In-Home Pet Euthanasia

Saying goodbye to a pet is never easy, even when you know in your heart it’s time. For many pet parents, in-home pet euthanasia is the last loving thing they can do for their cat or dog. It’s an option that can ease a pet’s suffering, letting them pass peacefully in the place they love most.

The Benefits of Euthanasia at Home

Your home is where your pet feels safest, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds and scents. While many clinics do their best to accommodate you and your pet, it’s often a noisy environment. It can distract everyone involved and take away from what should be a calm and gentle euthanasia ceremony.

As mobile euthanasia veterinarians, we come to your home, where you and your pet are most comfortable. You don’t have to worry about transporting your cat or dog to the hospital or how stressed your pet will become in a busy clinic setting. Compassionate veterinarians perform the procedure at your pace — nothing is rushed. It’s our goal to make your pet’s passing incredibly loving and peaceful.

Being at home also allows you to grieve privately during an extremely emotional time. We can handle all the aftercare details too, so everything is as streamlined as possible for you.

Do pets feel pain when euthanized?

We perform gentle euthanasia, which is a painless procedure. We first administer a sedative to put pets into a sleepy state. Once the pet is fully relaxed, the doctor administers the euthanasia solution, which is the final step. Pets immediately lose consciousness and their heart and lung function quickly stops, as they cross the rainbow bridge.

What to Expect With At-Home Pet Euthanasia

When you first reach out to us with a phone call, text or email, we’ll provide an end-of-life consultation with a knowledgeable team member. At the appointment, you can expect the following:

Discussion

One of our veterinarians and veterinary assistants will spend some time getting to know you and your pet. Then you can choose a comfortable place for your pet to rest, whether it’s in your lap, in your pet’s bed or any of your pet’s most comfortable spots.

Sedation

When everyone is ready, the first step is an injection of a sedative that completely relaxes your pet. This usually takes effect within 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of your pet.

Euthanasia

Once your pet is completely relaxed, the veterinarian will perform the euthanasia and your pet should pass very peacefully.

Remembrances

There are many ways that you can honor the memory of your pet. During our visit, the veterinarian may create a pawprint keepsake for you. The doctor can also clip a lock of fur from your pet if you’d like that as well.

Aftercare

We can make final arrangements for your pet during the visit. We can provide more details and answer questions about next steps prior to the appointment or during the visit. Or, you can choose another cremation service provider or bury your pet (if legal in your county).

We offer two cremation services:

• Private cremation: If you choose this option, you’ll receive your pet’s ashes back in an urn of your choice.
• Communal cremation: Your pet will be cremated and their ashes spread on your behalf.

If you’d like us to coordinate the cremation, we’ll prepare your pet for transport. Animals are snuggled in a clean blanket and placed in a basket or on a stretcher, depending on the size of the pet.

When is it time to consider euthanasia?

When to euthanize a pet is a question many people agonize over. There’s no cookie-cutter answer since every pet and situation is different. We can help guide you in the decision-making process, but only you know when it’s the right time for your pet and family.

We offer in-home hospice services if you’re not ready for euthanasia, but your pet needs a higher level of care. During this time, we can help you assess whether your pet is losing their quality of life or nearing the end of life. Signs to look for in your pet include:

• A terminal illness that’s getting worse
• Lack of interest in food and water
• Inability to control bowel movements
• Unusual behavior, such as being irritable or less desire to be with others

Consult With a Care Coordinator

If you’d like more information about hospice or cat or dog euthanasia at home, call or text 855-459-1066. Our team of care coordinators can walk you through any of the details or help you make an appointment with a veterinarian. Our compassionate veterinarians are fully trained and experienced in end-of-life care and certified by the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA). We currently provide services for pets in the Phoenix area.