths are exactly that - myths - stories we tell ourselves when we don’t know the answers. That’s why we wanted to share this information with you.
If you’d like to hear Dr. Amy talk about several topics we’ve covered here, click the button below to watch our collection of YouTube Shorts.
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