End-of-life care for your pet can be overwhelming. Our veterinary team is here to help. Below are some answers to our most common questions. Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is home euthanasia and why choose it?
Home euthanasia allows your pet to be in a familiar and comfortable environment during their final moments, reducing stress and anxiety. It’s the most peaceful and compassionate choice when saying goodbye to a beloved companion.
How do I know if it's the right time?
Deciding when the time is right can be a deeply difficult and emotional process. Assessing your pet’s quality of life can be very challenging for both pet families and veterinarians. Their quality of life will depend on their personality as well as their individual disease process. It is important to talk with your veterinarian about your pet’s illness and the most likely outcome for their disease. The following resources include articles and checklists designed to provide guidance and support, helping you feel more informed and at peace with the decision to say goodbye.
“Lap of Love” is a veterinary hospice and in-home euthanasia service throughout the US. They provide amazing free resources about end-of-life care.
How Will I Know It’s Time To Say Goodbye?
Lap of Love: Pet Quality of Life Scale – Online Form
Lap of Love: Pet Quality of Life Scale – Printable Form
Lap of Love: Quality of Life Assessment – Online form
Lap of Love: Daily Tracker – Printable form
“Veterinary Wisdom” provides pet memorial products for dogs and cats. They have excellent resources to support pet parents with when and how to say goodbye.
Our Resources
Is It Time To Consider Pet Hospice or Euthanasia? A Helpful Checklist for Pet Parents
Making the Decision to Euthanize Your Pet
If you are finding it difficult to make decisions regarding euthanasia, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Having a veterinarian evaluate your pet and take the time to discuss their quality of life—along with your goals and concerns—can provide valuable clarity and support. You are not alone in this process, and we are here to help guide you through it.
What should I expect during the in-home euthanasia visit?
Every in-home euthanasia looks a little different. Think about where you and your pet are most comfortable being. Sometimes this is in a bed by the fire, next to a sunny window or outside under a favorite tree. Our priority is ensuring you and your pet feel comfortable so we leave this part up to you.
When we arrive, we will introduce ourselves and meet all family members (both 2 and 4-legged) who are there. We explain the euthanasia process and allow time for you to ask any questions you may have.
We then give a pain relief and sedation medication, which is usually given under the skin, similar to a vaccination. Where this medication is given will depend on the pet’s position and where they are experiencing pain, if applicable.
It generally takes between 5 and 15 minutes for your pet to gently fall into a deep sleep.
Once your pet is calm and relaxed, we will gently assess their veins to determine the most appropriate location for administering the second medication. In pets who are older or medically fragile, veins can be delicate, so we may choose an alternative site with a reliable blood supply. Regardless of the location, you can be reassured that your pet will be fully asleep and will not experience any pain.
If a suitable vein is identified, we will clip a small area of fur—typically on a leg—to allow for placement of the medication. This medication is a concentrated anesthetic that acts on the brain and ultimately allows the heart to stop peacefully. Depending on your pet’s condition and the site of administration, the medication may take effect more quickly or more gradually.
We will then carefully listen to their heart to ensure they’ve passed.
You can be with your beloved pet at all times throughout this process. Afterwards, we can make any memorial items of your beloved pet for you to keep.
Does euthanasia hurt?
No, the euthanasia itself is not painful. Sometimes pets may react to the fine needle used for sedation, but it’s gentler than the needle for a blood test or a routine vaccination. We do everything in our power to minimise this stress, and pets are usually quite comfortable at home. Feel free to speak to our team if your pet is needle-phobic and we can explore ways to keep them comfortable together.
What happens afterwards?
Families often wish to spend some time with their pet after they have passed. This is very individual and can range from a few minutes to many hours. We allow 60-90 minutes for euthanasia visits, so if you would like to spend longer with your pet, and would like us to organize cremation, please let us know. We will work alongside you and your family to ensure you have enough time and don’t feel rushed.
There are three main options for aftercare of your pet.
- The first is that they remain with you for an in-home burial.
- The second option is that they are sent for individual cremation and their ashes are returned to you. We work closely with both of the crematoriums in the local area (Furever Family Pet Cremations and Rainbow Bridge of Georgia Pet Cremations) and know they treat your pet with the utmost care and dignity.
If you would like to read more about either of these crematoriums you can visit their websites below. Unless specified by you, we will send your beloved companion to the crematorium closest to you.
Furever Family Pet Cremations: http://www.fureverfamilypetcremations.com
Rainbow Bridge of Georgia Pet Cremations: http://www.rainbowbridgeofga.com
3. Thirdly, some pet parents do not wish to have their pets’ ashes back and in that case communal cremation can be arranged.
