 | Performed at a Veterinarian's Office: $50-$100 |
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 | At-Home Euthanasia: $295-$400 |
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 | Aftercare, Including Cremation: $400-$800 |
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| Pet euthanasia is a planned death, usually by painless injection. Owners may choose euthanasia for pets that have reached the end of a comfortable, happy life, have physical problems for which the treatment is too expensive, or are vicious or otherwise unmanageable. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Euthanasia performed in a veterinary office costs between $50 and $100.
- At-home euthanasia, when the veterinarian comes to the home to perform the euthanasia, costs between $295 and $400.
- Euthanasia that includes aftercare, or transporting the pet's remains to a facility for cremation and with the ashes either scattered or returned in an urn, costs between $400 and $800.
- Price depends on the size of the pet, what is included and the availability of the service in the region.
What should be included: | - The veterinarian may first administer a tranquilizer to relax the pet before injecting a death-inducing drug. The dog or cat will then become unconscious as the drug stops its brain function.
- Euthanasia is a medical procedure and has traditionally been performed at a veterinarian's office. The owner may choose to be present to be present during the procedure.
- At-home euthanasia is an increasingly popular option. It is considered a more comfortable passing for the pet because the pet's last moments are spent in a familiar place. The procedure may precede or follow a celebration of life ceremony.
- There are a few considerations before going through with euthanasia, such as whether to be present and whether to sedate the pet.
Additional costs: | - The pet's remains may be buried in the backyard for free or at a pet cemetery for between $500 and $730. Cats and small dogs cost less and burial for large dogs typically costs more. Caskets range from $90 to $145.
- The pet's remains may be cremated, either by itself of as part of a group . Group cremation, in which the pet's remains are cremated with several other pets costs about $125. Individual cremation costs about $285. For more information, see How Much Does Pet Cremation Cost.
- Once cremated, a pet's ashes can be scattered or placed in an urn or decorative vase. BestFriendServices.com, for example, makes urns that cost between $25 and $200 and come in wood, ceramic and metal varieties.
- Quirkier options for the pet's remains include a ceremonial balloon ash disposal, offered by Eternal Ascent for $250. The ashes are put in a balloon that is then filled with helium; the family would let the balloon into the sky wherever they want the ashes to be scattered.
Shopping for pet euthanasia: | - Consider the grief involved in putting an animal to sleep, especially for a child. Have a solid reasoning behind why the pet must be put down, and be ready to explain the reasoning to children who are close to the pet.
- Home burials may be prohibited by the local government, so check city codes before doing so.
- InHomePetEuthanasia is a directory of in-home pet euthanasia providers.
- The American Veterinary Medicine Association has a vet finder tool.
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Article updated October 2010 |
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